Serena Garcia

AARP Georgia hopes to grow relevance by giving voice to Atlantans about what they want to see in their community. Many of us want to age where we live so AARP is hosting a public discussion which will take place on Saturday, March 28, 11:30am - 1:00pm, Wieuca Road Baptist Church, 3626 Peachtree Rd., NE, Atlanta. Lunch will be provided as a part of your reservation for the event. This public forum is in collaboration with the City of Atlanta, Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services.

Fraud targeting taxpayers continues to run rampant nationwide. AARP Georgia and the White County Chamber of Commerce are partnering to offer an educational session on Tuesday, March 17, 8:30-10am at the Roy Ash Jr. Community Room (behind United Community Bank), 89 East Jarrard Street, Cleveland, GA 30528. Breakfast will be provided and advance registration is required. The cost is $5 for Chamber Members and $10 for Non-Members. Experts from the Federal Trade Commission and Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection will discuss what businesses can do to protect consumer information, disposal of business records, common ways thieves steal tax returns, and selecting the right tax preparer. To attend, rsvp using this link: http://www.whitecountychamber.org/calendar/.

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

National Urban League President/CEO Marc Morial, who last year hosted a conference themed, “Bridges to Jobs and Justice”, often stresses the need for poor people to have jobs as a key to economic empowerment and civil rights.

This year, AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 48th year, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention the older population. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.

To coincide with Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, the AARP Fraud Watch Network is launching an education effort to help people protect themselves from tax scams, releasing a new video, a tip sheet and encouraging people to take advantage of AARP’s free tax preparation services.

On January 26, Representative Tommy Benton (R-31), Chairman of the Human Relations & Aging Committee, introduced HB 92, The Family Care Act, with co-sponsorship from Representatives Matt Hatchett (R-150), Katie Dempsey (R-13), Margaret Kaiser (D-59), and Sharon Cooper (R-43). AARP volunteers from Augusta joined the AARP staff and local caregiving agency partners in support of HB 92.

Every day, more than 42 million family caregivers in America make it possible for a parent, spouse or other loved one to live independently. Many of those caregivers juggle responsibilities, including working and caring for their own family. In fact, 42% of U.S. workers have been caregivers for aging loved ones in the last five years. What’s more, research shows juggling responsibilities can be highly stressful, putting caregivers at risk for depression, anxiety and cardiovascular disease, among other physiological consequences, as well as cause financial problems.

AARP Georgia State Office is hosting a Financial Resiliency and Work and Save fundraising gala for members of the Atlanta University Center. The event will take place on December 13, 2014, Cocktail Reception, 5:30pm-6pm, Panel Discussion and musical entertainment at 6-8pm, located at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, Savannah Room, 210 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta.

AARP Georgia and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc. (NCCHR) are unveiling a special discount to AARP members as part of NCCHR’s inaugural year membership campaign.