JASA TRAINS OLDER ADULTS TO BE EFFECTIVE ADVOCATES

Democracy requires an informed electorate, but it takes more than reading the newspaper to be a knowledgeable citizen. JASA’s Institute for Senior Action trains those 55+ to be advocates for issues affecting the elderly. The Institute for Senior Action program integrates critical aging policy issues with practical grassroots action ideas.

“It is important that seniors make their voices heard,” said Aileen Gittelson, JASA CEO. “The goal of JASA’s Institute for Senior Action is to help the elderly become informed advocates, speaking with authority and clarity on issues that directly affect them.” To date, more than 750 people have participated in the JASA program.

The 10-week course, which begins Thursday, March 17, focuses on: navigating the federal state, and local legislative processes; public speaking; understanding senior benefits and entitlements; techniques of social action; and intergenerational issues. The sessions will run every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held at the Hudson Guild Elliott Center, 441 West 26th Street, Manhattan.

To request an application, contact Bola Aribidesi,
Director of JASA’s Institute for Senior Action, 212-273-5261; ifsa@jasa.org.