Karen Kafantaris wins Elder Law honor

Karen Kafantaris of AARP Michigan is among the 2016 recipients of the Elder Law of Michigan Joe D. Sutton Call to Justice Awards.

The award honors those who share the mission of Elder Law of Michigan to advocate for, educate, and assist those in need, with a focus on older adults and persons with disabilities.

Kafantaris, AARP Michigan Associate State Director for Community Outreach, has been with AARP Michigan since 2001. Elder Law of Michigan summarized her accomplishments as follows: “She brings educational events on housing and mobility to communities across the state, helping individuals remain in their own homes and safely maintain their mobility which in turn helps to retain independence.  Additionally she works on legislation pertaining to housing and mobility on the local, state and national levels.

“Karen leads the AARP Michigan Age-Friendly Communities work. This work provides a framework to help communities plan and prepare for the significantly large increase in the aging demographic that will continue to grow over the next 30 years.

“Karen was a founding member of the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition, which worked to pass State Complete Streets legislation in 2010 and provides support to municipalities interested in local level Complete Streets legislation.   She was appointed to by the Governor to the Complete Street Advisory Council in 2010.

“Karen is also the co-creator of the AARP HomeFit Program which is a signature program for AARP that helps individuals assess their current home and determine what they may need to do in order to remain there safely and retain their independence as long as possible.”