Conversations Around Senior Solutions
By Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director, United Way Charlotte County
In life, it seems we are placed on pathways for a reason. For most of my career, my heart’s passion and the work that followed was centered around teen mothers, child abuse prevention, children with cancer, community health, and reducing poverty. Two years ago, the United Way of Charlotte County (UWCC) embarked on a journey to focus on the needs of seniors in our community. Through community and stakeholder conversations, this focus was incredibly clear to us and long overdue.
At the same time, our family was embarking on the incredibly intensive path as a caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s. Nothing in this life can prepare you for this and only in being in it can one truly appreciate the awfulness of this disease. It does propel one to face the dichotomy of the circle of life – my two paths have now converged. I sit stunned and overwhelmed at the perspectives and yet feel grateful that I can use what I am learning in our family life to serve this community in a deeper way.
It will take a long time for the layers of lessons to sprout forth into action, but I do have a laundry list of areas that need a loudspeaker of attention. Many who know me can attest, my voice can speak volumes, and I intend to use my days to advocate for the needs of seniors AND families. The needs of seniors are dependent on families. A strong workforce and smart solutions are necessary to address the issues we are facing as the wise generation ages.
UWCC’s Ageless Engagement priority was birthed with a profound commitment to supporting our senior population in Charlotte County. Resource navigation, decreasing isolation and increasing socialization, financial empowerment, and caregiver resources are all top of mind as we prioritize our resources for investment. Our focus aims to enhance the lives of older adults, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive.
This past year, I have had the honor of sitting on the Advisory Council at the Florida Gulf Coast University Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging (SRIPA). Newly formed, this school “serves as a regional hub to connect faculty, staff, and students from across academic disciplines at FGCU with community organizations in a unified purpose of supporting the older adult community in Southwest Florida through education, service, research, and advocacy”. Every time I sit in the meetings at FGCU, I take the opportunity to speak for Charlotte County and the needs that are so incredibly prevalent.
As we move into the next phase of this focus, I’m excited to invite you to the inaugural Ageless United Luncheon on November 7, 2024, and I hope you will join us.
The Ageless United Luncheon will bring together community leaders, service providers, and advocates who are committed to finding innovative solutions for the needs of our growing senior population. We are honored to welcome Dr. Thomas Felke, Director of FGCU’s Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging, as our keynote speaker. His insights will guide us in embracing the philosophy of "Positive Aging" while exploring innovative ways to support our seniors.
Mark Martella, Managing Owner of Martella Law Firm, PLLC, will serve as our Master of Ceremonies, celebrating our shared commitment to decreasing isolation among seniors. This luncheon is not just a gathering. It is a critical conversation about how we can work together to create a brighter future for our aging community. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Dr. Felke’s focused efforts in bringing vital resources to Charlotte County, emphasizing the importance of partnership in empowering seniors.
Join us for this special event. Whether you’re a local business, a service provider, or simply a concerned citizen, your participation matters. Together, we can strengthen our support network and ensure that our seniors feel valued, connected, and empowered.
Mark your calendars for November 7, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at Kings Gate Golf Club, 24000 Rampart Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL. To learn more about the FGCU SRIPA or to register for this event, please visit www.unitedwayccfl.org/agelesslunch.
For more information about United Way of Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.