Elder Friendly Communities 
216-831-8601
Fax 216-831-8167
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Margaret Miller, Older Adult Coordinator, Ext. 5701
The Orange Elder Friendly Communities Task Force has outlined five important recommendations designed to enhance and improve the livability of the greater Orange Communities. These outcomes have been incorporated into a strategic plan that will be implemented over the next three years, as a community-wide effort. They are:
1. Raise awareness of existing resources and services for elders
2. Improve physical access within the community and identify and reduce mobility barriers
3. Advocate for diverse housing options and housing related programs and services
4. Develop new community-based programs and strengthen and adapt existing programs to meet changing needs of elders
5. Enlist and involve volunteers in the implementation of this strategic plan for elder friendliness.
Individuals or service groups can become involved in the implementation of this project by contacting Orange Community Education & Recreation at 216-831-8601.
Orange Community Education & Recreation Named International Award Winner
Orange Community Education & Recreation has been honored for excellence in the Best Marketing category by the Learning Resources Network (LERN), an international association in lifelong learning. Their winning entry was included in a showcase of outstanding international programs at the LERN Convention in Baltimore, MD on December 1, 2006. The winning entry, entitled Elder Friendly Communities Are Friendly for Everyone! was developed and submitted by Orange Community Education & Recreation’s Director, Laura Guentner, and Senior Adult Coordinator, Maria Foschia.
Judges who reviewed nominated entries indicated that there was a high level of excellence in this year’s field of nominees. Julie Coates, Vice President for LERN, said that this year’s awards were among the hi
highest quality ever submitted.
In selecting programs to be recognized for excellence, Coates said the primary criteria judges used to select winners was the quality of being at the leading edge of the field of lifelong learning, as evidenced by their nomination. In addition, judges also applied the following criteria: originality, innovation, model for other programs, replicability and measurable outcomes.
This international awards selection process is very competitive and rigorous, Coates said, and it is truly an honor to be selected. Orange Community Education & Recreation’s entry was selected from more than 100 outstanding nominations from four countries.
The Elder Friendly Communities Initiative is the result of a pilot project with Orange Community Education & Recreation, The Cleveland Foundation and the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission to use an assessment tool to assess and define the elder friendliness of communities in the Orange district and other communities in northeast Ohio. The major objective of the initiative is to better understand needs of senior adults in the communities, assess strengths already in place to address those needs and to develop new programming and services to meet new and emerging needs of seniors.
Orange Community Education & Recreation Invited to Present at 2007 Ohio Parks & Recreation Association Conference in Cleveland
Orange Community Education & Recreation/Orange Senior Center has been invited to present on the Orange Elder Friendly Communities Initiative at the 2007 Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Conference to be held in Cleveland in early February. The Elder Friendly project, process and outcomes as well as the organizations and volunteers involved in the project will be highlighted at this annual meeting that hosts community education, recreation and park organizations from around the state.
Elder Friendly Resources
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