Charlotte Advocates!

Each month, AARP volunteers offer their talents and their time to have a positive impact in the Charlotte region. Whether its leading a workshop on a valuable topic or lending a hand to local organizations fighting hunger, our local volunteer program matches the commitment of those who want to give back with the resources of AARP.

Now, for the first time in Charlotte, our volunteer opportunities include legislative advocacy on federal, state and local issues.

“This is a really significant development for AARP in Charlotte, said Mike Olender, the Charlotte-based Associate State Director for AARP North Carolina. “Too often decision makers neglect to consider how certain policies affect older residents, and wish they had heard from those residents prior to making those decisions, he added.

Beginning this fall, the AARP Charlotte Volunteer Network will include an Advocacy Team which will be committed to working with all levels of government to ensure that the voice of the 50+ is heard. A series of volunteer recruitment and information sessions were held during August and the new team will be trained to lead AARP’s advocacy work.

On the federal level, AARP’s current focus is called “Take a Stand”, which aims to engage those seeking office and re-election on the issue of Social Security. Facing a solvency challenge, AARP is asking all candidates to state their position on how they would strengthen the program for future generations, and explain how they would work in a bipartisan fashion to do it.

“As Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and those seeking Congressional seats come to the Charlotte area, we want to engage them and the public on Take a Stand so Social Security becomes of more important issue for voters, Olender said.

On the state level, AARP North Carolina is preparing to make advancements for caregiver families supporting people with Alzheimer’s Disease. The state’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia released a list of formal recommendations this year, and in 2017 AARP will be advocating to enact those recommendations so families in North Carolina can be better suited to deal with those challenges, and agencies serving them can be better supported by the state.

Locally, the advocacy team will be monitoring city and county developments to ensure that the voice of 50+ is being heard.

“Charlotte is regarded as a ‘young’ city, said Olender. “Most of the housing development, for example, is clearly geared toward millennials moving into the city for work. But what is often overlooked is that in many cases their parents are following them here and need suitable housing. Urban boomers also share a lot in common with millennials, and so it makes sense that housing include universal design features like wider doorways and streets are walkable so residents have the option to age-in-place and continue to be engaged in the local economy and civic life of the city.”

Though the recruitment sessions took place in July and early August, you can still get involved if you like. Volunteer recruitment is on-going and AARP is always looking for new talent to help increase the impact of our programs. We need you! If you are interested in learning more about AARP’s advocacy volunteer program, please contact Mike Olender at molender@aarp.org or (704) 359-7407.