Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Hampton Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Hampton Senior Center, 3501 Kecoughtan Road February 5, 2024 Call to Order and Welcome Chair Linda Kindred opened the meeting by welcoming all in attendance and reminded all that the attendance sheet at the back of the room was to be signed upon arrival. She added that if anyone needed to be absent from future meetings to contact her directly at 757-776-2286. She noted that if anyone had questions, to ask them at the end of the meeting. Opening prayer was then offered. Roll Call & Approval of January Minutes Present: Linda H Kindred-Chair, Lewis Dawley III- Vice Chair, Martha L. Clark, C’Faison Harris, Phyllis Porter, Lynda Burke, Remi Travis Wright, Cassandra Alston-Townsley, Tonya L. Grant, Jamie Chapman Absent: Camilla Doctor City/Lead Agency Reps: Councilman Chris Bowman, David McCauley (HPRLS), Susan Elswick (HPRLS), Shaeron King (HPRLS), Shantel Hudgins (HPRLS), Ethel Heyward (Social Services), Bill Massey (PAA), Stephanie Taylor (Foster Grandparent Program), Phyllis Pallin (Hampton Human Services) Guests: Sandra Luckey, Donna Little, Nancy Glenn, Doris Farmer, Gloria Gross Shantel Hudgins conducted the roll call; a quorum was present. The opportunity was given to the advisory board to review the January minutes. A motion to accept the January minutes as written was made, seconded, and unanimously approved. Opening Remarks Linda Kindred opened the meeting with an introduction to the newest SCAC Board Member, Jamie Chapman. Director McCauley gave some additional opening remarks and proceeded to discuss informative updates on special current and future events that are to occur in the city in the coming weeks/months. 1   The Hampton Heroes event was held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on January 15th. The event recognized outstanding citizens for their contributions to the community. The individuals were inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Hampton Heroes Hall of Fame.  Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center playground ribbon cutting is scheduled on March 30th from 11am-2pm.  The Mosaic Festival will return on April 20th in Downtown Hampton. It will be a combination of Earth Day, International Children Festival, and Hampton History Museum Heritage Festival.  Blackbeard Festival is scheduled for May 31st-June 2nd at Mill Point Park.  Groovin’ by the Bay series will return nightly on Sundays from June 9th-August 26th at Mill Point Park.  Crabtown Seafood Festival is scheduled on August 31st and September 1st at Mill Point Park and Downtown Hampton.  The Bluebird Gap Farm Festival is scheduled on October 26th and October 27th at Bluebird Gap Farm. Martha Clark shared that the Art Cener recently opened a new exhibit. An opening reception will be held on February 10th from 3pm-5pm. Subcommittee Reports Speaker’s Bureau Committee: C’Faison Harris shared the following information: • The committee has speakers scheduled through June. The following speakers have been scheduled:  March- Chief Wideman (Hampton Police Department)  April- Corey Johnson (Hampton Fire Department)  May- Jonathan McBride & Anna Hammond (Neighborhood Commission)  June- Luci Talbot-Cochran (Hampton History Museum)  July- Terri Vander Venet and Mary Fugere (Hampton Arts & Hampton Roads Convention Center/Visitor’s Bureau) are tentatively scheduled.  August- Matthew Stern (H.E.L.P.) is tentatively scheduled.  September- Michelle Packard (Real Estate) is tentatively scheduled. Annual Report: C’Faison Harris shared the following information: • The committee will be working with Briana Hudnall from PRLS Marketing. Mayor’s Town Hall: Lewis Dawley III shared the following information: • Some community members approached with the idea of having upcoming meetings held at another community center. The committee is considering the idea of changing the meeting location. 2 Hospitality Committee: Cassandra Townsley shared the following information: • Next meeting is scheduled for the 1st Tuesday in March. • The Hospitality Committee will meet with the Awards Committee in June. Awards Committee: Linda Kindred shared the following information: • Next meeting is scheduled in June to discuss the award ceremony in December. Senior Residential Committee: Tonya Grant shared the following information: • Linda Burke will be assisting Tonya Grant on the committee. • Next meeting is scheduled on February 12th. City/Lead Agency Updates PAA: Bill Massey shared the following information: • The Senior Advocacy Day at the Capitol is scheduled for February 7, 2024 from 8am-3:30pm. PAA is asking for all interested individuals to please call at 757-249-1911. PAA will provide transportation and lunch for older adults. They will advocate for the right to aging in place and other older adult issues at the Capitol. PAA has reserved a room within the General Assembly where the elected officials are able to meet and speak with the seniors. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources, John Littel, will be speaking with the group. Attorney General, Jason Miyares, will also be in attendance to speak with the group. The Governor also indicated that he will make an appearance. The group will send the message that more resources are needed for seniors to provide more services to keep seniors in their homes. They will also advocate for more resources for caregivers. • On March 6th, The Annual Community Forum on Aging will be held at Liberty Live Church in Hampton, VA. The registration ends on February 23rd and the fee is $5 with lunch included. • PAA is celebrating 50 years of operation in 2024. • In 2024, the Federal Old American Act is due for re-authorization by Congress. Foster Grandparent Program: Stephanie Taylor shared the following information: • The part time position is available to assist with database/entry. The position allows for up to 25 hours per week. • They are also looking for volunteers to go into childcare facilities and etc. Hampton Human Services: Phyllis Palin shared the following information: • Hampton Human Services will be relocating to 400 Butler Farm Road in Hampton, VA during March/April. 3 Linda Kindred acknowledged and thanked Ethel Heyward for her assistance in helping a citizen look for a home. Linda encouraged all to speak with her personally if anyone needed assistance. Public Comment Linda gave an opportunity for visitors/guests to speak. Toni Freeman with JenCare Medical Center explained the organizations value model are based on outcomes to improve seniors’ health. JenCare is not to be considered a clinic, but JenCare is a doctor’s office/facility. There are individuals that work with seniors that understand the unique special needs of seniors. The objective is to listen to the seniors and treat them with dignity and respect. They offer a lot of services under one roof to make it convenient for seniors. Seniors must have Medicare with an advantage plan. JenCare accepts Aetna, Anthem, Sentara, and United Healthway. Visitor, Nancy, expressed that she would like to see more senior complexes within the Olde Hampton area. Linda Kindred shared that the issue should be addressed during the next Mayor’s Town Hall/ Additional visitors expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the services that are provided by JenCare and PAA. Linda Kindred also shared that the Senior Expo is scheduled for May 15th from 11am-2pm at the Senior Center. Adjournment Linda closed the meeting by asking all to remember to be a ray of sunshine in someone’s cloud, adding that you may be the only person someone sees, and your smile or act of kindness will brighten someone’s day. The meeting adjourned at 11:25am. Minutes submitted by Shantel Hudgins, SCAC Recorder 4