California Volunteer News

Greetings to you all! I know I am not the only one who started the new year reenergized and eager to engage volunteers in connecting with people and championing issues that matter most to Californians. AARP California also hit the ground running with many fun and meaningful events and activities. We are currently celebrating Black History Month and anticipating Lunar New Year and the upcoming Year of the Dog. Please “like” our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to find out more and to stay current on everything going on in California.

Our advocacy efforts are also ramping up, and we’ll be involved with several bills in the state legislature, so stay tuned to learn more. We will also continue to advocate in Washington in defense of Medicare and Social Security, as well as working with Congress to implement the RAISE Family Caregiver Act, a bipartisan (yes, you read that right!) bill that represents an important step in providing support to family caregivers in California and across the nation. If you would like to stay engaged with our advocacy efforts, I urge you to consider becoming an AARP E-Advocate. Find out more here.

As always, we want to hear from YOU about how we can make this e-newsletter better, so please share your feedback HERE. To stay up to date on current and future activities and events, visit the AARP California blog.

Thank you for your dedication in putting into practice AARP California’s mission to help create livable communities for all ages and to empower people to choose how they live as they age.

This year, AARP’s Multicultural Team rolled out a new Chinese website, which focuses on “Health, Wealth, and Self” and provides individuals with in-language AARP resources. The site’s launch was timed auspiciously to coincide with the new year and high hopes for a happy and prosperous Year of the Dog.

To celebrate Lunar New Year, AARP will have a float in the annual Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 17. San Francisco’s celebration is the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia and draws thousands of visitors from around the world.

To learn more about our Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) resources in English, visit aarp.org/aapi.org

2017 was an ambitious year for AARP at the State Capitol, with important legislative victories achieved in the areas of housing affordability, government transparency, voting rights, older workers, training for long-term supportive services (LTSS) workers, and prescription drug pricing. AARP staff and volunteers played a critical role in these efforts, making hundreds of visits to legislators in their districts and at the Capitol. Highlights of bills signed into law include:

• AB 275 requires nursing facilities to give greater advance notice (60 days) to a resident or his or her guardian when the facility plans to close or is no longer able to care for the resident.
• SB 17 requires drug makers to give a 60-day notice to California purchasers — including state agencies, health care service plans, health insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers — of any increase in the wholesale acquisition cost of a drug costing more than $40 if the wholesale acquisition cost exceeds 10 percent over a two-year period.
• SB 219 makes unlawful specific actions and practices in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) that discriminate based upon residents’ sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status.
• SB 449 requires an increase in the number of classroom hours required of CNAs.
• AB 1111 will create training opportunities that can equip persons over age 50 with the technical skills required to thrive in today’s work environments.
• SB 2 represents a step toward addressing California’s affordable housing shortage by imposing a fee on certain real property transfers, to be deposited in a Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund within the state treasury, and dedicates those proceeds to specified affordable-housing purposes.
• AB 918 requires that facsimile ballots be made available in loose-leaf format so voters can use them while voting privately instead of while standing at a wall.

In 2018, AARP California will again be working closely with legislators to build on 2017 victories and to address setbacks — all toward the goal of making life better for 50+ Californians and their families.

Did you know that only 31 percent of fourth-graders in this country are able to read at a proficient level? Moreover, research shows that those who don’t read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to leave school without a diploma. But YOU can help to change this by volunteering with AARP Experience Corps.

AARP Experience Corps is an award-winning, proven program that places people over age 50 in classrooms with students in kindergarten through third grade to help them improve their reading skills.

Experience Corps is currently seeking volunteers in these areas:

• Bay Area (Daly City, South San Francisco)
• East Bay (Berkeley and Oakland)
• Los Angeles
• Marin County
• Orange County
• Sacramento
• Sacramento and Yolo Counties
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• San Mateo County

NO PRIOR CLASSROOM OR TUTORING EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED. All volunteers take part in a comprehensive training program to ensure their success in the classroom.

If you are interested in helping children in your area, please visit one of the sites above or click here.

To see firsthand the changes our students and volunteers experience, please watch this inspiring video.

AARP chapters are a great way to get involved with a local group of AARP members doing some exciting things in their local community. AARP chapters meet monthly, plan social outings, participate in local community service projects, provide scholarships to college-bound high school students, and more. To learn more about AARP chapters or to locate one of the 25 chapters in California, visit AARP chapters.

The AARP Volunteer Portal is an online resource created especially for volunteers and staff across the Association. It provides a wealth of services, including a library of key documents, a quick expense-reimbursement process, materials ordering capability, online learning, and a collaboration feature to connect with fellow volunteers and AARP staff.

If you have not yet signed in, or if you are having challenges with the Volunteer Portal, please contact Antoine Cook at acook@aarp.org or 626-585-2608.

Keep an eye on your email for upcoming quarterly trainings and refreshers to make sure you utilize this very important tool for AARP volunteers!

AARP has had another busy year in Sacramento representing our members and all 50+ Californians in the halls of the Capitol. Below is a list of AARP priority legislation, along with the current status of each. Governor Brown has until Oct. 15 to sign or veto bills that have passed the Legislature.

AARP SUPPORTS:

• SB 449 (Monning) – Nursing Home Training: SIGNED INTO LAW
• SB 2 (Atkins) – Affordable Housing: SIGNED INTO LAW
• SB 17 (Hernandez) – Rx Drug Transparency: SIGNED INTO LAW
• AB 1269 (Stone) – Mobilehome Resident Protection: On the governor’s desk

AARP OPPOSES:

• SB 649 (Hueso) – Small Cell Towers [OPPOSE]: On the governor’s desk; AARP is asking for a VETO

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter to track the progress of these bills.

AARP in Los Angeles has prepared several events to celebrate the contributions of Latinos to our society and also to provide the public with tools to help them live their best lives after 50, such as:

• A celebration of the independence days of Mexico and the nations of Central America;
• A roundtable conversation about the legacy of the Braceros program;
• A screening of the classic movie, “La Bamba.”

To learn more about all of our Hispanic Heritage Month events (Sept. 15 through Oct. 15), please visit www.aarp.org/losangeles. Para información en español.

Millions of older Americans can breathe a sigh of relief that, for now, the health care coverage on which they rely will not be put at risk.

In one of the most dramatic endings to a debate on the Senate floor, Republican Sen. John McCain cast the deciding vote to derail an effort by Senate leaders to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In the end, it was McCain of Arizona and Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska who joined 46 Democrats and two Independents in opposing a watered-down version of repeal.

Our volunteers led the charge, as AARP joined with other consumer advocates, as well as hospitals, doctors, nurses, and other health care organizations to vigorously oppose proposals that were considered by Congress over the summer.

“We thank Senators Collins, McCain and Murkowski, as well as Senate Democrats and Independents, who heard the voices of all those who called, emailed, rallied and wrote to object to this seriously flawed bill,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. “We reiterate our willingness to work with Congress and this administration in a bipartisan way to strengthen our health care system, lower costs and improve care.”

What comes next on the legislative front is still an open question. After the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said it was time to “move on.” But lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have said some changes to the ACA are necessary to shore up health insurance markets and bring down health care costs.

As this newsletter is “going to press,” yet another attempt to weaken vital parts of the ACA has failed in the Senate. We hope this will be the last we see of this terrible bill, but we will remain vigilant to any emerging threats to the health and well-being of 50+ Americans – and YOU will be the first to know.

The passion for the game of soccer unites families and generations. And this year AARP kicked off a new partnership Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy through the 2018 season. As a social mission organization, we believe that age and experience can expand one’s possibilities, and we offer tools and programs that help support and strengthen communities. To exemplify this through our partnership with the LA Galaxy, we want to celebrate mentors and the people who support the passions of others — in this case, the passion for soccer. The LA Galaxy and AARP have teamed up for their first annual Fantasy Fútbol Camp at StubHub Center in January 2018 for 10 lucky winners and their nominees. Learn more about this contest at www.sweeps.aarp.org/soccer and nominate someone who supports your passion for soccer by Nov. 30.

Through this partnership we are helping celebrate mentors and using the game of soccer as a vehicle to educate our members and the community at large about the work AARP is doing in the Los Angeles region to empower people to choose how they live as they age. AARP California will be at the Stubhub Center for the remaining home games this season: Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 15. Stop by our booth for a giveaway and to nominate someone for the Fantasy Fútbol Camp. The booth is located inside the stadium across from the LA Galaxy Team Store on the South Plaza.

Stay tuned for information on how you can use your AARP membership to get discounts on LA Galaxy gear and tickets for the 2018 season.

This November will mark the one-year anniversary of the passage of Measure M. Throughout this month, AARP and our partners will hold a series of informative and entertaining events that extend our call to action for our members and all residents to be involved in shaping the future of transportation in the region. AARP strives to be a trusted resource, advocate and partner when it comes to policies and initiatives we endorse. True to our pledge of last year, M4 activities are intended to remind everyone involved that 71 percent of LA County voters expect to be kept informed about the progress of Measure M-funded projects and expect those projects to be implemented in an accountable, high-quality, and cost-effective way. The culmination of M4 events is a Transportation Ball, which will take place at Union Station on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. To learn about all of the great M4 events and to register to participate, please visit our Los Angeles website. Para español, visita: www.aarp.org/quepasala

AARP continues to play an active role in the development and eventual implementation of the California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program. While the program is under development, we want to keep you to be informed about the process and some of the critical elements of the program’s development and rollout.

The Secure Choice Board has been working with stakeholders from the consumer, employer and business communities. Two informal workgroups have been formed: Employer Workgroup and Employee/Consumer Workgroup. AARP is a member of the Employee/Consumer Workgroup. This approach is unique to California.

The purpose of these workgroups is to obtain input from the business community, as well as from the consumer community, on how the Secure Choice Program should work — from eligibility to participate in the program to how the enrollment process will work for employees and employers.

Once the workgroups’ recommendations are reviewed, staff will draft regulations that will be submitted to the Secure Choice Board for their review and approval. Public participation events will be scheduled in 2018, and the public will be able to give their input on the design of the program.

The Secure Choice Board has hired AKF Consulting to oversee the bid process for the third party administrator. This will be the firm that manages the Secure Choice investment products. In typical California fashion, the board wants to create a name and logo that will be unique to our state. The board also approved a request for quotes from 15 vendors to come up with a new name for the program, create a logo, and develop other elements that will help with the outreach and education phase.

If you are interested in following the developments around the Secure Choice Program more closely, the monthly board meetings are open to the public, and information about the progress on the design and implementation is available on the State Treasurer’s website.

AARP San Diego had a busy summer in the community working to share information on what AARP is all about and how folks can prepare for their future. Learn more about how San Diego volunteers made a difference in their community over the summer.

Become an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteer and join the largest volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service. You can make a big difference in someone else’s life. We’ll show you how.

For nearly 50 years, Tax-Aide has offered free tax filing help to anyone, especially those 50 and older, who can’t afford a tax preparation service. Tax-Aide volunteers make a difference in their communities by assisting many older, lower-income taxpayers who might otherwise miss out on the credits and deductions they’ve earned. Tax-Aide volunteers receive training and support in a welcoming environment.

“We are looking for volunteers throughout the state to serve in a variety of roles,” says Jerry Lopatin, our top volunteer lead for Tax-Aide in the Pacific Region, including California “We certainly need tax preparers, but there are also other roles, like translators, greeters, and technologists. Volunteers come away with a great sense of satisfaction in helping people who need it most.”

Every level of experience is welcome. If you’re interested in making a difference in your community, there’s a role for you.

Good with the fine print and using computers?

• Volunteer tax preparers work with taxpayers directly, filling out tax returns and helping them seek a refund. Experience isn’t necessary — we provide training and IRS certification.

Love working with people?

• Client facilitators welcome taxpayers, help organize their paperwork and manage the overall flow of service.

Skilled in all things digital?

• Technology coordinators manage computer equipment, ensure taxpayer data security and provide technical assistance to volunteers at multiple sites.

Want to help get the word out?

• Communications coordinators promote AARP Foundation Tax-Aide and recruit volunteers in their community.

Have a knack for running things?

• Leadership and administrative volunteers manage other volunteers, make sure program operations run smoothly, track volunteer assignments and site activities, and help maintain quality control.

Speak a second language?

• We need you! There’s a big demand for bilingual speakers in all roles. We also need dedicated interpreters who can assist other volunteers.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has grown remarkably since its inaugural team began with just four volunteers in 1968. In California, more than 2,800 volunteers secured nearly $96 million in refunds for the 2016 tax year. In addition, the program now involves nearly 35,000 volunteers nationwide and serves 2.5 million taxpayers annually at some 5,000 sites nationwide. In 2016, taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.37 billion in income tax refunds and more than $222 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs).

We hope you’ll join us. Apply here or call 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669)

Greetings to all AARP volunteers! Through this e-newsletter, we hope to keep you connected and informed on issues affecting the 50+ population in California. In this issue you will find a roundup of AARP activities related to federal and state issues that matter to you, providing fresh opportunities to stay engaged. You’ll also learn about some major community events in which AARP volunteers and staff have participated. Our goal is to provide you with useful and timely information to help keep you connected, informed, and active. Volunteers are vital to our success, and we need you now more than ever. Please know that you play a critical role in strengthening our communities, and I look forward to continue working side by side with you in building a better California for all.

To stay up-to-date on current and future activities and events, visit the AARP California blog.

AARP California recently conducted a study to understand the financial plans of Gen Xers and Boomers and how prepared they are for their financial future. The survey, titled “California Dreaming … or Struggling: Gen X and Boomer Financial Security,” reveals that, for the most part, Californians are not ready for retirement. And while they remain optimistic, many are struggling with issues of housing affordability and are having difficulty saving for retirement.

The study, conducted statewide, interviewed adults ages 36-70 in the workforce in California’s major metro areas. The results from across the state found that issues of affordable housing and retirement savings go hand-in-hand among Gen Xers and Boomers. This feeling of financial insecurity is particularly pronounced with Gen Xers. Many rate their housing expenses as a “major” obstacle to saving for retirement, and more than half of those polled, six in ten (61 percent), have considered leaving the state due to the high cost of living.

Learn more HERE.

AARP is in the midst of a major campaign opposing the American Health Care Act (AHCA), a bill recently passed by the House of Representatives, which would drastically increase premiums for people 50+ and those with pre-existing conditions.

“This legislation creates what amounts to an ‘age tax’ by allowing insurers to drastically increase premiums for persons between 50 and 64, who do not yet qualify for Medicare,” says AARP California State Director Nancy McPherson.

“The health care companies call this discriminatory practice ‘age rating,’ but make no mistake: It is double-speak for overcharging millions of older Americans thousands of dollars per year for their health care.”

Due in large part to AARP’s efforts to inform our members and the public about the dire consequences of this legislation, its advocates were initially forced to delay a vote on the bill due to a lack of “yes” votes. While the AHCA did eventually pass the House, its prospects in the Senate are much dimmer, and AARP is engaging in an all-out effort — including social media, email, and radio and television ads — to pressure senators to reject the AHCA. California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris have both expressed their opposition to the bill, and AARP continues to put pressure on others to follow their lead. This is a fight we must win, lest we return to the pre-ACA days of astronomical premiums and denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

To stay informed and engaged in this and other critical advocacy efforts, follow AARP California on Facebook and Twitter.

On June 11, AARP staff and volunteers participated once again in CicLAvia, this time in the city of Glendale. Thousands of people of all ages and abilities were able to experience the streets of their city free of cars.

CicLAvia is the country’s largest open-streets event. AARP has proudly participated in several of these events as a way to address our commitment to safe streets and healthy living for people of all ages. Over the last six years, CicLAvia has temporarily closed streets to motor vehicles across the city and county of Los Angeles to enable people from all backgrounds to come together to bike, walk, skate, dance, and play. Free to the public, the event “unlocks” the streets, giving the community a safe and affordable environment for exercise, play, and social activity. At the same time, it broadens our thinking about how public space is used in our communities.

At the Glendale event, as at previous events, AARP provided free pedicabs at the three hubs throughout the route, and also hosted a Classic Play Zone, where friends, families, and neighbors engaged in intergenerational fun with classic board games. AARP also distributed free AARP Metro Tap Cards (fare card) to those who showed their AARP membership card. Check out some of the highlights.

On May 20-21, AARP participated in the 34^th annual Long Beach Pride Festival, one of the largest LGBT pride festivals in California. Thousands of people attended the two-day event, which included a parade, live performances, and family activities. AARP hosted a booth where we shared information on all the important work we are doing. Those who stopped by our booth were able to take a fun photo with a festive, Pride-themed background and received information on Livable Communities, Fraud Watch, Caregiving, and AARP TEK. AARP staff also participated in Pride events with Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia and other officials.

On Saturday, June 3, AARP staff and volunteers participated in Sacramento Pride 2017, sharing information on AARP resources and advocacy efforts, as well as distributing free items such as fans, which were much appreciated on a hot day! The annual event on Capitol Mall drew thousands of attendees, many of whom visited AARP’s Pride is Ageless booth and were pleased to see AARP supporting the event. Many thanks to volunteers Kimba Livesay, Joy Defenbaugh, Jim Brewer, Charlotte Dorsey, Jim Colgan, Nadine Bollard, and Carol Bollard, all of whom represented AARP with grace and charm! #PrideIsAgeless

More than 200 people attended our Sip, Sample & Dance event on May 20^th in San Diego, where they enjoyed an evening of international food, wine and dancing. Attendees also learned more about AARP in San Diego and our efforts to create more livable communities, as well as local volunteer opportunities. Check out photos and videos from the event HERE.

Students learning to read can get a boost from caring adults 50+ who volunteer for AARP Foundation Experience Corps, an early literacy tutoring program. Experience Corps has received rave reviews from volunteers, teachers, and principals who are seeing the results, not only in rising student scores on reading assessments but also in improved self-confidence and enthusiasm for learning. New programs began last fall in San Diego, Sacramento, West Sacramento, and San Mateo County. Combined with two existing programs in the Bay Area, Experience Corps volunteers in California now help provide more than 1,200 students the extra help they need to achieve grade-level reading proficiency. All program locations are seeking additional volunteers, as many students are already on wait-lists to receive tutoring. To learn more about the program and how you can volunteer, visit the Experience Corps home page.

AARP Driver Safety is looking for California volunteers to help grow our educational programs by serving as instructors, specialists, directors, and coordinators. Join a network of nearly 300 passionate volunteers who are working to improve driving skills and help to make our roads and communities safer.

The award-winning AARP Smart Driver classroom course curriculum is proven to help drivers make fewer errors. Additionally, upon completion of the course, California drivers can receive a discount on their auto insurance.

Each year, volunteers teach 2,000 courses in California, reaching nearly 23,000 drivers. With your help, they can do even more.

Learn more about AARP Driver Safety and the various volunteer opportunities HERE or by calling 877-846-3299. Connect on Facebook and Twitter.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides free tax preparation help for anyone — particularly those 50+ — who cannot afford tax-preparation services. The program, now in its 49th year, has helped more than 50 million people since it launched in 1968. Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free volunteer tax program and is offered in collaboration with the IRS.

In the 2017 tax season, Tax-Aide served 2.5 million people nationally, helping them save $300 million in tax preparation fees. The program has also 5,000 sites nationwide and more than 34,000 volunteers.

We are looking for compassionate and friendly individuals to join our volunteer team. We’ll provide the training and support to help you learn new skills, and you’ll get a great feeling from helping someone else.

Although most of our volunteers are tax preparers, there are many roles volunteers can serve, including:

• Counselors who work with taxpayers directly, completing tax returns and helping them find the deductions and credits they’ve earned;
• Client facilitators who welcome taxpayers, help organize their paperwork, and manage the overall flow of service;
• Technology coordinators who manage computer equipment, ensure taxpayer data is secure, and provide technical assistance to volunteers at different local sites;
• Leadership and administrative volunteers who make sure program operations run smoothly, manage volunteers, help with training, track volunteer assignments and site activities, and maintain overall quality control;
• Communications coordinators who promote the program to prospective volunteers and taxpayers.

Speak a second language? We have a big demand for bilingual speakers in all roles, especially dedicated interpreters who can assist other volunteers.

If you would like someone to contact you about being a volunteer, go to www.aarp.org/taxaide or call 888-AARP-NOW (888-227-7669).

Dear AARP Volunteers,

Welcome to our first issue of your AARP California Volunteers Newsletter. As a volunteer myself, I know how important is to listen to you! And that is why we are presenting you with this first issue of this newsletter electronically. This new format was created in response to the large number of responses we received to our online survey, conducted earlier this year. Among other things, you told us that you wanted to stay informed on what’s happening in the AARP CA state office related to events and programs, as well as about stories regarding local advocacy around our priority issues. You also told us that you prefer to receive this information electronically. Most of you let us know that you would prefer a bi-monthly or quarterly newsletter, so we are starting off with quarterly editions, but may increase the frequency to bimonthly if we receive lots of feedback to that effect.

In this first issue you will find information about how our (and YOUR) advocacy efforts secured the passage of the California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Act (SB 1234) as well as the latest news on Caregiving, Fraud, and our work to promote Livable Communities. And speaking of cities, I recently had the honor of shooting our second Los Angeles television spot. The theme of the ad campaign is “We Hear You,” and it is designed to promote the many exciting and engaging events and activities we have organized In the Los Angeles region. Check it out here!

On the advocacy front, Governor Brown signed the California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Act (SB 1234), which addresses the coming crisis in retirement savings. SB 1234 will create a simple, affordable, and automatic way to help private sector workers save their own money for retirement. These accounts will be completely portable, meaning they can be taken from job to job, helping millions of Californians without a workplace retirement plan.

Just in time for upcoming presidential election, you’ll learn about AARP’s Take A Stand campaign, which is designed to press the presidential candidates to tell voters exactly how they would update Social Security for the future, and how their plan will affect their families, how they’ll pay for it, and when they’ll get it done.

November is Caregiving month, and so we are sharing information about how you can help us spread the news about the new Hospital & Family Caregiver Law, which will help family caregivers by requiring hospitals to do more to help and inform them.

In the Fraud Watch Network article we recognize volunteers that have contributed greatly in teaching others how to spot and avoid scams. You, too, can become a Fraud Watch Network volunteer and teach others in your community how to protect themselves and their families.

Over the past year, our AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities Program in California has quickly taken off. In November 2014, San Francisco became the first city in the state to join the Network. Since then we have welcomed West Sacramento, San Diego County, West Hollywood, the City and County of Los Angeles, Saratoga and Chula Vista. And with those valued partnerships in place, we’re committed to continuing our work with mayors, city council members and a vast array of community leaders. Learn what each city and community is now doing as part of their efforts to become age friendly and be part of this growing movement right there where you live.

Last but not least, check out our calendar of events taking place in your city. We are offering an array of local events from our TEK program so you learn how to better use your smartphones and tablets and stay connected to friends and family, a series of CAREversations so you can connect with other caregivers, learn from each other’s experiences and obtain information on local resources. For more information on our local events please visit www.aarp.org/california and/or www.aaarp.org/losangeles. Para español, por favor visita: www.aarp.org/quepasala

We have a robust social media presence and would love to see you there too! Please join us on Facebook and Twitter to stay informed and entertained!

We would love to hear from you. Please contact us with your comments and opinions by email: cavolunteer@aarp.org

Sincerely,

Patricia Pérez

AARP California State President

By Blanca Castro, Advocacy Manager

bcastro@aarp.org

In California alone, 7.5 million people working in the private sector lack access to a retirement savings plan through their job.

More than ever, people are ill-prepared for retirement because many workers do not have access to a system that allows them to save while earning income.

At AARP, we recognize that for many Americans, a major barrier to saving for the future is the absence of a retirement savings program at their place of employment which is why we have been strong supporters of a Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program.

Secure Choice addresses this problem by creating an automatic-enrollment savings program, which will allow workers to easily set aside a portion of every paycheck, to help them build their savings. The simple fact is that workers who have access to an auto-enrollment plan are 15 times more likely to save for their future.

The program was outlined in a bill introduced in the California State Legislature by Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León, which is based upon recommendations from California State Treasurer John Chiang and the Secure Choice Retirement Savings Investment Board. Governor Brown signed the bill in late September. SB 1234 establishes an automatically-enrolled savings program for private-sector workers whose employers do not offer a retirement plan. Secure Choice will help millions of workers improve their financial security by offering them a low-risk, low-cost and portable savings plan. This innovative approach is being watched nationwide as a template for improving retirement security for millions of Americans.

It is also critical to note that Secure Choice would not have passed without the grassroots efforts of our members, volunteers, who helped to make this important legislation a reality.

Learn more about the Secure Choice program at: http://securechoiceca.aarp.org/

By Nina Weiler-Harwell, ASD Community

nweiler@aarp.org

On January 1, 2016, a new, common-sense measure protecting California’s 4.4 million family caregivers became law. The Hospital & Family Caregiver Law helps family caregivers by requiring hospitals to:

• Provide patients the opportunity to designate a family caregiver when admitted
• Keep the caregiver informed about their loved one’s discharge plans
• Provide education and instruction, when appropriate, of aftercare tasks – such as medication management, wound care and other tasks that the family caregiver will perform at home.

AARP California State Office staff is working with a growing cadre of caregiving volunteers to get the word out about this new law. A dozen volunteers have already been trained to present to local organizations about the new law and to answer questions about local services for caregivers –and you could easily be one of them!

We are seeking additional community-based volunteers throughout the state to make connections with local organizations to tell them about the Hospital and Family Caregiver Law. AARP staff will provide you with training, coaching and caregiving informational materials that will enable you to make local presentations in your community. As with any AARP volunteer position, expenses for travel to and from speaking venues will be paid.

One example of the collateral our trained volunteers can distribute at these events is a “wallet card” that can be placed in a caregiver’s wallet as a reminder of the new protections available to California’s family caregivers. A downloadable version can be found here: (Insert website)

This is an excellent opportunity to communicate with local organizations about the work AARP does every day to support family caregivers, and to show how AARP is fighting for a better life for all Californians.

If you wish to be part of the caregiving team, please contact Nina Weiler-Harwell at nweiler@aarp.org, or 916-556-3027, or Antoine Cook, acook@aarp.org, 626-585-2608.

By Christina Clem, ASD Community
cclem@aarp.org


We all deserve to feel good about where we are in life and to embrace our own aging. Here in California, we see incredible opportunities to change the perceptions of aging by developing our cities and towns into even greater places to live our best lives.

As a matter of fact, the staff and volunteers of AARP are working hard at the local level to help California cities become more age friendly. Over the past year, our AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities Program in California has quickly taken off. To be accepted into the Network, a city or community must commit to undertake a five-year cycle. The first two years are dedicated to assessing the current age-friendliness of a city; identifying gaps in needs and services and creating a three-year age-friendly plan. The remainder of the cycle is spent continually assessing and improving the age-friendly plan which includes involving older residents in a meaningful way.

The Network is an affiliate of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Program, an international effort launched in 2006 to help cities prepare for rapid population aging and the parallel trend of urbanization. Communities in more than 20 nations are participating. While the focus is older residents, the strategies and outcomes promoted in via the program will result in communities that work for people of all ages.

In November 2014, San Francisco became the first city in the state to join the Network. Since then we have welcomed West Sacramento, San Diego County, West Hollywood, the City and County of Los Angeles, Saratoga and Chula Vista. And with those valued partnerships in place, we’re committed to continuing our work with mayors, city council members and a vast array of community leaders.

San Francisco (Nov. 2014) – San Francisco is making great progress. They are in the final stages of editing their 3-year plan prior to submitting to AARP and WHO for approval. The city is currently conducting a round of interviews with subject matter experts to ensure their proposed plan is not only comprehensive but achievable.

West Sacramento (June 2015) – In June, the city convened their first Age-Friendly Steering Committee meeting, which is comprised of city councilmembers, commissioners from various departments and older adult advocates – all residents of the city. These meetings will be held bi-monthly and are open to the public to encourage civic participation from community residents.

West Hollywood (April 2016) – With a 5-year strategic plan already developed, West Hollywood’s public officials have made significant progress in identifying the needs of their older residents. They have also incorporated the needs of two large city populations – their LGBT and Russian-speaking residents. The California office is working with the city to establish milestones and measurable outcomes to prepare the plan for submission to AARP and WHO.

City and County of Los Angeles (May 2016) – Unique in its size and complexity, the city and county of Los Angeles took a different approach when joining the Network. While following the requirement of AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, the Los Angeles area has established a coalition of partners and has dubbed their effort the Purposeful Aging Age-Friendly initiative that unites public and private leadership, resources, ideas and strategies. Partners include AARP, the County of Los Angeles Community and Senior Services (CSS), the City of Los Angeles Department of Aging, the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging, the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and the UCLA Los Angeles Academic Partnership for Research in Aging.

Saratoga (May 2016) – Remember the little engine that could? That is how we feel about Saratoga. Within two weeks of contacting the state office about joining the network, the city leaders have recruited their advisory committee, sent in their application for membership and will soon roll out a resident survey to identify gaps in needs and services.

San Diego County (June 2016) – The San Diego area has been pursuing livable community projects for decades and are often recognized as one of leading metropolitan areas in engaging in intergenerational work. The county has also done much of their age-friendly leg work by creating a Live Well San Diego plan that addresses many of the needs of older residents. AARP has also partnered with the county’s Aging and Independent Services to conduct numerous listening sessions to engage residents directly and gather feedback to inform their plan.

Chula Vista (July 2016) – Chula Vista is comprised of four distinct communities, each with different aging needs. AARP is currently working with city officials to conduct a resident survey to gauge where residents rank the city in terms of age-friendliness. Their Healthy Chula Vista plan has already identified resident needs and can be used as the basis for their 3-year plan.

California cities face big hurdles – the most prominent are affordable housing and coordinated transportation. AARP is an organization of real possibilities because we believe that no one’s possibilities should be limited by their age, and that experience has value. That’s why the Network of Age-Friendly Communities makes such great sense. It’s meant to help towns and cities become great places by adopting features like walkable streets, better housing and transportation options, as well as key services, all of which helps to ensure that more people participate in a full array of community activities.

Word of mouth is spreading. The state office has received inquiries from several additional cities across the state about joining the program. Engaging members and volunteers in these communities is imperative. For this to be a great state, more work will be done to give residents opportunities to live rewarding, productive and safe lives in age-friendly communities.

AARP California and its Fraud Watch Campaign congratulates volunteer Ken Allan for his outstanding work in our fight against fraud, scams and identity theft. Ken is recognized for the many AARP Fraud Watch presentations he has made in Southern California, including AARP Shred fest, Bridge creek and Oakmont Retirement Communities. Ken has been a vital leader in the effort to arm Californians with information they need to protect themselves and their families from fraud and scams. AARP California congratulates and recognizes Ken as our Third Quarter, Fraud Fighter.

“I love serving my community this way,” Ken said. “It is a delight meeting with seniors and hearing their stories. It shows that AARP’s Fraud Watch Network is communicating with the very people hit hardest with the various scams out there.”

Ken is a graduate of San Jose State where he earned a BA in Journalism. He is now retired after 41 years as a civilian sports broadcaster with the American Forces Network. For three years he was an US Army sports broadcaster with American Forces Network in Europe. He was also an umpired for division 1 college baseball for 30 years. Ken just celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary and he and his wife have lived in Diamond Bar for 35 years. The Allans have two adult daughters and four grandchildren.

“Our parents were right. Knowledge is power. A typical example is the IRS phone call scam. People have lost millions because they didn’t know the IRS never conducts this type of business on the phone,” Ken added.

Chequita Falls from San Diego is the second 2016 Fraud Fighter recognized this year. Chequita has been an AARP volunteer for three years now and an AARP member since she turned 50 years old. She decided to work on the FWN campaign because she already works with seniors as a full time Manager of Meals-on-Wheels for Greater San Diego.

“Becoming a volunteer for The Fraud Watch Network program was a great fit for me and the work I already do with seniors. I also chose to volunteer with this campaign because fraud is a real concerned not only for seniors, but because it is such a universal topic, anyone, from any age and from anywhere can be a victim of that.”

Chequita has shared her knowledge about how to prevent fraud with a series of nonprofit organizations on the South Bay, such as the National City Collaborative and others. She also includes fraud tips on a monthly newsletter she gives out to her clients and volunteers of the Meals-on-Wheels program.

This past July, several of Chequita’s volunteers at the Meals-on-Wheels programs received the FWN’s train the trainers so they too can go out and spread this message to others. “If we can stop one person from being scammed, I think that is an awesome thing. The more information we give to people, the better off they are,” she said.

During the month of September Chequita and her team will participate in a conference for seniors called “Stronger Longer”. “A good weapon to stay stronger longer is education and I will be sharing a 20 minute presentation in this conference on the FWN.”

Chequita told us that the stories she hears from people the most when giving presentations are mainly about being scammed through phone calls. “This happens more often because seniors are more open and trusting of others and many times they are lonely and like talking to people on the phone.” Chequita advices them constantly to be aware of this type of scams and that if something doesn’t feel right just to hug up the phone and never give personal information over the phone.

AARP Foundation Experience Corps is looking for local volunteers, age 50 or older, to help children in kindergarten through third grade improve their reading skills. If a child can’t read proficiently by the time they enter fourth grade, they are four times more likely not to graduate from high school. The statistic is even higher for children living in poverty. Alarmingly, only 28% of California’s 4^th graders are proficient in reading (2015 NAEP scores) and for children living in poverty, only 18% of California’s 4^th graders are reading proficiently (2015 National Kids Count). Experience Corps empowers older adults to serve in their community where they help to disrupt the cycle of poverty by tutoring children who aren’t reading at grade level – guiding them to become great readers by the end of third grade.

The reading crisis statewide is evidenced by California’s rank as 49^th in the country for 4^th grade reading (Studentsfirst.org). There are many factors that contribute to this reading crisis, as children today are faced with significant challenges that affect academic success. Some of these challenges include poverty, difficulty speaking or understanding English, learning disabilities, exposure to trauma, emotional behavior disorders, and lack of access or exposure to books. Experience Corps tutors create mentoring relationships as they build students’ confidence and improve their academic performance.

By helping young students become better readers, AARP Foundation Experience Corps seeks to ensure a lasting legacy of strong futures, supported schools and empowered volunteers. In the 2014-2015 school year, 30,162 students were tutored by over 2,063 Experience Corps volunteers in 1,878 classrooms nationwide. Various studies have measured the outcomes of the Experience Corps program on children in grades kindergarten through third and found that students being tutored by an Experience Corps volunteer had 60% greater gains in key literacy skills in just one year. They also scored higher on reading assessments and had better behavior in school.

Not only is the Experience Corps model a proven intervention with measurable benefits for students, it also provides positive mental and physical health benefits for the volunteers who participate. According to a 2010 study done by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, older adults who engage in volunteer activities report lower mortality rates, lower rates of depression, fewer physical limitations, and higher levels of well-being. A 2007 report published by the Corporation for National and Community Service found that older adults who volunteered with two or more organizations experienced 44% lower mortality rates over a five-year period when compared to older persons who did not volunteer, taking other factors such as age, health, habits and social support into consideration.

Volunteering is especially helpful for older adults undergoing a transition such as retirement, the loss of a loved one, or moving. Civic engagement may be particularly helpful for older Americans dealing with a life stress or for those who are at-risk of being isolated. One study found that bereaved individuals who engaged in volunteering activities to help others experienced a shorter course of depression than those who did not volunteer (Brown, Brown, House, and Smith, 2008). Another study about Experience Corps showed volunteers experience increased brain activity as measured by functional MRIs and the preservation of cognitive function, as compared to a control group (Carlson et al., 2008; Carlson et al., 2009). A more recent study showed that after two years, volunteers from Experience Corps had reduced levels of depression and functional limitations, while the similar aged control group had increases in both categories (Hong and Morrow-Howell, 2010). In summary, volunteering is good for one’s health!

Most Experience Corps programs are run during the traditional school day in collaboration with classroom teachers. However, more and more programs are starting to see the opportunity that exists by providing Experience Corps tutoring in the expanded school day as well. As the host agency in San Diego, the Children’s Initiative is working with the expanded learning programs of local school districts to bring the Experience Corps model into the forefront of the after school arena. This will open up even more ways to maximize the time students are on campus. Some students get dropped off before 7am and are there until after 6pm. Extending Experience Corps tutoring into the after school hours not only utilizes the after school time to provide much needed literacy support, but also gives volunteers another option for their tutoring schedule. Tutors still work in collaboration with each school’s literacy teacher and local program staff so that they are fully supported throughout their volunteer process.

With program sites in many cities across the state, including a few new ones this year, AARP Foundation Experience Corps is leading the way in California! Programs in San Diego, the Bay Area, Marin and Sacramento are recruiting volunteers to join their Experience Corps teams. You have what it takes to change a young person’s life – and maybe even your own. Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of four hours a week, attend required trainings, and agree to a background check. Training, ongoing support and all supplies are provided.

Go to http://www.aarp.org/experience-corps/ to find the site nearest you and attend an upcoming information session to learn more about becoming an Experience Corps volunteer.

David Azevedo joined the AARP CA team in June 2016 as a Senior Program Specialist for the Los Angeles Metro Team in Pasadena. David was the Project Development Manager for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Information Technology Division where he managed a 10-member team of application developers, system architects, and business analysts. Prior to this role, he served as the District Director for LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan where he was the chief representative for Ms. Galatzan to community groups, Chambers of Commerce, and Neighborhood Councils, and elected officials. David also directed constituent services for the Board Member, both mediating and resolving constituent cases. In this role, David organized town halls and community events, developed community coalitions on policy campaigns, and wrote talking points for media and public appearances, and op-eds for newspapers and community newsletters. David’s work experience also includes serving as an Audit/Fraud Investigative Assistant for the Inspector General’s Office of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the campaign manager for a Pasadena mayoral candidate.

David earned a BA in political science with honors from Loyola Marymount University and a MPA from USC. He was a Mansard Fellow and Parliamentary Researcher for the Parliament of the United Kingdom and an Arabic Language Scholar in Tunis with the U.S. Department of State. David currently volunteers with the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy Mentor Program, and is a Governing Board Member of the New Leaders Council Los Angeles.

Jennifer joined the AARP CA team in May 2016 as a Senior Program Specialist in Sacramento. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Jennifer moved to the state capital city in 2011 to pursue her interests in government and policy. Prior to joining AARP, Jennifer worked as a Field Representative and Caseworker for Congresswoman Doris Matsui, who represents the 6th congressional district in Sacramento. Before that, she worked as a Program Coordinator for the nationally recognized Capital Fellows Program. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State University, East Bay, and her Master’s degree in Public Administration and Public Policy from Sacramento State University. In her free time, Jennifer also enjoys being involved in the community. She has served as a volunteer coach for the Junior Giants of Sacramento and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Philippine National Day Association, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships and leadership opportunities to outstanding youth leaders in Sacramento.

Luis Campillo joined the AARP CA team in November 2015 and serves as the Manager for the Los Angeles Metro Region based in the Pasadena office. In this role, Luis leads a cross functional team focused on positioning AARP as a trusted resource and leader in local communities, with elected officials (state and local), business and non-profit organizations. He leads the LA team of staff and volunteers in continuing to build and strengthen AARP’s multicultural and member relevance through advocacy, community outreach, volunteer growth through meaningful engagement, and greater brand awareness. Luis also has statewide matrix responsibility for CA’s volunteer management and engagement strategies.

Luis is a public and government affairs professional with over 10 years of public and private sector experience. He is skilled at working with all levels of government including congressional offices, federal agencies, and state and local officials. He has experience engaging multicultural third-party groups on a variety of public policy issues including media, telecommunications, and technology. He is accomplished at leading volunteer organizations in developing and executing engagement strategies and professional development programs.

Luis serves as the Treasurer of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Board of Directors, and is a board member of Brown Club of Los Angeles. He previously worked at the Ibarra Strategy Group, a leading government relations and public affairs firm in Washington, DC, before moving to Los Angeles to be closer to family. Luis also served in the Office of U.S. Senator Jack Reed (Rhode Island) and National Immigration Law Center.

Luis holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Brown University and an MBA from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.

Joy Hepp joined the AARP CA team in November 2015 and serves as an Associate State Director – Communications in the Los Angeles (Pasadena) office. Joy is a seasoned strategic communications and marketing professional with a proven track record of developing high-performing social media accounts and campaigns. Her background includes developing content for print, web and social media. Throughout her working experience, Joy has continued to provide freelance and consulting services focusing on marketing and editorial accounts for a range of clients with work appearing in CNN.com, Latina Magazine, LAist and HealthyCAl.org.

Joy is proficient in Spanish and has taken opportunities to further strengthen her Spanish through language immersion programs and living for two years in Mexico. While in Mexico, she served Guadalajara’s retired expatriate community as a writer for The Guadalajara Reporter newspaper. Her experience includes reporting on issues faced by the U.S. Latino population including worker rights, fair housing and education. Joy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Arizona State University and a Marketing Strategy Certificate from Cornell University.

Rafi Nazarians joined the AARP CA team in September 2016 as Associate State Director- Community in Los Angeles (Pasadena) office.

Rafi worked for United States Senator Barbara Boxer for many years in various capacities, most recently as Senior Field Representative. Rafi was responsible for Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties, serving as the Senator’s representative to local governments, elected officials, businesses, non-profit organizations, and constituents. He advised the Senator and her staff in Washington, D.C., and collaborated with communities on federal legislative needs and priorities. Rafi also served Senator Boxer as statewide liaison for areas of health, public works, and LGBT issues.

More recently, Rafi worked in the health care sector, serving as the first ever Manager of Government Affairs and Community Partnerships for a federally qualified health center. In that role, he was responsible for government affairs, advocacy, and policy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. Rafi was the primary liaison to government officials, community based organizations, and other key stakeholders. Rafi also served as a community relations consultant for large infrastructure and public works projects, worked in arts philanthropy, and has volunteered on numerous local and federal election campaigns.

Rafi holds a BA in Political Science from California State University, Los Angeles and he is currently pursuing an MS in Public Administration from the same university.

The California AARP Driver Safety (ADS) Program is looking for volunteers. If you are looking to volunteer in your local community to help keep drivers, roads and communities safer for all Californians then the California ADS Program is an option for you. The Program is looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to take part in volunteer opportunities such as Data Manager, District Coordinator, Zone Coordinator and Course Instructor. If you are interested in signing up or learning more please visit www.aarp.org/DSvolunteer8.

Before you know it, Tax Season will be upon us once again. You’ve got what it takes to be part of AARP Foundation Tax-Aide! AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service. And we want you to join us.

We started in 1968 with just four volunteers at one site preparing 100 tax returns. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide now involves more than 35,000 volunteers and serves 2.6 million taxpayers annually at more than 5,000 sites nationwide. In fact, we’re one of the most effective volunteer programs in America.

But even though we’ve grown a lot, we’re still all about the grassroots. You’ll be helping people in your own community with a much-needed service that’s free, individualized and has no strings attached.

Sign up in your community today. No tax experience needed, only a desire to help. Do apply to be a volunteer today!

Check out our Programs and Events taking place in your community during the last quarter of this year

For events taking place in Los Angeles, please check: www.aarp.org/losangeles

For events taking place in Sacramento, Bay Area and San Diego, please visit: www.aarp.org/california

Para información en español, por favor visita: www.aarp.org/quepasala