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Older Adults Are Stars at Spring Community Dialogue

 

As part of a panel at the Mandel Center’s Spring Community Dialogue entitled “Older Adults:  Connected, Contributing and Vital,” Minnie Vaughan’s eyes sparkle when she talked about being able to attend programs at University Settlement in the city’s North Broadway/Slavic Village neighborhood.  “I can’t drive, but the bus picks me up and off I go. It’s fun!”

Like dozens of older adults, Mrs. Vaughan is now able to attend Settlement programs, grocery shop, conduct banking and keep doctor’s appointments thanks to a collaboration begun earlier this year between Senior Transportation Connection, University Settlement and Slavic Village.

Doris Thomas, a volunteer with RSVP, told the audience that her tutoring work with children at Rockefeller School in Cleveland helped her cope through a recent health issue. RSVP Executive Director said that Ms. Thomas’ story supports national research that extols the potential health benefit that volunteering brings to seniors who volunteer.

Luther Smith, a long-time resident of E. 79-Cedar area, is a Board member and program participant at Senior Outreach Services. He spoke with pride about the program and its recent move to the dramatically remodeled Langston Hughes Library at East 79th and Quincy. Executive Director Delores Lynch reported that the organization serves about 500 older adults each month through its array of offerings.

Debra Mouton, a New Orleans native, talked about how a microloan from WECO Fund helped launch Just Gumbo, a business that features her family’s Creole gumbo recipes.  “I was able to pursue my long-time dream,” she stated.

“She’s proof that it’s never too late to start your own business, added Christine Henry, Executive Director of WECO Fund.             

The audience of nonprofit, government, business and foundation leaders, including many executive directors and Board members asked questions about and discussed ways to better serve the area’s older adults.

According to Michele Murphy, Director of Professional Development Programs at the Mandel Center, “Community Dialogues allow us to feature the outstanding work of nonprofit organizations affiliated with the Mandel Center. This work goes largely unnoticed by the media. This is our effort to showcase them and win greater awareness and support for the area’s nonprofit organizations.”

There are also unanticipated benefits that result from participating in these community programs. Murphy says that RSVP reported that they had inquiries about volunteering, Debra Mouton ran out of order forms for purchases of Gumbo and several directors were discussing how to continue to dialogue about possible collaborations.

Murphy explained that the focus for the Spring Dialogue was easily determined.
“I was aware of the wonderful work of these nonprofits due to their participation in our Leaders’ Links program (the Center’s peer-learning program for Executive Directors/CEOs and facilitated by Murphy). She then invited a group of Executive Directors to help her plan the program. They are: Joy Banish, RSVP-Cleveland; Delores Lynch, Senior Outreach Services-Cleveland; Renee Berry, Lake County Council on Aging; Allison Wallace, Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association; Christine Henry, WECO Fund; Tracey Mason, University Settlement; and Janice Dzigiel, Senior Transportation Connection.

The Center’s next Community Dialogue will be in the fall.