Senior centers have responded to the realities of life during the pandemic with innovative ways to keep their members connected, engaged, and inspired. Join us in learning about how four centers provided a range of programs and themed events for their community that served to address social isolation, reduce the digital divide, provide healthy aging education, and—most importantly—bring joy to people’s lives.
The event will feature the following four programs:
- Forsyth County Senior Services: Connect with T.E.C.H. (Technology Education and Community Help)
- Duxbury Senior Center: The PAC TV Guide
- Dracut Council on Aging: At Home Grab and Go Events
- Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia: The Art of Healthy Aging
The event will be moderated by Anahita Feltz (Manager, Silver Linings at Old Bridge) and Laura Kopp (President/CEO at CASI—Center for Active Seniors).
Ruthie Brew, MM, CPRP
Director
Forsyth County Senior Services
Ruthie is a dedicated aging services professional with a history of accomplishment in both nonprofit and governmental organizations. She has strong administration and program development skills, resulting in organizational capacity building. In addition, she has expertise in community program development and center management - operations, service delivery, volunteers, community partnerships, and marketing. Most importantly, she is passionate about helping older adults age well in the community, finding joy and purpose in their lives.
Joanne Moore
Director
Duxbury Senior Center
Joanne Moore has 25 years’ experience working with older adults in a variety of community and non-profit settings. She is the Director of the Duxbury Senior Center and has successfully led her team through three National Accreditations. She is a past president of the Massachusetts Council on Aging (MCOA) and a current Board Member and Certification Chair. Joanne serves as a member Massachusetts Falls Commission and the NISC Learning Collaborative. She is a master trainer for both "A Matter of Balance" and the "UCLA Memory" programs and was instrumental in introducing these program resources to Massachusetts senior centers. Joanne holds a BS in Graphic Design and Business and a MS in Adult Learning and Development.
Bethany Loveless
Executive Director
Dracut Council on Aging
Jody Mazur
Event Planner
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia
With thirty years in family entertainment and educational programming, Jody Mazur joined Senior Services as their Event Coordinator in 2015. Initially her primary focus was their signature annual event, the Art of Healthy Aging Forum & Expo. This event brought together hundreds of older adults and caregivers with vendors, sponsors, educators, professionals, and supporters from the entire community, providing lectures, workshops, entertainment, and lunch, each year. She introduced a sister event in Western Tidewater and worked on other fundraising events and programs. With the limitations imposed by COVID 19, Ms. Mazur was part of team that took the Art of Healthy Aging Summer Series into the virtual realm where Senior Services was able to expand its reach, delivering resources, entertainment, and information to its largest audience ever.
Anahita Feltz (Moderator)
Manager
Silver Linings at Old Bridge
Anahita Feltz is the manager of Silver Linings at Old Bridge, an Activity Center for Adults 60+ in Old Bridge, New Jersey. She serves as the chair of the Membership Committee for the National Institute of Senior Centers, while also being the NJ representative for the NISC Leadership Collaborative. Anahita has also been a Peer Reviewer for 5 years and her center just received its second accreditation. Locally, she serves on the Active Adult Committee of the New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association. She hopes to revive a State Association of Senior Centers in New Jersey in the near future. On her downtime, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, playing tennis, cooking and volunteering.