Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Hampton Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Hampton Senior Center, 3501 Kecoughtan Road May 6, 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 April Minutes Present: Linda H Kindred-Chair, Lewis Dawley III- Vice Chair, Remi Travis Wright, Phyllis Porter, Tonya L. Grant, Jamie Chapman, Lynda Burke Absent: Martha L. Clark, Camilla Doctor, Cassandra Alston-Townsley City/Lead Agency Reps: Vice Mayor Gray, Councilman Bowman, Jonathan McBride (Housing & Neighborhood Services Division), David McCauley (HPRLS), Susan Elswick (HPRLS), Shantel Hudgins (HPRLS), LaNetta Davis (PAA), Stephanie Taylor (Foster Grandparent Program), Ethel Heyward (Social Services), Phyllis Palin (Human Services) Guests: Gloria Jones, LaVerne Campbell, Doris Farmer Shantel Hudgins conducted the roll call; a quorum was present. The opportunity was given to the advisory board to review the April minutes. A motion to accept the April minutes as written was made, seconded, and unanimously approved. Opening Remarks Director McCauley provided opening remarks and proceeded to discuss informative upcoming updates on special current and future events that are to occur in the city in the coming weeks/months.  The Mosaic Festival (combination of the International Children’s Festival, Earth Day, and Hampton Heritage Festival) was held on April 20th. It was a fun-filled successful event that received positive feedback.  The Carousel Re-Opening occurred on April 6th. 1   The Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center Playground Ribbon Cutting occurred on March 30th.  The Air Power Park Re-Opening is scheduled for May 25th from 11am-2pm.  Darling Stadium new turf has been placed down and the stadium is scheduled to reopen to the public on August 15th.  Blue Bird Gap Farm is scheduled to be closed to the public on May 10th due to a City of Hampton Employee Cookout.  Watersports will be available at Buckroe Beach this summer. E-Foil (silent jet skis) will be available for rental at Buckroe Beach.  Youth Poetry Night is scheduled for May 9th at the Hampton History Museum.  Dockside Seafood Fundraiser is scheduled for May 18th at the Hampton History Museum.  The Fox Hill Parade is scheduled for May 18th from 9am-10am.  The Words on Wheels Bike Ride is scheduled for May 19th.  The Blackbeard Pirate Festival is scheduled for May 31st through June 2nd.  The Crabtown Seafood Festival is scheduled for August 31st through September 1st.  Groovin’ By the Bay is scheduled for June 9th-August 26th at Mill Point Park. Presentation-Housing and Neighborhood Services Division Linda Kindred introduced Jonathan McBride with the Hampton Housing and Neighborhood Services Division. Jonathan thanked everyone in attendance for inviting him to speak at the SCAC meeting. Jonathan began his presentation by sharing that he will briefly discuss the “Art of Neighboring”. He shared that the city of Hampton is a very diverse area that comes together. He shared that people often talk positive about their neighborhoods, but usually talk about the perceptions of the city. Jonathan began to discuss the aspect called Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) which is a strategy for sustainable community driven development. The Neighborhood Services Division is involved with civic engagement and neighborhood development. These two aspects are important in how Hampton is unique. The work that is involved in the Neighborhood Services Division is not only engagement, but to help develop the strength and connectivity within communities. He spoke about the topic of “ABCD” in terms of the following principles:  Gifts to share in community  Relationships build community  Connections with interests  Institutions are supporters of the community Jonathan shared that there are a variety of assets within the community. Mapping the assets in the community is a way to identify the assets on a larger scale. On the individual level, assets are “gifts of the head, gifts of the hand, and gifts to the heart”. 2 The process of neighborhoods includes:  Discovery  Sharing  Connecting The elements of neighboring include:  Listening  Presence in community  Connecting  Patience The City of Hampton Neighborhood Commission is celebrating 30 years of service. There is a 21-member council appointed commission based out of 10 neighborhood districts. Also, the Neighborhood Services Division provides training/assistance, workshops, coaching, and outreach with staff supporting boards/groups. Neighborhood grants are offered through the Community Connections Program (CCP) fund which are intended to stimulate grassroots community efforts and encourage groups to come together to make Hampton neighborhoods better. Jonathan opened the floor for questions. Linda thanked Jonathan for an informative presentation. Subcommittee Reports Mayor’s Town Hall: Lewis Dawley III shared the following information: • He thanked Jamie Chapman and Tonya Grant for a successful Mayor’s Town Hall Event that was held on April 22nd at West Hampton Community Center. Jamie asked the board if a subcommittee could be created to help create a matrix in reference to all of the challenges that seniors face in Hampton. Gloria Jones (West Hampton Community Center) shared that a study was conducted years ago, but updates are needed. Some of the challenges that were previously reported were addressed. Dave suggested for the list of challenges to be updated. City/Lead Agency Updates PAA: LaNetta Davis shared the following information: • PAA received a federal grant for a total of $283,000 in support of the home delivered meals waiting list. 3  • There will be a public forum to discuss the needs for older adult’s gaps in services and under served populations in the community. The public forum is scheduled for June 13th at PAA beginning at 11:30am. Foster Grandparent Program: Stephanie Taylor shared the following information: • The Foster Grandparent Program will be honoring their volunteers on May 10th. • They are still in search to fill a vacancy for the Office Specialist Senior position. Human Services: Phyllis Palin shared the following information: • Hampton Human Services will relocate on June 3rd (tentatively) to Butler Farm Road. Public Comment Linda gave an opportunity for visitors/guests to speak. Vice Mayor Gray shared that the relocation of Hampton Human Services would provide easier access for clients. He also shared information about the public improvements that includes Darling Stadium, Air Power Park, Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center Playground, and etc. The public improvements are to improve the experiences for our citizens and visitors. Boo Williams Sportsplex has added an additional 200 parking spaces to improve citizens/visitor’s experience. Vice Mayor Gray shared that the Council has approved the budget for improvements at the community centers. Linda shared the following upcoming events:  Mother’s Day Movie Event Scheduled for May 10th from 11am-4pm at the Hampton Senior Center.  Senior Picnic scheduled for May 14th at Queen Street Baptist Church.  Senior Expo scheduled for May 15th at the Hampton Senior Center  Father’s Day Celebration scheduled for June 15th at North Hampton Community 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 11:15am. Minutes submitted by Shantel Hudgins, SCAC Recorder 4