Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Hampton Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Hampton Senior Center, 3501 Kecoughtan Road July 1, 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 June Minutes Present: Linda H Kindred-Chair, Lewis Dawley III- Vice Chair, Phyllis Porter, Tonya L. Grant, Jamie Chapman, Lynda Burke, Martha L. Clark, Camilla Doctor Absent: Cassandra Alston-Townsley, Remi Travis Wright City/Lead Agency Reps: Mayor Tuck, Imara “Gabe” Diaz (Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), Mariah Roederer (Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), Angela King (City of Hampton Deputy Attorney), Susan Elswick (HPRLS), Shantel Hudgins (HPRLS), Susan Castle (PAA) Guests: Gloria Jones, LaVerne Campbell, Doris Farmer, Donna Little, Stephen Lynch Shantel Hudgins conducted the roll call; a quorum was present. The opportunity was given to the advisory board to review the June minutes. A correction was noted on the last page in reference to the new subcommittee called “Challenges Facing Seniors”. Jamie Chapman was appointed as Chair of the subcommittee. A motion to accept the June minutes with necessary corrections was made, seconded, and unanimously approved. Opening Remarks Angela King 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.  Groovin’ By the Bay is scheduled for June 9th-August 26th at Mill Point Park.  The Crabtown Seafood Festival is scheduled for August 31st through September 1st.  The Annual Kiwanis Fishing Clinic is scheduled for July 16th at the James T. Wilson Fishing Pier. 1   Blue Bird Gap Farm Fall Festival scheduled for October 26th and October 27th.  The Buckroe Beach Playground Public Input Feedback open houses were held on May 21st and June 4th at Buckroe Baptist Church. The purpose of the meeting was to receive public input on the proposed Buckroe Beach Playground replacement design. A meeting was also held on June 21st at Antioch Baptist Church. All three meetings presented identical information and had a feedback survey. The materials and survey were also posted online.  The City of Hampton has been awarded a USDA Summer Feeding grant to provide meals for over 1000 students daily for the next 10 weeks. This initiative aims to ensure that children in the City of Hampton have access to healthy meals during the summer months. This program will benefit all children registered in the Parks and Recreation program, as well as any children who visit during the lunch hour. Presentation-Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Linda Kindred introduced Imara “Gabe” Diaz as the Executive Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Gabe thanked everyone in attendance for inviting him to speak at the SCAC meeting. He began with a brief overview of the Office of DEI. He shared that the Citizen’s Unity Commission helped the birth of the Office of DEI. The City of Hampton in 1994 and 1995, installed a group of individuals (community members) to discuss race issues in the City of Hampton and help promote diversity. With the installment of the group, the City decided to make it a City department which was the Citizen’s Unity Commission. The mission was to be proactive about the diversity and equity promotions. In 2021, the department petitioned the City Council for a department name change to better align with the work that is done in the community. The vision of the department is that the City of Hampton would be a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive city of all citizens concerning race, color, religion, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Office of DEI oversee two citizen-based commissions which are the Citizen’s Unity Commission and Citizens Engagement Advisory Review Commission. They also oversee the Youth Advisory Group. There are a total of 27 appointed commissioners on both commissions as well as the Youth Advisory Group. Currently, the department has graduated 81 individuals that were enrolled in the Hampton Diversity College. The Hampton Diversity College is a free interactive program within our City that highlights unity, respect, world religion, generational diversity, and much more. The department has also engaged in 123 opportunities to meet with community members in the form of programs, engagement opportunities, festivals, and trainings. The Office of DEI commitment as a City Department includes 5 pillars which are the following: • Climate and Relations- Create and sustain an organizational environment that affirms and respects diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as employee inclusive practices. 2  • Access and Success- Provide equitable tools as support for our employees, residents, and stakeholders to reach to their potential in the City of Hampton. • Training and Education- Engage employees in professional development in the learning of varied perspectives of diversity, equity, and inclusion. • Community Engagement- Deepen the agency’s contribution to improved inclusivity and equity in the communities we serve. • Infrastructure—Create and sustain citywide systems and processes to effectively support progress in achieving diversity goals. Gabe also shared that he serves as the City’s LGBTQ liaison to the City Manager’s Office. He serves as a friendly ear to the LGBTQ community in the event they have any concerns or need resources. He opened the floor for any questions. Linda thanked Gabe for an informative presentation. Subcommittee Reports Awards Committee Linda Kindred shared the following information: • Committee met on July 1st and reviewed the nomination forms. They will meet again on September 16th at 9am. • Nomination forms will be distributed in September to each of the community centers. Mayor’s Town Hall Lewis Dawley III shared the following information: • The next Town Hall meeting is scheduled for November. Challenges Facing Seniors Jamie Chapman shared the following information: • A draft list was created to detail the challenges facing our seniors in the City of Hampton. City/Lead Agency Updates PAA: Susan Castle shared the following information: • PAA have started the Senior Cool Care Program for individuals aged 60 and older. The program is for anyone in need of a boxed fan or AC unit. • The Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program is available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture where it provides low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs. Once guidelines and qualifications have been met, seniors can qualify for $50 vouchers at the local Farmer’s Market. • PAA has a community health program that is set up to provide group presentations on health topics as well as one on one counseling with individuals. 3  Public Comment Linda gave an opportunity for visitors/guests to speak. Mayor Tuck thanked Lewis Dawley and the Mayor’s Town Hall subcommittee for the last Town Hall Meeting held in April. He also shared on July 4th; Mill Point Park will have a special drone presentation in celebration of the 4th of July holiday. Linda introduced visitor, Stephen Lynch, who is part of the community outreach with CenterWell Senior Primary Care. He shared some of the activities and programs that are available to seniors. They also provide services such as same day appointments. 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 11:20am. Minutes submitted by Shantel Hudgins, SCAC Recorder 4