Blogging Archives - Read. Think. Act.

NVFS CARE Awards with Stephanie Berkowitz and George Lane

(Oct. 31, 2018) Catherine Read interviews Stephanie Berkowitz, Executive Director of Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) along with George Lane, chair of the NVFS CARE Awards Advisory Committee. They discuss the 23 year history of the NVFS Care Awards, what makes an employer eligible for an award, along with the upcoming awards event in November.

Dating back to 1992, the NVFS Care Awards have been given to employers in the Northern Virginia region who demonstrate a great deal of emphasis on investment in employees, as well as best practices regarding making work “family friendly”. NVFS noticed an increased level of work related stress, and wanted to raise awareness amongst employers that their work policies could have a direct impact on employees and their families. NVFS also had the goal of promoting the fact that it is more profitable to invest in employees and retain them, as high employee turnover can be costly to the bottom line.

When the awards were established, many of the policies revolved around flexible work schedules and telecommuting, which was new thanks to the advent of the Internet. Over the years other goals have been added, such as low cost health insurance, flexible work schedules, strong work/life balance, and new this year corporate social responsibility. Studies have shown that employees really want their employers to be good corporate citizens, and give back to the community and are socially engaged.

Additionally, now that the workforce employs people from multiple generations, a flexible work schedule can mean more than just working from home. A millennial might want to leverage technology to get their work done remotely, a baby boomer might want to work four, ten hour days and have an extra day off and a Gen X-er might need more flexibility to come in late or leave early for their children’s activities at school, or to accompany an elderly parent to the doctor. It is important for employers to remain flexible and understanding to their employees’ needs, while still maintaining business and ensuring that work is able to get done in a timely manner.

In order to be eligible for an NVFS Care Award, an employer must go through a rigorous 3-part process. First they must submit a written application, then their employees take a survey, and finally someone from the NVFS Care Awards advisory committee will do a site visit. Where they used to only award one winner to each category of business, the awards have evolved over time and NVFS now grants awards to all employers who meet the objectives.

This year there are 23 companies receiving awards, and the winners will be recognized at the NVFS Care Awards Breakfast on November 8^th at the Sheraton Premier in Tysons Corner. The morning will begin at 7:30am with a networking opportunity for businesses, where they can talk and discuss best practices. They will then get down to business with the recognitions. Berkowitz and Lane are thrilled to award 13-time winner National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and 10-time winners Custom Ink and Consumer Technology Association their awards, along with the other 20 companies who will be getting called up. They will also host an Community Engagement Panel discussion moderated by Charlie Niebauer of the Washington Business Journal, and featuring Charles Kuhn of JK Moving and Storage, Sheila Murphy of Flex Professionals, and Darcy Smith of Custom Ink.

by Rachel Simon

Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) of Greater Washington

(Oct. 24, 2018) Catherine Read sits down with Barbara Guterman, Board Member of Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN). KEEN’s mission is to empower youth with disabilities by providing free, non-competitive, one to one programs of exercise, fitness and fun led by volunteer coaches. Their vision is to foster self confidence, self esteem and community inclusion for youth with disabilities, strengthen communities through education and volunteers, and provide families with respite and a supportive network.

Elliot Portnoy, who imported the concept of the organization from England 26 years ago, established KEEN with 5 kids and 5 volunteers. His vision was to have a world where all youth have equal opportunities for recreation, fitness and friendship – regardless of their abilities. KEEN believes that a strong, healthy body and mind are connected to one another, and KEEN gives kids of all abilities a safe place to explore, try new things and have fun at the same time.

The organization has grown exponentially since 1992, and now serves approximately 500 kids throughout the Washington metro area. KEEN recently opened up new locations in Virginia, and is actively looking for more opportunities to grow their partnerships in the Virginia suburbs. They are in search of schools, community centers and companies who can help them grow their programming and volunteer base in order to serve more children.

Guterman speaks passionately about the strong bonds and friendships formed between the volunteer coaches and the athletes who they train. The unique aspect of having 1:1 ratio enables these bonds to grow deep and strong. They get to know one another, and very much look forward to the time that they spend together every week. This program also serves as a wonderful respite for parents, who sometimes just need a break to grocery shop or rest with a cup of coffee, while their child gets worn out while exercising. Many times these children might not have any other opportunity to participate in an extracurricular exercise program, so both parents and kids very much look forward to the weekly KEEN sessions.

The KEEN website has a full calendar of sessions, so parents can simply signup online to bring their child to a session. There is no cost involved in this program. Likewise, anyone looking to volunteer can register online, and then get paired with a local session. All first time volunteers get a 15-20 introductory training, as well as receiving a written profile of your athlete. This helps you understand your athlete and how to best work with them.

Guterman is the chair of the annual KEENFest gala, to be held on November 3^rd at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. This year’s theme is KEEN’s Got Talent, and will showcase a number of their athletes who will perform everything from singing to dancing to a fashion show. The kids are extremely excited to participate in the program and showcase their talents. She is expecting over 400 people, and is extraordinarily grateful to their sponsors Marriott and Total Wine. Gutenberg welcomes anyone who would like to join them for this special evening or sponsor the program. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities can be found on the website.

by Rachel Simon

Optimist Club of Greater Vienna with Susan Bauer

(Oct. 17, 2018) Catherine Read sits down with Susan Bauer, President of the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna. The Optimist Club is a community service club, fueled by volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to serve the youth of the greater Vienna area. The club focuses its attention on students attending James Madison, Marshall and Oakton High Schools, and the feeder schools in their pyramids. Founded in 1955, the club is 63 years young and continues to focus on its mission of “bringing out the best in youth, the community and ourselves”.

JOI (Junior Optimist International) clubs in the local schools enjoy healthy memberships and robust programming. These community service school groups, ranging from elementary to high school, organize service projects that are completely run by the students. Typical projects include coat drives, food drives and a variety of projects outside the schools within the greater Vienna community. At the end of every year, these groups come together and make presentations on their accomplishments. This is a wonderful opportunity for groups to learn about success stories, and has led to collaboration between student groups at various schools and age groups.

Throughout the year, the Optimists sponsor and participate in a variety of community service events. One of the largest events each year is the sponsorship and participation in Ethics Day at Marshall High School. Volunteers work as table captains and support high school students in understanding the importance of ethics in their day-to-day lives. They also sponsor an oratory contest for students, an essay contest, and new this year a communications contest for the deaf and hard of hearing. All of these events are designed to help students learn and grow, as well as give them confidence. The winners of these local events then advance to compete at the district level.

The club also gives scholarships and youth appreciation awards to students in a variety of categories. Students are recognized for academic achievement, citizenship, fine arts, athletics and technology. Vocational students who excel in areas such as automotive repair, plumbing and electrical are also recognized. They have recently added an award for a student in the Special Education program. A full list of scholarship opportunities are listed on the organization’s website. The Optimists also recognize citizens who give back to their community, with the Partners in Education, Respect for the Law and First Responder awards.

The Optimist Club focuses on bringing out the best in the youth of their community, so you will see them out in the community in a variety of places. In just over a week the club will be present in support of the Vienna Halloween parade, where they provide a number of volunteers to help facilitate the event and donate funding on an annual basis. The club also maintains the Vienna Caboose by giving tours and handling the maintenance. Recently the caboose needed both interior and exterior painting, and the club is supporting the town by taking care of these needs.

In order to support all of their ambitious activities the club has several fundraisers throughout the year. They sell beer and wine at the Chilling on Church summer block party, they are responsible for organizing and renting space for the Vienna Farmer’s Market, and during the holidays, the club sells Christmas trees from the parking lot of the Vienna Giant grocery store. Bauer truly enjoys this project, as it brings together club members, along with students who participate in the youth led JOI clubs, and members of many local sports teams to help man the sales booth. In addition to raising money for their efforts, the Christmas tree sales is a wonderful community building opportunity.

by Rachel Simon

Stop Child Abuse Now with Leah Fraley

(Oct. 10, 2018) Catherine Read interviews Leah Fraley, Executive Director of Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN). SCAN works to ensure that every child in Northern Virginia grows up in a safe, stable, nurturing family, with the supports that they need to contribute to stronger communities today, and as adults in the future. Their mission is to promote the well-being of children, improve parent-child relations and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Since 1988, SCAN has worked hard to accomplish their mission through three primary activities. The first is to educate the public about the scope, nature and consequences of child abuse and neglect, and the importance of positive, nurturing parenting. The second is to provide direct parent education opportunities, and the third is to advocate for the children in the community, the legislature and the courts. This effort requires them to collaborate with many community partners; and SCAN always aims to meet parents where they are in the community so that programming is accessible to all who need it.

For example SCAN’s parenting education classes are offered at a variety of locations throughout the region. SCAN will provide either childcare for children under the age of four, or will offer parallel programming for school aged children, designed to help them build strong relationships with their parents and siblings. These classes are aimed at improving family communication and help parents and children both develop skills to deal with challenges and stressors that can lead to abusive behaviors.

SCAN builds strong relationships with those in the public sector, including schools, the court system and the local government agencies, to deliver their services to those in need. They aim to be a resource to anyone who thinks that there is a child in trouble, and is happy to offer guidance and best practices to those who need help in getting families the needed supports.

Fraley points out that our region is unique in that we have a very multi-cultural region. There are families who come here from many different places, and bring their own way of life with them. This requires flexibility and understanding that there is more than one way to do things. She stresses that the programs that they offer give people of all cultures an opportunity to improve their family relationships in both small and large ways.

Recently, they have worked with refugee families who are being reunified after spending much time apart. Some parents have not seen their children in years, and need to get to first get to know their child again. They may have been good at parenting a 10 year old, but if has been years since they were together and the child is now a teenager, the parents will have different challenges ahead of them. Additionally, the child might be upset that the parent left them behind. SCAN aims at helping these families navigate this difficult process and learn to function in their new environment.

Fraley notes that SCAN is an organization that is run primarily by volunteers, who do everything from run classes, work with Court Appointed Special Advocacy Programs, provide childcare and transportation, and advocate on the local and state level for changes to improve our system. On November 3^rd SCAN is holding its annual Toast to Hope event in Springfield to bring the community of volunteers and donors together to raise money for the cause. More information can be found on the website if you are interested in supporting SCAN or becoming a volunteer.

by Rachel Simon

Medicare with Ridge Multop of AARP

(Oct. 3, 2018) Catherine Read sits down with Ridge Multop, community ambassador with AARP, to discuss information regarding the Medicare program. October through December is open enrollment season, and it is important for seniors to understand the ins and outs of the system before committing to a plan.

President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare into law 53 years ago. At the time the country was facing a healthcare crisis. Many seniors were living longer than ever before, and were unable to secure medical coverage from private insurers, due to their age or their preexisting conditions. The Medicare system was established as a safety net in order to provide hospital and outpatient care to all Americans over the age of 65. This original program is known as Medicare parts A and B.

Establishing Medicare was a huge undertaking, and critical to providing a safety net to seniors in America. Legislators recognized, however, that there were gaps in coverage. Therefore, they established Medicare Part C plans (also known as Medicare Advantage plans) as an option for seniors. These plans are sold by private insurers, and are designed to complement Medicare parts A and B. These are supplemental plans that seniors can purchase for additional monthly payments. More recently, Medicare Part D was created in the early 2000’s. This program specifically targeted the rising cost of prescription drugs, in an effort to make medications more affordable for the elderly. Multop points out that there are still certain benefits that are not covered through Medicare, including vision, hearing and dental care.

Forty-eight million Americans are covered through the Medicare program, with a total cost topping $680 billion dollars. As people are living longer and the baby boomers age into the program, the rising rolls will increase the costs to maintain Medicare. Multop points out, however, Medicare is not an entitlement. It is a benefit program that people have paid into their entire working life. As expenses increase faster than funding, the Medicare trust fund is projected to run dry by the mid 2020’s, unless changes are made to sustain the program.

Multop shares that today, 75% of the funding for Medicare comes out of the general treasury fund, combined with the payments from the monthly premiums. If the President and Congress fail to come up with a funding formula that will sustain the program, than the result will be premium increases.

In the most recent AARP Bulletin, Multop note that there are three critical questions that voters need to ask their Congressional candidates before heading to the polls this November:

Do you believe that Medicare should be cut to reduce the deficit? (follow-up question can be should Social Security be cut to reduce the deficit?)
Do you prefer converting Medicare to a voucher program?
What changes would you make to ensure that people will continue to get the promised Medicare benefits that they have earned?

Lastly, Multop wants people to know that Medicare recently sent out new cards to all members in April through June of 2018. The old cards contained social security numbers, which put people at risk of identity theft. If you did not receive a new card, contact your local office to get a replacement. He also shares that Medicare will never ask you for a social security number anymore. If you encounter someone requesting this information, it is most likely a fraudulent scam. Should you need help or assistance with understanding Medicare or Medicaid benefits, he encourages people to reach out to the Virginia Insurance Counseling Assistance Program (VICAP). They are available to work with Virginia residents to help understand the various benefits and programs.

by Rachel Simon

Fall for the Book Festival at George Mason University

(Sept. 26, 2018) Catherine Read interviews Suzy Rigdon-Williams and Kara Oakleaf, professors at George Mason University (GMU), about the upcoming Fall for the Book Festival. This is the 20^th anniversary of the four-day event, featuring over 150 authors. It will run from October 11^th-14^th on the GMU campus.

Planning for this event goes on all year, and Rigdon-Williams and Oakleaf are enthusiastic about the variety and breadth of authors and genres that are being featured. During the planning phase they work closely with the festival partners, including the Fairfax County Public Library and professors from George Mason University, to make sure that they know what books are currently popular. This helps them shape the festival and provide relevant programming for patrons.

A few of the headliners include Tayari Jones, author of The American Marriage. This is a best seller that is being read and discussed by many book clubs. This book portrays the relationship of an African American couple when the husband is falsely accused of a crime and sent to jail. Congressman John Lewis will make an appearance to discuss his recently released graphic memoir entitled March, that documents his life story and his role in the civil rights movement. Author Paul Hawkins will speak about his book Drawdown, which outlines practical ways to mitigate climate change. The schedule of all of these authors, along with the 150 others, can be found on the Fall for the Book Website. There is also a special app that can be downloaded to help patrons organize their schedule during the festival.

Rigdon-Williams and Oakleaf note that one of the most exciting aspects of the festival is that they are giving their students first hand access to the authors. Student can learn about how an author completes the writing process and where they get their inspiration. Each and every writer goes about the creative process in their own way, and it is helpful for the students to understand this. For many of the students, it is the first time that they have had access to this type of forum. This exposure can be invaluable to young students who are considering embarking on a writing career.

Saturday October 13^th will be community day for the book festival. They are partnering with the city of Fairfax during their Fall for Fairfax Festival, and will have activities and events for people of all ages. The Old Town Hall will feature arts and crafts and special story times. There will be free parking on campus, as well as shuttle buses that will be running back to the downtown area, so people can easily access the activities. They encourage everyone to explore the schedule and come by to hear about a topic of interest.

Sadly, the closing event featuring Angie Thomas who wrote The Hate U Give has to be rescheduled. Stay tuned for information on the the Fall for the Book website, along with social media, to find out when she will be coming back to discuss her best selling book, which was just released as a movie this month.

Catherine Read will be moderating the panel “Surviving as an Outsider” on Saturday, Oct. 13th from 1:30 – 2:30 in Merten Hall. Joseph Cassara, author of The House of Impossible Beauties and Patrick Nathan, author of Some Hell, will be discussing the concept of outsiders as it relates to the LGBTQ community.

You can download the Fall for the Book app at www.FallfortheBook.org

by Rachel Simon

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries with Rebecca Kolowe

(Sept. 19, 2018) Catherine Read interviews Rebecca Kolowe, Executive Director of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM). WFCM provides compassionate, life essential services to reduce hunger and the risk of homelessness amongst vulnerable residents of Western Fairfax County. WFCM serves individuals and families of all ages, religions and nationalities from the communities of Chantilly, Centerville, Clifton, Fairfax Station and Fair Oaks.

Thirty-one years ago, 12 local churches came together to found WFCM. Today, the organization has the participation of over 40 local communities of faith, including mosques and synagogues. The food pantry is the primary focus, although they do also offer assistance with utility shut-off and eviction notices. Kolowe notes that they will never turn anyone away, and all who walk through their doors will be served a meal. Most of their clients come to them through referrals from the County, and most return on a monthly basis to stock up on essentials.

Hunger knows no bounds, and WFCM serves those of all age groups. Kolowe points out that 15% of the people frequenting WFCM are seniors. Recently, there were two large fires in the community, which displaced many residents. The senior home that caught on fire destroyed 88 units, and WFCM helped to support the displaced residents. They worked hand in hand with other organizations within the community to help replace items such as medication, dentures and medical equipment.

On October 12^th WFCM will hold its 11^th annual gala dinner in order to raise funds to support their very important work. Ken Harvey, former linebacker from the Washington Redskins, will be the keynote speaker and Tracie Potts of NBC News will be the Mistress of Ceremonies. Kolowe is excited about the event, and hopes to grow attendance in order to raise money for the organization. If you would like to join them, or become a sponsor, tickets are available on their website.

One of the largest obstacles that many of her clients face is traveling to the pantry, since many of her clients do not have their own cars. It can sometimes take an entire afternoon of bus travel to make a 5-mile trip to the pantry. Kolowe would love to think outside the box, and work with their partners in the community to help solve these problems. For example, she could envision volunteers who are able to transport clients from their places of worship to and from the pantry, to ease the burden on her clients. There are many possibilities when everyone comes together to help tackle these obstacles, and Kolowe is open to exploring all of the possibilities.

by Rachel Simon

Suicide Prevention with Leilani Tizon

(Sept. 5, 2018) Catherine Read sits down with suicide prevention advocate Leilani Tizon to discuss her work surrounding suicide prevention and awareness. Leilani’s brother Christopher committed suicide when she was in the sixth grade, and she has spent much of her young life working to help others who are plagued by this tragedy. September is National Suicide Awareness Month, with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10^th. During this time, individuals and organizations will be drawing attention to the problem of suicide and advocating for the prevention of this terrible tragedy.

As a freshman at Forest Park High School in Woodbridge, Leilani first noticed that the curriculum surrounding suicide prevention was not very robust. The students were shown a video, and when kids asked follow-up questions the teachers were not trained how to answer those questions or address the concerns. Leilani took it into her own hands to approach those in charge of creating the video, and give some feedback on what it is really like to lose a family member to suicide.

As the school adjusted their programming, Leilani began to speak directly with her peers about the very difficult issue of suicide. Although it was painful and scary for her to discuss the details at first, she found value in sharing her family’s story. Her hope was that she was able to reach kids who needed extra support and be able to help them find the resources they need to get through their crises.

During her junior year, WUSA-9 conducted a live interview with Leilani and hosted a live chat where she was able to answer questions from viewers. She was happy to share her story with a wider audience, and connect with more people who needed help. Unfortunately, other kids in her school were not happy that she was getting so much attention, and she began to be bullied during school. This was a very difficult time for her, which caused her to retreat and step away from the spotlight. When she moved on to college, she decided to elevate her voice again, because she knew that she could really make a difference.

Suicide is quickly becoming a leading cause of death in the America. It is now the second leading cause of death in people aged 10-24 years old. The difficult thing for surviving family members to deal with is that nine out of ten times there are no specific warning signs. Suicide most often occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities of those suffering from a mental health condition. Many surviving family and friends look back and say “what if?” when they are attempting to make sense of what happened. Leilani admits that she and her parents went through the same thing after her brother took his own life, but she learned that doing this was not going to bring him back and did not help them cope with their tragedy.

In working with kids who are suffering, Leilani stresses to parents the importance of really listening to their kids. When children reach out and ask for help, it is very important to respect and trust them. Leilani runs into many parents who want to pretend that things are “just fine” and that their kids are just “going through a phase”. She stresses the importance of addressing problems head on and seeking out support and guidance, in order to ensure the health and well being of their children. Ignoring issues of depression will not make them go away.

This month there will be multiple opportunities to show support and solidarity with those who have lost love ones to suicide. There are many community Out of the Darkness walks, where family members and friends can honor their loved ones and walk to raise money and awareness about suicide. Leilani’s family will participate in the walk in Washington, DC this year on October 20^th at the Lincoln Memorial. There will also be many community events across the area, including a walk in Fairfax City on September 29th at 11 am^th at the amphitheater at City Hall. You can visit the National Association for Suicide Prevention website to find a walk in your community.

by Rachel Simon

Family PASS – Patricia Kearns – Your Need to Know

(Aug. 29, 2018) Catherine Read interviews Patricia Kearns, Executive Director of Family PASS (Preservation And Strengthening Services). The mission of Family PASS is to help families who are homeless, or are at risk of homelessness, in Fairfax County connect with the support services that they need to become self-sufficient. The work of Family PASS is an integral part of Fairfax County’s 10-year plan to prevent and end homelessness in the community.

Patricia Kearns Family PASS Family PASS was founded in 2006 and has served 120 families, including over 250 children since inception. Kearns shares that 33% of the homeless population in Fairfax County is under the age of 18. Keeping families in their homes is among some of the most important aspects of the work that Family PASS does, as this ensures stability in education for the children. They provide access to emergency funding in order to reduce the rate of evictions, and provide the needed wrap-around social services to address issues that are at the root of the problem. This includes education, job training, medical and dental care, transportation assistance and help with childcare. These services are designed to help people get employed, or stay employed, so that they can afford to support themselves.

Kearns explains how the system works for a person or family who is at risk of homelessness in Fairfax County. The Coordinated Services planning office will assess the needs of a family, and then refer them to a partner organization that can help. When a family is identified as needing emergency assistance in order to remain in their home, they are directed to Family PASS.

Family PASS also receive referrals from organizations like Northern Virginia Family Services, who embrace the “housing first” philosophy. After a family gets settled with housing, they might be referred to Family Pass for additional support services, so that they can acquire the skills that they need to remain in their home. For example, they may need help with financial literacy skills so they understand how to budget the money that they do have in order to ensure that they do not lose their home.

Although Kearns notes that there are 987 homeless individuals who are identified in Fairfax County today (a reduction in half of what it was in 2008), there are still many more people living on the edge who are at extreme risk of losing their homes. Approximately 20,000 people fall into this category, while another 63,000 people are living at or just below the poverty line.

These are the working poor, those who make minimum wage in low skill service jobs. Many of these people are in shared housing arrangements because of the lack of affordable housing here in Fairfax County. She also points out that the minimum wage of $7.25/hour, is not a living wage. These individuals cannot support themselves, let alone a family, on this meager income. This situation leads to people trying to hold down multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. Kearns encourages all who are watching to bring up the issue of affordable housing and a living wage to their local elected officials. People can appeal to their local supervisors, town councils and state legislators to urge them to support these important initiatives.

by Rachel Simon

AARP 60th Anniversary with Historian Lily Liu

(Aug. 22, 2018) Catherine Read sits down with Lily Liu, Historian Emerita at the AARP, to discuss the life and legacy of Ethel Percy Andrus, Ph.D. (1884-1967), founder of the organization. (Until 1999, it was known as the American Association of Retired Persons.) As AARP marks its 60^th anniversary in 2018, Liu shares important information about the history of the organization and the inspiration she finds in its founder.

Born in 1884, Ethel Percy Andrus was a schoolteacher and made an enormous impact, one student at a time. Upon retirement, she offered her volunteer services as a welfare coordinator in her home state of California. She was shocked when she met so many seniors who were living in poverty, asserting that nobody who works their whole life should have to suffer in this way. A turning point was when she met a retired schoolteacher who was living in a chicken coop because they could not afford their own home. This drove her to found the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA). She worked collectively with the state associations to bring them together to form a Federation that successfully advocated for better pay, retirement and health benefits.

Many seniors, who were not schoolteachers, reached out to Andrus during that time and asked if they too could join her federation. Unfortunately, they could not because they were not teachers. It did give her the idea to create a broader organization catering to seniors, which led to the birth of the American Association of Retired Persons organization in 1958. 38 million members strong, AARP is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to representing the interests of seniors nationwide. Each state has its own office to support their residents, and Virginia’s AARP headquarters is located in Richmond. A wealth of resources can be found on their website, including premier events, travel opportunities and volunteer jobs that need to be done in the community.

The three pillars of the AARP organization are independence, dignity and purpose. Jim Dowd, Executive Director of the Virginia AARP, works tirelessly day in and day out to advocate on Capitol Hill in Washington, as well as in the halls of the Capitol in Richmond, to ensure that the needs of seniors are well represented when legislation affecting them is being crafted. AARP advocates on issues such as healthcare for seniors, sustaining livable communities, aging in place and everything in between.

Lui reminds us about the importance of having Ethel Percy Andrus as a role model. Andrus began her journey to help seniors upon retirement from a long and successful teaching career. She gave equally as much to the world in her role as an advocate and champion for seniors, as she did to the children she taught in school. She had a vibrant, rewarding and fulfilling life in her “encore years” and serves as an inspiration for all of how to carve out meaning in the chapter of life that begins after retirement.