AARP Wisconsin Rewind: September 2023

Art, movies, and livable communities, oh my! September was a busy time- read on to learn about AARP Wisconsin’s activities last month.

Outreach & Education

AARP Wisconsin offers free outreach & education programming on a variety of topic from fraud prevention to caregiving to brain health. In September we:

Sponsored Art @ 50+ in La Crosse, an event highlighting artists over 50 and connecting the community with these artists
Hosted our friends from AARP Driver Safety for their meeting, learning more about their programs
Connected the community with local healthcare providers during Walk With a Doc at Dineen Park
Convened our Executive Council for a review of our year so far and a look ahead at the rest of the year
Shared our love of cinema with folks in La Crosse and Milwaukee with our Movies For Grownups screenings of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
• Presented a workshop on the latest scams, new trends and leading the fight against fraud while furthering our great partnership with WREA as sponsor of the conference
Took in the colors & lights as we participated in the annual China Lights festival with our Milwaukee neighbors
Collaborated with Telemundo, Wisconsin Latino News, and the Spanish Journal to run PSAs in Spanish about current scams
Spoke about AARP's caregiving resources for Melanin Minded, a non-profit based in Milwaukee that focuses on helping Black caregivers who have a loved one with dementia
Hosted webinars & shared information with media partners during Falls Prevention Week (9/18 - 9/23), raising awareness that when it comes to falls, age is irrelevant
Offered a volunteer-led presentation on the "Six Pillars of Brain Health" at the Muslim Community Center in Milwaukee
Celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by participating in United Community Center's kickoff and highlighting Wisconsin based organizations that support the Hispanic community
Volunteered at the Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee, packing 483 boxes of food for Wisconsin residents

Legislative Advocacy

AARP Wisconsin is a wise friend and fierce defender – we’re in your corner, advocating for policies that improve the lives of Wisconsinites aged 50+. In August we:

Met with Congressman Gallagher in De Pere to speak about our federal priorities, giving our volunteers an opportunity to connect with the Congressman about key issues for them
Played plinko & shared myths about Social Security with folks at our Social Security Happy Hour events in Eau Claire, Appleton, and Middleton
Connected with local residents about Social Security at resource fairs in Janesville and Appleton
Participated in the 2023 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fall Legislative Conference, supporting the Caregiving event "Love Light & Laughter: Real Conversations About Caregiving within the Black Community"; and connecting with legislators
Hosted a watch party for AARP's Conversations With Congress: The Future of Social Security
Provided written support for Secretary Nominee Kristen Johnson in her Senate Confirmation Hearing

Livable Communities

A livable community is one that is a great place for people of all ages to work, play, and thrive. Towns, cities, and villages who commit to identifying actionable steps to become a livable community can join the Age-Friendly Network. In August we:

Convened Age Friendly Network communities for an in-person meeting in Stevens Point to attend the virtual Livable Communities Summit and share learning & next steps
Shared an update on the neighborhood initiated traffic circle at the Amani United Meeting focusing on Active Streets and Pedestrian safety
Presented a Livable Communities talk at the American Planning Association-Wisconsin Chapter's annual meeting
Connected with the Madison mayor's office to discuss housing in the city
Convened elected officials, residents, and planning professionals in La Crosse to discuss issues like housing, transportation, and public spaces; creating a conversation across multiple sectors
Participated in the Growing MKE Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Growing MKE is a citywide planning effort that will set a framework for housing growth and choice in Milwaukee