Timmy Dudley

“An Evening of Jazz, Networking and Life Reimagined for Work!”

Key knowledge leaders from throughout the District recently met to assess needs that ensure the city is an age-friendly community. AARP DC and the District’s Age-Friendly DC Initiative are collaborators for an international effort started by the World Health Organization (WHO) to respond to significant demographics trends in: urbanization and population aging. AARP State Director Louis Davis facilitated a meeting where leaders from area organizations discussed how DC functions in two of ten categories for DC’s Age-Friendly Initiative.

Information on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was a big draw for more than 2,000 visitors to the AARP DC booth at “La Feria de la Familia” (The Family Fair Day) held recently in Washington, DC. AARP DC was a first-time sponsor for this annual event organized by media giant Telemundo. “La Feria de La Familia,” one of the largest free events for the Latino community in the Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland area, was an opportunity for AARP DC to engage over ten Spanish speaking volunteers and build on its outreach initiatives to the Latino community.

In collaboration with Studio Theatre, AARP DC was successful in selling out a specially-priced matinee performance of the Tony Award-winning production of Torch Song Trilogy. Special thanks to a range of organizations and community listservs for promoting the performance which was a part of AARP DC’s ongoing collaboration with The Studio Theatre.

“La Feria de la Familia” (Family Fair Day) comes to the Washington, DC area on Sunday, November 10 at the DC Armory. A first-time sponsor of this free annual gathering for education, entertainment and empowerment, the AARP District of Columbia State Office views its sponsorship as a part of its ongoing engagement with Latinos in the DC area. Sharing Spanish-language information and responding to questions about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a top priority for AARP DC’s participation at “La Feria De La Familia.” AARP DC booth visitors will be greeted by volunteers and guided through a special online “tool” http://healthlawanswers.aarp.org to learn more about signing up for the Health Benefit Exchange. The advantage of this on-site tool allows individuals another option outside of the federal government ACA site. “La Feria de la Familia” represents another opportunity for AARP DC to partner with the Health Benefit Exchange Authority http://hbx.dc.gov on responding to queries about ACA from the Latino community.

AARP District of Columbia boosted awareness about age-friendly communities through a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA) currently underway in Boston. There are 13,000 attendees at this year’s APHA conference. AARP DC is participating in a multi-year initiative through the AARP Network of Age Friendly Communities. AARP DC is an active participant of Age Friendly District of Columbia (AFC-DC), a public-private partnership that encourages active and healthy living for all residents of the District, especially those ages 50 and older. AARP DC has brokered a partnership with the legislative and executive branches of the District of Columbia government, 45 faith-based organizations and 17 senior-service providers launching a planning phase.

Vera Abbott and Charles Talley received the AARP District of Columbia Andrus Award for Community Service -- the Association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service. The award was formally presented to Mrs. Abbott and Mr. Talley at the AARP District of Columbia Andrus Award and Volunteer Recognition ceremonies on October 17, 2013. This is the first time the AARP District of Columbia State Office has announced co-recipients for this award. AARP District of Columbia selected these recipients for their remarkable service which has greatly benefited the District of Columbia, supported AARP’s vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers.

AARP District of Columbia 5 th Annual Food Drive is October 4-5

AARP launches its 40 Day Pledge website, www.decidecreateshare.org. The website – an extension of AARP’s Decide. Create. Share.℠ initiative – empowers women with valuable information, free resources and interactive tools we can use to spark and complete a comprehensive long-term care plan in just a few steps.

Studio Theatre is providing a discount offer for AARP members and AARP friends. Tickets for Torch Song Trilogy are $30.00 each for the October 19, 2013, 2:00 pm show.