2024 Senior Fellows Civic Commitments

The Senior Fellows Program has begun and we are so excited to welcome 28 remarkable older adults committed to enhancing healthy aging in Rhode Island. Throughout 8 weeks, this group will gain knowledge and expand their networks in the healthy aging space to tackle various challenges such as transportation, food insecurity, healthcare, housing, and more through Civic Commitments.

What’s a Civic Commitment? This year, class members will broaden their civic engagement by partnering with local organizations to work on initiatives that will have lasting and meaningful impacts on the well-being of older adults in Rhode Island. These 6-month long service commitments aim to provide avenues for our Fellows to share their vision and voice with the community, and help create a state that supports and empowers older adults.

 

Age & Dementia-Friendly Action Planning

Senior Fellows, Kathy Trier and Roland Moussally will identify partners and resources that could promote “Dementia-Friendly” initiatives within communities that are interested in achieving (or might already have) Age Friendly recognition. They will implement activities inspired by Dementia Friendly America’s Toolkit.

 

 

 

 

 

Life Enrichment for PACE Participants

Social interactions increase the quality of life for PACE participants who often struggle with isolation. Senior Fellows, Cathy Edington, Ginger Lallo, and Elain McGraw will attend PACE locations and engage with partipcations through activities such as exercise, art, and education.

 

 

Livable Communities Volunteer Team

This project will focus on identifying and mitigating livable community issues throughout Rhode Island. Senior Fellows, Mary Ann Shallcross Smith and Ray Pouliot will identify communities interested in conducting walking audits, green and complete streets work, and other age friendly activities.

 

State Plan Implementation Plan

The State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders 2024-2029 was released in January 2024. The Rhode Island Department of Health will create an “Implementation Plan” of the State Plan. Senior Fellows, Joe McCarthy, Gary Avigne, and Brian Grossguth will lead and participate in workgroups, attend monthly Advisory Council meetings, and report progress that will advance this implementation plan.

 

 

 

 

Member and Volunteer Event Creation

Senior Fellows, Wendy Oliver, Kim Stowell, and Ernie Balasco will create and implement events for older adults across villages at The Village Common of RI with a focus on ensuring the events are diverse, bilingual (English and Spanish), and inclusive. These events advance healthy aging by encouraging meaningful connections to combat social isolation and loneliness, fostering cross-cultural understanding and community growth, and providing a bilingual platform for older adults to learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 

 

 

 

Coventry Community Garden 

Senior Fellows, Paula Marcello and Patty Cotoia will volunteer at The Coventry Community Garden, growing organic produce and providing access to fresh, healthy food that promotes overall well-being, and connections among community members. All of the fruits and vegetables harvested will be donated to the Coventry Community Food Bank and help feed our neighbors in need.

 

 

Livable Communities Volunteer Team

Senior Fellows, Vince Burks, Barry Couto, Deb Perry, Ray Pouliot, Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, and Janis Solomon will partner alongside AARP RI to work on livable community issues throughout the state including walking audits, green and complete street work, and other age-friendly activities.

 

 

Senior & Disability Services Volunteer

Through improving resource availability and intake time at their call center, Senior Fellow, Jorge Matesanz, will assist the Senior & Disability Services program at United Way of Rhode Island in their mission to ensure that every individual has the services they need to live a healthy and supported life.

 

 

Meals on Wheels of RI Volunteer

Senior Fellow, Nancy Worthen, will work with Meals on Wheels of RI to help homebound older adults and other at-risk Rhode Island residents receive increased access to adequate nutrition, safety assurances, and socialization, reducing their risk for loss of independent living and helping our clients age in place.

 

Age-Friendly Work in the Community

Senior Fellows, Jodi L. Glass, Patricia Raskin, Phil Kuehne, Guy Alba, Kathie Jackson, and Peter Duggan will form a task force to help advance the work of Age-Friendly RI in their communities. Bringing fellow residents, municipal leaders, and non-profit agencies to the table, they will examine the well-being of older adults in their communities and create a plan to address the needs of fellow 62+ residents.

 

 

Senior Agenda Coalition of RI – Strategic Plan Update

Senior Fellow, Jim McNulty, will assist the Senior Agenda Coalition of RI (SACRI) in updating their strategic plan for the next five years. McNulty will conduct research of other relevant strategic plans in RI, review the accomplishments of SACRI’s previous plan, and work with members of the SACRI board to make these recommendations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A huge thank you goes out to our generous partners and sponsors, Age Friendly RI and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. We’re grateful for your support in our collective mission to empower older adults to flourish in their communities. Thank you for being champions of healthy aging!