THE INFLUENCE Service, Education & Advocacy

We restructured our organization this year as a result of new and expanded programs, analyzing our internal capacities to address the high volume of community requests, and to enhance our outreach potential through a refreshed equity lens This restructuring occurred primarily from February - June 2022 We continue to provide service, education and advocacy within local, regional and state platforms to advance home and community based services Our partners this year were critical to these initiatives, including:

Private donors and sponsors, AdventHealth Age Friendly Hospitals, Land of Sky Regional Council, Buncombe County DHHS, National Church Residences, Age Friendly Buncombe, Dementia Friendly WNC, the Mercy Foundation through SIsters of Mercy, PACE services, Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community, Givens Estates, Weaverville First Baptist, Linwood Crump Shiloh Center, Lakeview Center for Active Aging, and Senior Opportunity Center, Moose Cafe, Wildwood Herbal, MANNA FoodBank, CareReach, Equal Plates for All, Spring Mountain Community Club, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Big Sandy UMC, Sandy Mush Community Center, MountainCare, Young HomeCare, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games, Premier Home Health, AllWays Caring, Bayada Home Care, NC Department of Insurance, the Social Security Administration, OLLI, GoodWill Industries, Karen Sanders Patient Advocacy, the Hearing Center, WNC Bridge Foundation, Community Foundation of WNC, Dogwood Health Trust, AARP, and WNC Nonprofit Pathways.

"Over the four or five years that I have asked for assistance and/or references from CoA you have ALWAYS come through with more than I could have imagined. My life has been improved because of your knowledge, professionalism and kindness.

Most recently, staff advocated on my behalf to get house cleaning help and a reduction of my monthly WIFI bill respectively. Yay!

While aging in place is wonderful for me and my independence, it seems issues pop up like mushrooms in the forest. I hope you do not mind my running by issues with you in the future.

I just love you all to pieces! Really!

I suspect there will be a day when I may be able to volunteer with you. I hope so. I'll need a couple of minutes to get my routine in order, but do not hesitate to ask. Especially if there is a one day event that requires an extra hand."