Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Hampton Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Hampton Senior Center, 3501 Kecoughtan Road February 7, 2022 ~ 10:00am Present: Linda H. Kindred-Chair; Jeanette Augustine, Martha Clark; George Gwynn, C’Faison Harris, Martha C. Johnson, Cassandra Alston-Townsley Absent: Doris Farmer, Yvonne Gaynor, Angela Leary, Sandra Waldo City/Lead Agency Reps: Mayor Donnie Tuck; Councilman Chris Bowman; Yolanda Clark, Social Services; Gina Lewis, Foster Grandparents Program; Susan Elswick, HPRLS: Shaeron King, HPRLS Guests: Georgia Scott I. Welcome Ms. Kindred called the meeting to order by thanking everyone for attending and reminding all to sign- in. Opening prayer was offered. II. Roll Call & Approval of January Minutes Ms. Harris conducted the roll call; a quorum was present. She reminded members and guests to be sure to sign in at the front desk upon entering the center and on the SCAC sign-in sheet. Ms. Kindred asked if all had read the minutes and if there were any questions or corrections. Ms Harris stated that she had corrected a few errors she found, particularly on Page 3, first paragraph; fifth paragraph, last two sentences, sixth paragraph, second line and those corrections would be noted as revised for the February minutes. After asking if there were any other corrections or questions regarding the minutes, Ms. Kindred asked for a motion to accept the February minutes with revisions noted. Ms. Augustine made a motion to accept. The motion was seconded by Ms. Townsley and was unanimously accepted. III. Old Business Subcommittee Discussion Ms. Kindred discussed the five subcommittees, their purpose, and current listing of members for each committee. She noted that some board members had signed up for several committees and that is placing too much responsibility on them. In order for these subcommittees to productive, every board member should sign up for at least one, but not more than two. Each committee will have board and lead agency points of contact. All information must be first brought before the liaisons to insure they HSCAC Meeting Minutes 02072022 1 are in line with SCAC/PRLS/and City guidelines. Subcommittees will choose a chair that must be a board member. Annual Awards Ceremony – board/lead agency liaisons are Ms. Kindred and Ms. Elswick. Members are Ms. Martha Clark and Ms. Farmer. Ms. Kindred asked Ms. Augustine to be a member, to which she agreed. Ms. Townsley also asked to be on this subcommittee. Mayor’s Town Hall – board/lead agency liaisons are Ms. Kindred and Mr. McCauley. Lead agency representatives Mr. Massey of Peninsula Agency on Aging, Ms. Lewis of Foster Grandparents, Mr. McCauley of HPRLS, and Ms. Yolanda Clark of Social Services will serve on this committee. Members are Ms. Martha Clark, Ms. Farmer, Ms. Gaynor, Ms. Leary, Ms. Waldo, and Ms. Townsley. Speakers Bureau – board/lead agency liaisons are Ms. Elswick and Ms. Harris. Members are Ms. Gaynor, Ms. Martha Clark, and Ms. Angela Leary. Ms. Kindred asked Mr. Gwynn and Ms. Johnson if they’ll work with this committee, and they agreed. It was noted that Ms. Martha Clark was now on three subcommittees. She agreed to be only a resource to this committee and provide names for possible speakers. Annual Report – board/lead agency liaisons are Ms. Shaeron King and Ms. Harris. Members are Ms. Gaynor, and Ms. Leary. Residents Association – board/lead agency liaisons are Ms. Elswick and Ms. Shaeron King. Members are Mr. Gwynn, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Leary, and Ms. Waldo. Because Ms. Leary and Ms. Gaynor are now on three subcommittees, Ms. Harris to contact them so they may choose with which two subcommittees they wish to work. Board and lead agency liaisons to provide members with contact information. Ms. Martha Clark asked how should meeting information be reported. Ms. Kindred stated that subcommittee members will decide when to meet. Meetings may be held before or after a regular board meeting, but at no time should a subcommittee meeting impede the time set aside for a regularly scheduled board meeting. HSCAC Meeting Minutes 02072022 2 Ms. Kindred also noted that COVID-19 masks are available at CVS and Rite Aid. Councilman Bowman added that Kroger also has masks available. COVID testing and vaccinations are available at the Sherwood Center on Warwick Boulevard (behind the Popeye’s). Ms. Martha Clark stated that she believed Sixth Mt. Zion Church also provides testing and vaccinations/boosters on Fridays, 10am – 1pm. Ms. Kindred said she was just there this past Friday and the church parking lot was clear and the buildings closed. She added that she then went to the Sherwood Center and found them open. She stated she tries to first confirm any information she provides before passing it along so people will get the services they need. Mayor Tuck said that during a national mayoral conference hosted by Bloomberg, that it was noted that testing kits supply is waning because the demand is so high. He said that people should only be tested if they feel they’ve been exposed to COVID. Ms. Lewis stated that people also should be tested if they are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID. She added that other countries are began handling COVID from the beginning as a pandemic that will last four to six years, while the U.S. treats it as a short-term disease, with guidelines changing every six months. She asked all to remember that this virus will be with us a long while and, if guidelines are properly followed, this will be something we all can get through. Ms. Harris asked everyone to be sure to read over the handouts about COVID testing and the different types of masks. IV. New Business Upcoming Events Ms. Kindred announced that YH Thomas Community Center Black History’s Program that will take place on Tuesday, February 22, 5-6pm. Little England Cultural Center will host a Valentine’s Day Social on Monday, February 14, 10:30am-12pm. Admission is $4 for singles, $7 for couples. Light snacks and gifts will be available. On March 30 at 2:00pm, the Hampton Senior Center will host a ‘Creative Strokes’ painting event with community center outreach coordinators that will be free of charge. Members and guests were encouraged to pick up an activity calendar and attend these events. 2022 Elections for Chair and Vice Chair Ms. Kindred announced elections for Chair and Vice Chair will take place today, noting that only those present could be considered for nomination. Ms. Harris was asked to conduct nominations. The floor opened for nominations for Chair. Ms. Johnson nominated Ms. Kindred, which she accepted. No other nominations were received. Mr. Gwynn made a motion to accept the nomination HSCAC Meeting Minutes 02072022 3 of Ms. Kindred for the office of Chair, Ms. Townsley seconded. By a show of hands, Ms. Kindred was unanimously re-elected. The floor then opened for nominations for Vice Chair. Ms. Harris nominated Ms. Augustine, which she accepted. No other nominations were received. Ms. Townsley made a motion to accept the nomination of Ms. Augustine for the office of Vice Chair, Ms. Kindred seconded. By a show of hands, Ms. Augustine was unanimously elected. Ms. Kindred thanked everyone for reelecting her and stated that she will continue to work hard to support HSCAC and its members, adding that if anyone has any suggestions or needs to talk with her at any time, do not hesitate to contact her. V. Lead Agency Updates Gina Lewis of Foster Grandparents Program stated the program is still going strong with 41 of the 88 volunteers still active, but only in Hampton schools. Mr. Gwynn had questioned the absence of the representative for the Peninsula Agency on Aging, Mr. Massey, stating that he had not seen Mr. Massey at several meetings. Ms. Kindred responded that she would ask Mr. McCauley to reach out to Mr. Massey. Ms. Yolanda Clark announced that agency deliveries, benefits, and the SNAP program are still operating under the COVID plan with no break in services. They are doing over the phone consults. Ms. Kindred asked that anyone needing food to please contact her at 757-776-2286. Requests remain confidential and she will contact those organizations that provide food assistance and drop off the items at the door. Ms. Townsley thanked Ms. Kindred for checking on her recently. She then talked about her networking through her food ministries and has volunteers available that are able to deliver food when necessary. Ms. Yolanda Clark added that the Social Services HELP Pantry is also open with hours from 9am-1pm and 2-4:30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays – no appointment necessary. Mayor Tuck was asked if he had anything he wished to share. He wished everyone a Happy New Year and thanked Ms. Kindred for the way she handles each meeting by starting on time and staying on point. He then congratulated her on her reelection as Chair. Councilman Bowman announced that former City leader Will Moffett’s funeral will be at 11am this Saturday at Bethel Church, located at the corner of Todd’s Lane and Aberdeen Road. HSCAC Meeting Minutes 02072022 4 Ms. Elswick distributed information on how to sign up for the Hampton eNews and provided several flyers on upcoming Center activities, including a Black History celebration on Wednesday, February 16, 12noon. VI. Adjournment Ms. Kindred adjourned the meeting with closing prayer, but first reminded everyone to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud; that a smile from you may make someone else’s day; and if you know someone who lives alone, call them, check on them. She asked all to please take care of themselves, their families, and their friends, and ended with a reminder that if anyone needs anything to please call her. If she can’t do what is asked, she will find someone who is able to assist. Meeting adjourned at 11:03am HSCAC Meeting Minutes 02072022 5