College Park Seniors Committee

College Park Senior Advisory Committee (SAC) Virtual Meeting March 5, 2025 7:00 p.m. Draft Minutes Seniors Committee Members: PRESENT ABSENT 1. Kathy Baer X 2. Woei-Nan Bair X 3. Betty Colonomos X 4. Adele Ellis X 5. Carol Gray X 6. Mary Anne Hakes X 7. Gail Lovelace X 8. Bonnie McClellan X 9. Darlene Nowlin X 10. Robert Thurston X 11. Heidi Weber X Also present : Afiya Radford, PG County Office of Community Relations; Cheryl Balchunas. Senior Director of Development, Do Good Institute; Janeen Miller, Age- Friendly College Park Program Lead. I. Call to Order Mary Anne Hakes called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. II. Cheryl Balchunas, UMD Center for Community Engagement A. Cheryl Balchunas provided background information about the Do- Good Institute which began in 2012 from the Do-Good Challenge. The organization brings awareness of Civic Engagement and Social Entrepreneurship through funding and educational opportunities. 1. The Do Good Institute offers mini grants for social entrepreneurs to peruse Civic Engagement. 2. There is a graduate certificate program in Non-Profit Management and development available to UMD students. The institute also offers  an Accelerator Fellowship Program that awards UMD students $2000 to launch social innovation projects. B. In 2022 UMD received a transformational gift from an anonymous donor to establish the first Do Good Campus 1. Do Good Now is a new philanthropic commitment that is aligned with The Do Good Institute’s strategic plan called Fearlessly Forward. a. The focus is geared toward three key areas: Reimagining learning, expanding research, and enhancing the ability of social impact 2. There is a 5-year fundraising goal to harness through grant making and endowments. 3. The Do Good Lab supports infrastructure throughout the campus to ensure that research continues. C. The Committee engaged in discussion about opportunities to collaborate with the Do Good Campus to meet some of the needs of Senior residents. 1. Living Learning Programs offer opportunities for scholars engaging in the civic engagement initiatives. The institute is currently seeking funding to sustain programming. 2. The institute received a 2-year research grant from the state of Maryland. 3. Internship opportunities are available for local nonprofits to connect with Do Good Students. Ms. Balchunas noted that matching grants are available to help organizations achieve salary support for interns. III. Approval of the Agenda Gail Lovelace motioned to approve the March 5, 2025 agenda as written. Carol Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. IV. Approval of February 5, 2025 Minutes Bonnie McClellan motioned to approve February 5, 2025 minutes as amended. Gail Lovelace seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. V. City Updates A. City Budget - Habitat for Humanity 1. The committee inquired about allocated funding for Habitat for Humanity in FY 2026. Additional discussion will take place after the proposed city budget will be released. The budget is scheduled for release March 21, 2025. B. Communications Update 1. Did You Know articles have been submitted for March. a. Mrs. Hakes will forward a previously submitted article about durable medical equipment to Ms. Miller for a future submission. b. The committee will also submit an article about food insecurity and food resources. c. The committee discussed offering articles geared scam prevention. Betty Colonomos and Heidi Weber will collaborate to draft a submission about recent Medicare fraud. VI. Age Friendly partnership with UMD A. Age-Friendly workgroup members continue to engage with graduate students from University of Maryland School of Architecture. The students are completing a Capstone Project centered around the concept of15-minute communities. The project assesses access local amenities within 15 minutes by walking biking or driving. VII. Announcements & Other Discussion A. Legislation 1. The committee continues to monitor the Maryland Department on Aging Legislative priorities. There are no new developments. 2. Advisory Boards and Committees are not permitted to take a formal position about legislation. The committee discussed the formal process to propose that the Mayor and City Council support state legislature by issuing a letter to request support after a motion is approved by the committee. B. Pedestrian Safety 1. The committee discussed the need for longer traffic lights, cross-walk signals, illuminated traffic signage and annunciators at Rhode Island Avenue and Rte.193. Committee members  noted concerns raised about the heavily pedestrian populated intersection. a. A recommendation was made to continue to monitor developments to ensure pedestrian safety as a part of College Park Livability’s work in the transportation domain.  Ms. Miler will place an inquiry with the City Engineer and follow up with the committee. b. The committee discussed opportunities to engage the city and university to use resources available through AARP to conduct a walk audit throughout the city. C. City elections 1. The committee discussed exploring the participation of senior residents in county and city elections. The committee expressed interest in tracking the senior vote and the impact on overall voter turnout. D. College Park Woods Clubhouse 1. Ribbon Cutting, March 6, 2025, 4:30 p.m. 2. Mrs. Barber has requested to relocate selected Senior Program events from the VFW to the Clubhouse. a. The committee discussed hosting events on the first and third Wednesday of the month. b. The committee discussed event ideas including hosting music events with students from the Clarice, Game Days, Coffee and Conversations, line dancing, and scam prevention talks. VIII. Neighbors Helping Neighbors College Park (NHN-CP) A. Mr. Thurston noted efforts to secure snow removal resources and associated funding to aid residents who require assistance. The committee discussed identifying organizations to volunteer to support snow removal efforts next year. IX. Past & Upcoming Events Game Day at Game Kastle was well attended and well received by residents. A. Corridor Conversation, March 15, 2025  B. SAC is partnering with Senior Services to sponsor a Hyattsville Library Tour, March 28, 2025. C. Senior Art Show, sponsored by College Park Arts Exchange and Explorations on Aging on March 28, 2025, College Park Aviation Museum Admin Building The event will feature Senior Artists and Sculptures X. Next Meeting and Adjournment A. The next virtual meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2025. B. Adjournment Bonnie McClellan motioned to adjourn the meeting. Heidi Weber seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m.