President Sue Liberman welcomed everyone and shared the SSV Mission statement.   Board members were introduced, including new Board member Simona Holloway. President Sue introduced the speaker, Melanie Benjamin.  In addition to being Executive Director of The Center, Melanie serves as Chair of the Charlottesville Area Alliance (CAA).  Before sharing an overview of CAA, Melanie announced a noise suppression project for The Center Auditorium, as they know the spoken word is not easy to hear with the current Auditorium construction.  This project will be completed over the summer. CAA was created in 2015 by a few individuals who wanted to focus on aging in Charlottesville the best way we can.  The Mission seeks leadership and development for an age-friendly community through education, advocacy, engagement, planning and evaluation.  CAA’s vision is to be the most age-friendly community in the country. CAA includes organizations, governments, businesses and individuals who support age friendly initiatives.  The list of current Partners was shared, and includes both health system, City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission and 50+ more. The AARP domains of an age-friendly community, of livability, are arranged as the built and the social environments.

After a regional survey in 2018, CAA determined that the three areas of importance to our seniors are: Housing, Transportation and Social Participation/Access to Health Services. Over the past several years, CAA has impacted significant age-friendly progress in transportation through Walk Audits and Bus Field Trips.  In fact, you can join a bus field trip on July 21at 9:45 am or August 27 at 1:45 by meeting at The Center.  Members and non-members welcome. CAA has fostered progress in social participation through creation of the Memory Cafe.  In fact, you can attend a Memory Cafe the third Friday of each month at 10 am at The Center.  Again, members and non-members welcome. CAA has encouraged age-friendly progress in housing through Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) expansion. Melanie provided a short survey for attendees to complete, with 5 questions focusing on community, transportation and social participation.  The survey results will be shared and can generate additional conversation. President Sue thanked Melanie for her valuable information.  She noted that the next CAA meeting, in August, will feature Ret. General Charles Dunlap, speaking on the legality of armed conflict.  The September meeting will focus on election candidates, with details to come.

No Program in July

August 12 th – Ret. Gen Charles Dunlap discussing the Legality of “Armed Conflict”

September 9 th – Statewide Candidate Forum.