"Let's go to the park!" When you read that line, whose voice comes to mind? Is it a child wanting to go to the playground? Parents planning a picnic? What about programs being offered by parks and recreation? The reality is that most people don't think about older adults when they read this line. This is because of ageism expressed toward and by the older adult population. Read the Article here: Parks and Recreation Magazine   The Florence R. Goldmann Award is conferred annually upon an FASC member organization for distinguished service by a Senior Center. There were four wonderful applicants for the award this year, but it was still a tough decision for the judges. Ultimately, one center scored highest and their mission statement tells exactly why: “…to encourage an atmosphere designed for healthy aging where older adults can be empowered to actively participate and be an integral part of their community.” And they are doing just that daily with their programming, outreach and in-house services.
The Florida Association of Senior Centers is pleased to announce the 2018 Flo Goldmann Award winner is the Southcentral/South East Focal Point Senior Center in Miramar, Florida. The Center opened in 1976 and is nationally accredited through the National Council on Aging/National Institute of Senior Centers. The Center boasts 361 active volunteers who put in over 10,000 hours in 2017. Volunteers share their talent, time and life experiences with participants. They also help with lunch support, leading exercise, art and special interest classes such as dance, jewelry making, knitting, arts and crafts, card games, music and with anything else they can do! Some of the services provided by the Focal Point Senior Center include adult day services, congregate meal service, financial assistance, information and referral, intergenerational programming, and transportation to get to the Center, shopping, medical appointments and trips. One of their favorite programs in 2017 was the implementation of a water aerobics class. This Center is also very involved with community partnerships such as Meals on Wheels, SHINE, Harmony Development, Broward County Elderly and Veteran’s Affairs, among others. The Center strives to provide their members with a “home away from home” atmosphere through their friendly staff, outreach and opportunities for fun, friendship and education. Over all, the Southcentral/South East Focal Point Senior Center exemplifies good practices in senior center management and so is quite deserving of the Florence R. Goldmann Award in 2018. The picture here shows the award presentation made at the Florida Council on Aging Conference in August 2018 to Kristina Davenport and Krishauna DeLisser from the Southcentral/South East Focal Point Senior Center.  FCOA is please to announce that DONOVIN DARIUS will be the FPL Quality Senior Living Award Luncheon speaker on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Mr. Darius is a motivational speaker, NFL Transitions life coach, Sports Emmy Award Winner, and author. After a successful 10-year career as an NFL player, he is globally renowned for delivering hundreds of inspiring and motivational messages that connect with audiences in all industries. Donovin's will talk about his experience as a caregiver for his mother.
“Caregiving is one of the greatest gifts you can give a person,” he says. “You’re foregoing your purpose, your passion and your ideals and allowing your life to be used for safety and betterment of another individual. Caregivers get the opportunity to love people.” Donovin is the Founder and President of Donovin Darius Enterprises, LLC — a personal development company that provides motivational materials, workshops, personal and professional development programs for companies and individuals. In 2010, he also founded the Donovin Darius Foundation, a nonprofit organization aimed at fostering the success of underprivileged youth and adults in Jacksonville, FL. Donovin's mission is to help individuals overcome and grow through adverse situations that they may encounter. With his empowering style and direct experience as an NFL player, Donovin is uniquely capable of delivering practical advice to individuals looking to live their dreams and take their lives to the next level. Donovin is a devout man of faith. He is a proud husband and father four children. After taking legal custody and guardianship of his two younger brothers while he was in college, Donovin continued to live a life of service to others which included caring for his mother and bringing his entire family from Camden, New Jersey to Jacksonville where he played and continues to call home. He finds balance by reading, fishing and going to the beach. The Florida Department of Transportation has developed a web app intended to assist Florida residents in finding transportation options in the state. The website is a collaboration with the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged and can be found at the link below. Make sure to check it out, as it might be useful to you or your seniors!
Website: http://www.safeandmobileseniors.org/index.htm Find a Ride App: https://www.findarideflorida.org/  At the February Trainings on February 24, the Florida Association of Senior Centers presented the 2018 Jay K. Morgan Award to Pat O'Connell, Program Director at the St. John's County Council on Aging. This award celebrates excellence among Senior Center professionals, and Pat exemplifies excellence with her work and advocacy with seniors. We wish to express our strongest congratulations and a heart felt thank you to Pat for all of her efforts to improve the quality of life for Florida seniors!
 The Florence R. Goldmann Award is conferred annually upon a FASC member organization for distinguished service by a Senior Center.
To quote Jack “Jay” K. Morgan, “When you’ve seen one senior center, you’ve seen one senior center.” This is certainly true of this year’s applicants. Center budgets ranged from $163 thousand to $5 million and member participation ranging from 52 to 300 people per day. Services provided ranged from a simple information and referral office to a full-on medical clinic. There were eight wonderful applicants for the award this year making it a tough decision for the judges. Ultimately, one center stood out because it demonstrated that it has heart, compassion and an understanding of the needs of the seniors in its community – and let no limitations stand in its way of seeking to meet those needs! It was “the little center that could”. Those of us who work in senior centers know that the bells and whistles are excellent to have. Ultimately, however, it’s the heart and compassion of the team at each center that makes it so special to its participants. This center demonstrated this so well. This year’s Flo Goldmann Award winner is the Lakeland Activity Center for Seniors in Lakeland, Florida. This center, supported by Catholic Charities of Central Florida, states a majority of its participants are “75 years young” and have an income lower than $14,000 per year. The center has grown in the past five years from a basic congregate dining site to a well-rounded calendar of activities focusing on health and wellness. From a nearly empty center in the afternoons to ones filled with line dancing, Scrabble, Art, Tai Chi, exercise and more, the staff has shown they know what people want and are committed to providing those activities. Because of this increase in programming, staff has noticed younger and more active seniors in a higher income demographic are now attending. Recognizing that isolation is a breeding ground for depression and the overall poor health that follows, the center initiated a Volunteer Visiting program where the volunteer visits shut-ins. This not only allows for companionship for lonely seniors, but provides a meaning and purpose to the life of the volunteer as well. We noticed their technology classes were unusual as well as they provided training in using web cameras, SKYPE, and other social media. Another feature at this center is a visiting nutritionist who helps provide tips on good nutrition and cooking for singles. This is paired with a food bank to supply that delicious produce. Our judges are confident that this “little center that can” is a spirit-filled, compassionate and responsive center that exemplifies good practices in senior center management and so is quite deserving of the Florence R. Goldmann Award in 2017. |
AuthorPosts written by FASC Leadership Team and compiled from other websites. Archives
May 2020
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