Thank You
As we reflect on 2024, we’re proud of the many accomplishments we’ve achieved as an organization and the impact we’ve had on the Athens community. This year has been marked by growth, tenacity, and the deepening of our commitment to helping our neighbors age well.
At the beginning of the year, we worked with UGA’s Fanning Institute and local partners to launch a community-wide Needs Assessment to better understand what our aging community needs and desires to age well. We spent six months collecting surveys, hosting focus groups, and interviewing stakeholders. The response was overwhelming, and we learned so much. We’re grateful to all of you who participated and supported this effort.
Ever Onward
Through our Needs Assessment Survey, many of you provided invaluable insights that will help shape the future of our programs. One thing became clear — there is a deep appreciation for our staff and the work we do at ACCA. However, we also discovered a knowledge gap — while you love ACCA, many aren’t fully aware of the wide range of services we offer.
As we look ahead to 2025, we remain steadfast in our commitment to remaining the essential aging resource for communities in the Athens Area.
Over the last six months, we’ve visited similar organizations across the country, gathering valuable insights and best practices to better address the needs of our aging community. We spent time reviewing internal processes and deep-diving into national trends in aging services. These learnings, combined with feedback from the assessment, have laid the foundation for our next big step forward: our BOLDly Reimagine Aging Well Strategy.
This forward-thinking plan will guide us in enhancing our current services and creating new opportunities to better serve the Athens aging community. We look forward to sharing this exciting strategy and working with you along the way. Together, we will continue to make a lasting impact benefiting our older neighbors!
Proud to be the Athens Area Community Foundation
Nonprofit of the Year!
2024 has been an incredible journey for ACCA, marked by our recognition as Nonprofit of the Year an honor that speaks to the heart of our programs, services, and community impact. While many in Athens are familiar with our core services such as our Meals on Wheels and Transportation programs, ACCA’s reach goes far beyond that.
This year, with the help of our dedicated staff, amazing community partners and diverse funding structure we have improved the lives of our aging community. Our service numbers are more than just data; they represent families helped, resources provided, and a community that comes together to ensure that no senior is left behind. With every meal delivered, every class planned, and resource provided, we further our commitment to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to age well.
A conversation with Care Coordinator Jenna
Moon
17,626 total neighbors served in 2024
57,982 meals served to 480 older neighbors through Meals on Wheels
13,558 transportation provided to seniors for vital resources like healthcare & groceries
499 days of respite provided to 100+ caregivers
112,861 hours of employment training provided to 240+ unemployed & underemployed seniors
173 caregivers receiving peer support through our Dementia Resource Center
1,324 meals provided to older neighbors this Thanksgiving through Turkeypalooza
754 events, classes, and trips hosted through our Center for Active Living
127 seniors assisted by our housing counseling services
As Care Coordinator, Jenna Moon understands the importance of our services and the impact ACCA has on the lives of all our neighbors. “When I saw the opening for the Care Coordinator position with ACCA I was ecstatic to apply, and even more thrilled when I received the offer,” Jenna remembers. “I was so warmly received by the ACCA family when I was brought on that it was hardly believable. I have so much admiration for my coworkers and the amazing work they do every day on behalf of our clients. I have learned so much from them and I am so grateful to be a part of a team that works tirelessly to advocate for the needs of our community members.”
Just in the last year, Jenna has helped assist over 100 older adults facing housing insecurity in our community through our Live Well Age Well Housing Initiative funded by the Athens Clarke County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). From assisting low-income homeowners with repairs and modifications so they can age in place in their own homes, to providing emergency financial assistance and community referrals to renters facing eviction, this program has provided many Clarke County residents with a glimmer of hope in a very difficult time.
Thinking about her time at ACCA so far, Jenna said “It’s been remarkable to work with so many people who are passionate and knowledgeable about the aging process and all that it entails. So much of what we do is educating clients and their caregivers about what options are available to them as they age, and I feel so much better prepared to make these decisions for myself and to assist my loved ones in making them for themselves.”
JENNA MOON Care Coordinator
We are proud of our
Partnerships
The success of ACCA rests heavily on the partnerships we’ve built over the years— Our partners help us better serve our community through education initiatives, organizational and general support, and our senior staples food programing.
It takes a community to address the needs of those living with dementia and their care partners. The Dementia Resource Center is grateful for the time and expertise of our Advisory Council in helping us build a program that serves the community. This all-star team includes representatives from:
Finding Support at the Dementia Resource Center
At ACCA we understand that it takes our full community to address the needs of people living with dementia and their care partners, and we knew there was a significant lack of resources around dementia care options in our community. Since its launch, the Dementia Resource Center has provided the care, joy, and resources for all those living with dementia and their loved ones. We are grateful for the guidance and expertise of our Advisory Council who have helped us build a program that effectively fills the gap in service and support.
Susan Wright experiences the support and care firsthand as she’s involved with both the DRC and ACCA at large. “ACCA has so many supportive programs, and it’s so beneficial to have that for our community,” Susan said. She pointed out that she looks forward to, “learning what I can do to help my husband and anyone I come into contact with in the world.”
When asked how ACCA and the DRC are helping her age better, she remarked, “Everybody at the ACCA and the DRC is doing a wonderful job to provide an environment for aging and living well. For me, I enjoy going to the support programming of the DRC,” and that, “I constantly gain insight from others in this space and also recognize the individuality of each situation. This community allows me to feel supported and unique.”
SUSAN WRIGHT
DRC Support Group Member
Funding our Mission
Along with our community partners, our donors and funders help us keep these programs and services all year long. The donation made by our friends at the J.M. Huber Corporation helped remove 25 people from the Meals on Wheels waiting list, getting nutritious food, safety checks, and social support to more of our neighbors in need.
The continued support from the United Way of Northeast Georgia, the Athens Area Community Foundation, and the ACC Government enables us to achieve our mission of helping everyone age well and live well.
FY 2024 Budget: $5,729,118 Grateful to have partners in
And, of course, the generous support from our neighbors in the community continues to grow. From a record-breaking Season’s Greetings giving campaign and far-out retroProm to our upcoming Give Thanks 8k and so many more community event fundraisers. The dollars raised help fund programming through unrestricted funds, allowing us to do more, and bring more quality services to the Athens area.
Happy Hours with the Center for Active Living
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCE WITH ACCA?
My absolute favorite experience are the social activities. I recently retired and moved back to my hometown of Athens, but I was missing my old coworkers and friends that I spent most of my time with at different events. But, when I finally joined ACCA, I started to get more involved in social activities again. My favorite activities include getting together for meals, going on hikes and exploration activities, as well as joining in on the local and out-of-town trips. All the experiences have been very adventurous!
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST IN THE FUTURE?
As for the future, I would like ACCA to continue to meet the many needs of our seniors. ACCA has focused attention on creativity and creating a culture that is an excellent source for its members and our community.
HOW HAS ACCA LED YOU TO LIVING WELL AND AGING BETTER?
ACCA and CAL have been very motivational and encouraging in helping me be even more active than I was before I became a member. I am very excited and enthusiastic about working out. I participate in some of the ACCA/CAL workouts at the center, and I meet up with members for activities outside of the center, too!
KHALEELAH HAMEED CAL Member
