AARP Eye Center
After a long break, AARP El Comité is back meeting at the AARP Colorado office and welcomes a new staff member, Marissa Volpe, to help lead the Hispanic advisory group.
El Comité assists and advises AARP Colorado in targeted outreach to increase knowledge of and participation in AARP’s programs and services, as well as to foster meaningful involvement of Latinos/as in local leadership roles in governance, staff and volunteers. By promoting community and civic involvement through outreach, volunteerism, advocacy and awareness efforts, Colorado’s Latinos have a voice in El Comité.
The group helps empower Colorado’s Latinos with tools, resources and programs. Whether that has meant supporting older adults with Tax-Aide, fraud prevention, healthcare advocacy or Driver Safety programs, or raising awareness through advocacy calling trees, registering voters or creating forums, events and opportunities for connection and celebration, El Comité is a force for Colorado’s Latinos.
As new staff member, Marissa Volpe joins the Colorado state office as the Associate Director for Livable Communities, she will work alongside El Comité to amplify the work statewide and bring an increase of awareness, support and advocacy for the state’s Latino community. Volpe brings 20-plus years serving the state’s Hispano/Latino community working specifically with older adults in the health equity and cultural resources spaces. She is inspired to be part of a mission that is driven and volunteer-led that can focus its energy within community.
She plans to amplify the work of El Comité by adding a cadre of statewide volunteers to ensure Latinos across the state are connected to the work of AARP.
"Considering the state's deep and wide Latino history, I feel especially compelled to ensure representation and access to resources for a myriad of Colorado Latino communities," she said.
Volpe would like to connect longtime volunteers with newcomers to build a comprehensive Livable Communities plan. She plans to work toward communities where residents can age in place.
Her Hispana heritage connects her to her grandmother who served older adults in the Newark, New Jersey community. She is especially energized to celebrate the gifts Latino communities offer as they age—especially considering the unique challenges around caregiving.
El Comité meets regularly at the AARP offices in Denver and will be offering a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting option.
If you are interested in connecting with us, please do. Email mvolpe@aarp.org.
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