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National Older Americans Month

(Education, Health) Permanent link

by Louis King

May is National Older Americans Month,” and no other group is more important or contributive to society and our communities. The wisdom of our older citizens is invaluable and unfortunately sometimes goes unnoticed, as is the work of many compassionate non-profit organizations who work tirelessly to support this special and growing population.

In your own way during May, please join Spirit Mountain Community Fund in honoring older Americans by publicly acknowledging their important community contributions and concurrently recognizing the many non-profit organizations such as Forest Grove Senior Center (http://www.fgseniorcenter.org/) who work laboriously to provide comprehensive services that foster the well-being and dignity of our seniors.

FGSCThe Forest Grove Senior Center, located within the rolling hills of Forest Grove, Oregon is a center of caring. We care for our community’s senior citizens by providing them with hot meals, outreach programs, and fun activities that promote and contribute to their good health, general welfare, and social involvement.

From our humble beginnings in 1971, to our current facility today, the Senior Center has always been a second home to many seniors. They come to eat, learn, exercise, take field trips, volunteer, dance, and enjoy the company of others. They also come to experience new things, from acupuncture treatments to computer classes, two of many services we offer that help them feel healthy and engaged in life.

FGSC Mission:

Fighting elder abuse through education and intervention.
To match services to the needs of the aging community.
To enable older adults and people with disabilities to maximize their independence, self-sufficiency and dignity by advocating for their basic needs and helping them access essential services.

For more information about FGSC, please visit their webpage (link listed above) or contact them by mail or phone @:

Forest Grove Senior Center
P.O. Box 784
2037 Douglas Street
Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
 

503-357-2021 or 503-357-7910

Fax: 503-357-5544

 

Posted by kluane baer at 05/13/2009 05:31:28 PM | 


Metropolitan Family Service (MFS) relies on the wisdom of our older adult volunteers through our Experience Corps and Foster Grandparent programs. These national programs connect older adults with children in schools, head start programs, and child care settings. MFS has been the proud sponsor of the Foster Grandparent Program since 1977 and Experience Corps since 1995.

Today, more than 50 Experience Corps volunteers serve in teams at 11 schools in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties. These volunteers seek to improve literacy skills for students, increase academic achievement, and develop a bond between the school and its neighborhood community. Each week volunteers contribute 12-15 hours of service and touch the lives of over 1,800 children each year. The Foster Grandparent program serves more than 30 community partners in the tri-county area. Last year, 50 Foster Grandparents served a minimum of 15 hours/week as individual mentors and positive role models working one-on-one with 250 special-needs children.

Metropolitan Family Service also places great value on helping older adults remain independent in the community. Last year, our Project Linkage program volunteers provided over 21,000 rides to medical appointments and shopping; assisted older adults with daily activities through 900 friendly visits; and connected with isolated older adults through over 4,500 phone calls. Our agency is the grateful recipient of a Spirit Mountain grant which will help us to continue this invaluable service next year.

Older adults who wish to volunteer in our programs can contact Heather Pruess at 503.249.8215, extension 22. Older adults who need rides to shopping or medical appointments and live in our service area (Columbia River to Clackamas County border and Willamette River to E 162nd Avenue) can call the Project Linkage office, 503.249.0471.
Posted by: Marj Cannon ( Email: | Visit ) at 5/18/2009 5:09 PM


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