Hello Empowered Aging Family,
Thank you for joining us for a new edition of our newsletter and another chance for us to share what is going on with our life-saving work. At Empowered Aging, volunteers are vital to our mission. As community members, they are the voice for change, and when they dedicate their time to the older adults and adults with disabilities we serve, they are putting that into action, driving change forward. Our ability to serve, and our ability to expand our reach, is stronger based on the generosity of those who donate their time as Ombudsman volunteers. The great thing about being a volunteer is that you don’t need special skills. You simply need a desire to uplift and encourage those who might need a bit of extra support, and a willingness to let our staff teach you what you need to know to make a difference at Empowered Aging.
I was raised in a family that took the time to give back to the local community. Although my schedule is a bit jam-packed these days, I can’t remember a time when I haven’t jumped at the chance to be involved. My very first “official” volunteer position was as a candy striper at a local hospital when I was 15! Am I dating myself? Probably, but it was a moving experience to interact with patients, support care efforts, and help the staff. A volunteer position led to my first paid role years ago, working for a nonprofit that served the elder population, so community service and giving back holds a very special place in my heart.
This month’s newsletter will highlight some of our open volunteer opportunities, specifically for the long-term care ombudsman position. Our team needs help in all three counties, Contra Costa, Solano, and Alameda, so if you or someone you know is able to share the gift of time supporting residents in long-term care, we want to hear from you! Visit EmpoweredAging.org/Volunteer to learn more, or feel free to email us at Info@EmpoweredAging.org. We’re also excited to introduce you to our new board members and provide an update on the See Me. Hear Me. campaign, among other news.
If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out or have them contact our team by calling 925.658.2070.
Best wishes,
Susannah Meyer
Executive Director
Speaking of volunteers dedicated to the Empowered Aging cause, our board of directors, along with Executive Director Susannah Meyer, recently gathered for a Saturday retreat dedicated to planning, exploring, and strategizing on behalf of the agency’s future and the people we serve.
“We would like to thank John Muir Community Health Fund and La Piana Consulting for their support in facilitating this working session,” Susannah stated. “The Empowered Aging board is a group of well-rounded and skilled advocates for our organization and older and dependent adults in the community. Our board governs in an intentional and forward-thinking manner with a focus on the future of elder care and elder justice. They are also dedicated to continuous evaluation and improvement as a body to ensure Empowered Aging is always fulfilling its mission.”
Among board attendees were three new members – strategic thinkers and hands-on leaders committed to strengthening our organization through contributions to long-term success.
Jen Gray is the Director of Home Preservation at Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley. Her team administers low-income, local, state, and federal government-funded owner-occupied rehabilitation programs throughout Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara Counties. Individuals served via these programs are primarily seniors, the majority of whom are female, have disabilities, and live alone.
Jen has over 25 years of experience in the private and nonprofit sectors. She brings a holistic perspective to her endeavors due to her diverse background in technology, sales and marketing, fundraising, residential construction, and nonprofit management.
“My passion for helping low-income seniors age in place arose when, despite being young and able-bodied, I struggled as a single female homeowner. Through that experience, I was thankfully led to Empowered Aging as I understood the challenges faced by those aging, disabled, and on a fixed income. I’m honored to have this opportunity and am excited to continue to serve so many people in need.”
Will Dow is a health economics professor in the Health Policy & Management division at the University of California–Berkeley School of Public Health and the Department of Demography. He directs the UC Berkeley Center on the Economics and Demography of Aging and is a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Previously, Will served as senior economist for health at the White House Council of Economic Advisers and has worked with both Democratic and Republican groups on health policy at the federal, state, and local levels. Dow’s academic research elucidates economic determinants of healthy aging in the United States and other OECD countries and emerging economies. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University and lives with his wife, Chika in Contra Costa County, where they raised their three children.
Jakaria Stewart currently serves as a Principal Improvement Consultant at Stanford Healthcare. Her book of business includes supporting teams with development efforts in both the inpatient and ambulatory settings, coaching improvement projects, teaching improvement systems and tactics, and serving as a thought partner for healthcare leaders. Her strategic lens is often utilized through the facilitation of planning, goal setting, and performance management, as well as with change management, teaming, and the development of leaders.
Before joining Stanford Healthcare, Jakaria spent over ten years at Kaiser Permanente, transforming operations in clinical and operational spaces, which drove increased quality and efficiency.
“With over 20 years of experience in coaching executives, athletes, emerging individuals, teams, and teaching improvement, I have found myself reenergized by the possibility of new growth. I look forward to bringing diversity of thought, passion for people, and drive for executing effectively to this new board appointment with Empowered Aging!”
Jakaria, her daughter, and their fur babies reside in the Bay Area.
Expanding Our Reach in Alameda County
In addition to our board members, we would also like to welcome our new Regional Supervisor in Alameda County, Paris Terrell. Paris is an integral part of expanding our reach as we move forward in the next phase of our growth. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she has built a career out of her passion for social equality and ensuring that everyone is seen and heard regardless of economic status.
Prior to working at Empowered Aging, Paris was a Facilities Superintendent for a pilot program spearheaded by FEMA through Napa County. The agency’s mission was to ensure the health and safety of at-risk communities during COVID, focusing on providing support and resources to those struggling with mental health and addiction. She also worked at Kaiser Permanente for six years, where she was responsible for delivering personalized nutrition plans and managing restrictions for patients with severe health issues.
“When I started caring for my ailing grandfather, I felt drawn to begin advocacy work for older adults and adults with disabilities. As a society we don’t understand just how underserved these populations are. When I came across the opportunity at Empowered Aging, I jumped at the chance to apply my skill set.”
In her spare time, Paris enjoys spending time with family, networking, and being a light in people’s lives.
Ombudsman Volunteers Needed!
Thanks to the generosity and big hearts of our volunteers, we’re able to provide extra support, education, and vital engagement to older adults and adults with disabilities throughout our communities every day. Helene is an ombudsman volunteer who has been with our team since 2012. Thank you, Helene, for the voice and confidence you provide to so many residents in long-term care, encouraging them to speak up and speak out for themselves and others. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our team of ombudsman volunteers, please get in touch with us. We need your help! To learn more or to apply, please visit https://EmpoweredAging.org/Volunteer.
What Does See Me. Hear Me. Mean to You?
“I’ve enjoyed being an ombudsman; it gives me a chance to reach out to people in our community who feel like they don’t have a voice. I can help people discover their rights and empower them to put those rights to use.”
-Helene Billeci, Empowered Aging Volunteer
“See Me. Hear Me. is a powerful reminder that the Golden Rule applies to every life stage.”
-William Dow, Empowered Aging Board Member
“If we’re lucky, aging is an inevitable unifier. Yet disparities exist in the quality of care, and thus, in quality of life for many. Often, those who are unseen struggle most of all. See me. Hear me. is a rallying cry for recognition, for awareness, and for support. Aging shouldn’t mean becoming invisible.”
-Jen Gray, Empowered Aging Board Member
It Takes a Village
As Kiev points out in this clip from our latest episode of Empowered Aging Live, volunteerism is about community. It’s about all of us coming together from all walks of life to serve and change lives. At Empowered Aging, we’re doing the work that we need to do to meet the need, but we know the potential is so much greater. Our aging population is growing, along with the number of people who need to be seen and heard, and that’s why we need your help. Please get in touch with us and join our team of volunteers in either Alameda, Contra Costa, or Solano Counties. To learn more, please visit https://EmpoweredAging.org/Volunteer, or email us at Info@EmpoweredAging.org.
Participation Requested! The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults is Now Live!
Calling all older adults! The first-ever statewide needs assessment for Californians ages 55 and older has officially launched. Known as the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA), this survey allows users to voice needs and preferences to improve programs, supports, and services that cater to and meet the unique needs of the aging population across California. Experts meticulously design CASOA, which is backed by unwavering statistical rigor. All responses are confidential. We encourage ALL aging adults to take this survey to ensure their voice is heard! To participate, please follow this link.
*CASOA is available online in multiple languages – English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi, and Arabic. If you need technical support accessing the survey, please email us at: casoa@polco.us. For any other questions about the survey, please call 916-970-9948.
Empowered Aging is Hiring!
Empowered Aging is looking for kind, compassionate, driven, and service-oriented people to join our team in Alameda County. If you are dedicated to protecting the quality of life for older adults, then we want to hear from you. For more information on our current job openings and to apply, please visit our job listings.
Know someone else who fits the bill? Feel free to share the link to our career portal.
Want to Stay Connected with Our Executive Director and All the Things Happening at Our Organization? Download Susannah’s contact information below right to your phone. If you or someone you know needs help, is looking for the right resources, or has questions, please get in touch.
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