Update Newsletter Spring/Summer 2021

A PUBLICATION OF

update Spring/Summer 2021

News & notes for friends of PCA

Zooming through 2021

As the pandemic continues, PCA keeps meeting the evolving needs of older Philadelphians.

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PCA provides COVID-19 vaccine information for older adults, staff

the lives 5 Touching of older adults: Louis Colbert’s 44-year journey

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PCA’s Celebrate Arts & Aging exhibit goes virtual for 2nd straight year

President’s message Doing our part to assist in getting older Philadelphians vaccinated

Over the past 13 months, PCA has worked to respond to the compounding needs of older Philadelphians as a result of the pandemic. We continue to address issues of food insecurity by providing home-delivered and Grab & Go meals and to reduce social isolation through virtual programming by PCA-funded senior community centers and our health promotion programs.

Being a trusted voice for the aging community in Philadelphia, PCA has been able to successfully collaborate with the City of Philadelphia and community-based organizations to aid the City’s vaccination efforts for older Philadelphians. We know a large part of that is information and resource sharing, which we continue to do on our website and through our various communication channels to older adults and professional stakeholders.

In April, PCA worked closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s PACE program to launch a new toll-free COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline that assists Philadelphians 60-plus with scheduling vaccine appointments at sites in Philadelphia. The COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline is open at 1-800-424-4351 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PCA is grateful to collaborate with PACE, Pennsylvania’s Prescription Assistance Program, on the new hotline that allows older Philadelphians to call and directly schedule vaccine appointments over the phone. Our collective goal for this hotline is to bridge the digital divide for those who do not have access to computers or the internet.

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Being a trusted voice for the aging community in Philadelphia,

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PCA remains committed to serving the needs of older adults and people with disabilities. We continue to identify the needs of our consumers and meet them – even as those needs evolve during the pandemic. At the beginning of 2021, the nation rejoiced at hearing the news that a COVID-19 vaccine was on its way. Knowing the impact COVID-19 has had on the aging population, PCA has been able to assist in vaccination efforts by the City of Philadelphia in several different ways.

PCA has been able to successfully collaborate with the City of Philadelphia and community-based organizations to aid the City’s vaccination efforts for older Philadelphians.

We also hosted a virtual community town hall on COVID-19 vaccines that was open to all members of the public and featured presentations from representatives of the Department of Public Health about vaccines and a panel discussion with local experts in health care and from community-based organizations.

In addition to sharing information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), PCA has also launched several initiatives and continues to support the City’s vaccinations efforts. These include working with the Philadelphia Fire Department to vaccinate eligible PCA consumers who are homebound; working with the PDPH and utilizing vaccine scheduling links to schedule PCA consumers who need assistance obtaining appointments; and collaborating with Pennsylvania’s Prescription Assistance Program (PACE) on a new hotline, which allows Philadelphians, 60 and older, to call and schedule vaccine appointments at vaccination sites within Philadelphia County. I want to thank the City of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Fire Department and PACE for leading these initiatives.

I must also commend all older Philadelphians for their resiliency and strength during this unprecedented time. Although this pandemic has changed life as we know it, we will overcome it. The vaccines mark a huge turning point in the fight against COVID-19; and we will continue to do our part to spread information, awareness and facilitate vaccination scheduling until the pandemic is behind us.

Sincerely, Najja R. Orr President and CEO, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

PCA board of directors 2021-2022

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Katherine E. Galluzzi, D.O., FACOFP – Chair Judee M. Bavaria – Vice Chair Satya B. Verma, O.D. – Secretary Glenn D. Bryan – Treasurer

Emeritus: Arthur E. Helfand, D.P.M.

Louis A. Bove, Esq. Nora Dowd Eisenhower, Esq. Lynn Fields Harris Angela Foreshaw-Rouse Sandra McNally Fran Miller Victor M. Negrón Jr. Eloise N. Young Jaqueline S. Zinn, Ph.D.

PCA Communications Dept.

642 N. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19130-3409

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PCA In the News March 20, 2021

Battling older adults’ greater social isolation during COVID-19 (WHYY)

PCA provides COVID-19 vaccine information for older adults, staff PCA’s top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be the safety of the older adults we serve and our staff. As COVID-19 vaccines become more widely available in Philadelphia, PCA continues to share the latest information regarding vaccines and the City’s vaccine distribution efforts.

PCA hosted two virtual town hall events with representatives from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH). The first event was held March 3 for PCA staff and addressed questions about the vaccines, eligibility criteria and the distribution process.

Later in March, the PDPH representatives returned for PCA’s Community Town Hall on COVID-19 Vaccines that was open to the public. This event featured updates on the latest vaccine information, as well as a panel discussion with health experts and representatives from several community-based organizations that focused on some of the prevalent concerns in Philadelphia’s diverse communities. More than 200 people attended the virtual event.

Moving forward, PCA will continue to share important vaccine information from the City of Philadelphia with older adults. PCA collaborated with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s PACE program to develop a new toll-free COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline to assist Philadelphians 60-plus with scheduling vaccine appointments at sites in Philadelphia. The COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline is open at 1-800-424-4351 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PCA is also assisting the City in its efforts to vaccinate hard-to-reach subsets of the older adult population, including people who are homebound.

Although vaccine distribution represents a light at the end of a very long tunnel, we still have a way to go. PCA will continue to work diligently to keep older adults safe and well-informed every step of the way.

PCA collaborated with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s PACE program to develop a new toll-free COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline to assist Philadelphians 60-plus with scheduling vaccine appointments at sites in Philadelphia.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline is open at 1-800-424-4351 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Wanda Mitchell, PCA’s director of community engagement, discussed social isolation during the pandemic, the long-term effects it can have on older adults, and what PCA is doing to keep individuals engaged and connected virtually.

March 18, 2021

PCA to host virtual Community Town Hall on COVID-19 Vaccine (Philadelphia Free Press) Helping to deliver vaccine information to older Philadelphians, PCA held a virtual Community Town Hall for all members of the public. The Town Hall featured a presentation by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and a question and answer panel with local health and community representatives. A video of the Town Hall is posted on pcaCares.org.

Jan. 15, 2021

Where does money from the lottery sales go in Pennsylvania?

(6abc) When Mega Millions and Power Ball jackpots soared, PCA President and CEO Najja R. Orr broke down how these funds are used to support older adults, including programs provided by PCA.

Jan. 11, 2021

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging seeking emergency help for clients (KYW Newsradio) PCA’s Director of Community Engagement Wanda Mitchell spoke with Lynne Adkins about the importance of PCA’s Emergency Fund for Older Philadelphians, which provided more than $135,000 in assistance to more than 1,100 older adults in 2020.

Nov. 27, 2020

Here’s how the City is preparing to distribute a COVID vaccine, once one is ready (Philadelphia Magazine) PCA President and CEO Najja R. Orr spoke about the importance of establishing clear and transparent communication with older adults in regards to Philadelphia’s vaccination efforts.

PCA headquarters awarded Energy Star certification PCA is pleased to announce that The Wallace Building, its 642 N. Broad St. headquarters, has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Energy Star certification for superior energy performance. This is the first time that PCA has earned this certification, reflecting our commitment to continued energy savings.

Energy Star-certified buildings and plants are verified to perform in the top 25% of buildings nationwide, based on weather-normalized source energy use that takes into account occupancy, hours of operation and other key metrics. All performance measures at The Wallace Building were taken before staff began working from home due to COVID-19 in March 2020.

“We’re honored to earn the Energy Star for superior energy performance for The Wallace Building and appreciate the efforts of everyone who has been involved in its efficient operation,” said Mark Myers, PCA’s director of facility operations and housing programs. “Saving energy is just one of the ways we show our community we care. We’re committed to doing our part to protect the environment and public health, both today and for future generations.”

Caregiver Support Training: Emergency Preparedness Over the past year, individuals across the nation faced numerous emergency situations including severe weather, mass power outages and a global public health crisis. While emergency planning can be challenging for families living in the same household, it can be even more challenging for caregivers who may not reside with those receiving care.

Through its Caregiver Support Program, PCA held its semi-annual caregiver training, titled “Caregiver Preparedness: How to Stay Safe and Be Ready During an Emergency.” Hosted by PCA’s Director of Caregiver Support, Cheryl Clark, and Lutheran Settlement House, the webinar featured a presentation from Marialisa Ramirez, MPH, of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health, Bioterrorism & Public Health Preparedness Program.

The presentation included examples of emergency situations and how to plan as a caregiver, including identifying critical resources in an emergency, identifying the needs of those being cared for and those of the caregiver, and packing a “preparedness kit” (aka creating an emergency toolkit).

Offered to both caregivers of older adults or individuals with disabilities and grandparents caring for grandchildren, PCA’s Caregiver Support Program provides resources and financial assistance to hundreds of Philadelphians each year. For more information, call the PCA Helpline 215-765-9040.

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Touching the lives of older adults: My 44-year journey PCA was my second AAA. Here, I was exposed to the best two mentors anyone could hope for. PCA’s first President and CEO Rodney D. Williams was brilliant and generously shared his knowledge. My boss, former Director of Program Management Toni Clemmons, prepared me for my future in executive leadership.

Over four decades, I have been involved in statewide committees; chaired the board of directors of the American Society on Aging; and co-created with my dear friend Dr. Norma Thomas the Center on Ethnic and Minority Aging, a nonprofit that provided a different cultural perspective on training and learning in the regional aging network. I was also honored to represent Philadelphia at the 2015 White House Conference on Aging, where President Barack Obama spent 45 minutes addressing the gathering. To be that close to the first Black president of our nation was indescribable and a high point in my career.

As I retire from PCA after 44 years in the field of aging services, I look back on my journey and reflect on the progress that has been made in aging services.

I grew up in a home with my maternal grandmother, parents and six siblings. My “Nana” was a valued and influential member of the Colbert family and an important part of the first 26 years of my life. I was in high school before I realized everyone did not have a grandparent living in their home. Clearly, it was not by chance that my career was devoted to aging services. Often, I would ask myself the question, “How would this (policy or program) impact Nana?” My parents and the older adults in my church taught me the importance of service. It is in my DNA. After graduating from Morehouse College in Atlanta, I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from Temple University.

That is where my time serving older adults started, in 1976, with a field placement at my first Area Agency on Aging (AAA): the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA).

COSA Director Jack Bauer and Deputy Director Barbara White were tremendous mentors for a young social worker. They taught me how to find creative solutions to problems and that change is inevitable.

In the early days of my career when I was stuck with a problem, I would head out to one of the senior centers in Chester for lunch and sit down with the older adults, many of whom knew my Nana and grandfather from the local Black Baptist faith community. They shared advice, experience and, best of all, unconditional love. It was important that I succeeded, and they wanted to share the wisdom they learned over the years. It was a priceless life lesson I received. What you learn about older adults when you go into the community is a critical part of social work.

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It has been a privilege to use my position in the aging network to create visibility for older adults and their caregivers, especially in communities of color. Caregiving has been a part of my life, as my parents instilled the importance of caring for those in your family and community. As a former caregiver for my mother, along with my siblings and nieces, I have used my voice to share the experiences of caregiving in communities of color.

As I retire from PCA, I do so with tremendous pride. It has been so rewarding to work with PCA’s new President and CEO Najja R. Orr, my fellow Morehouse brother, and with my successor, Shaunise Spivey, chief operating officer. I feel PCA is in great hands as it moves into a new era of serving older adults.

I am compelled to emphasize the importance of mentoring the future leaders in the field of aging, as well as giving a voice to those in our communities who are voiceless. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that disparities exist for our diverse older adults and these inequalities have real consequences. We must continue to fight for those who do not have a voice in this complex system called the aging network.

My career has been a blessing and a blast, and I am humbled by the opportunity to serve. At the end of the day, I feel confident that somebody’s life – older adult, colleague, student or caregiver – is better off because our lives touched and paths crossed.

Sincerely, Louis Colbert Senior Vice President of Operations, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

Sandra McNally named as new chair of PCA’s Advisory Council Sandra McNally, assistant director of assistive technology programs at the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, has been named the chair of PCA’s Advisory Council.

Through her work, McNally also oversees other funded statewide assistive technology activities, including Pennsylvania’s Telecommunication Device Distribution Program (TDDP) and iCanConnectPA, the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program in Pennsylvania. In 2018, she became chair of the national Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program Association. She has been a member of PCA’s Advisory Council since 2014 and is also currently a member of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s Telecommunications Relay Service Advisory Board. As the parent of two adults with disabilities, McNally has first-hand knowledge of the impact assistive and generic technologies can have on people’s lives.

We are pleased to have Sandra McNally chair PCA’s Advisory Council! Her personal and professional experience with the disability community will continue to be an asset to PCA in this leadership role.

PCA’s Celebrate Arts & Aging exhibit goes virtual for 2nd straight year In observance of Older Americans Month, PCA is holding its 19th annual Celebrate Arts & Aging event virtually throughout the month of May. Each year, Celebrate Arts & Aging highlights the vibrant artistic contributions of artists who are 55 or older.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be held virtually for a second year to ensure the safety of all artists and fellow art lovers. In prior years, Celebrate Arts & Aging exhibits were featured at several locations throughout the City of Philadelphia.

This year’s virtual exhibit includes more than 100 original works by artists from the Greater Philadelphia area. Artists in the exhibit range from amateur to professional and from classically trained to self-taught.

Those who wish to view PCA’s Celebrate Arts & Aging full exhibit can do so by visiting pcaCares.org/CelebrateArts.

PCA’s 19th annual Celebrate Arts & Aging exhibit is sponsored

by PECO/Exelon and Always Best Care Senior Services.

Number 3 Train to New Lots Avenue

by Sadi Mizrahi, 73, Acrylic (Top photo) Date Night

by Warren Veith, Photograph (Bottom left photo) Two Birds on Lotus Leaves

by Sau Kwan Tse, 77, Watercolor (Bottom right photo)

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Shaunise Spivey appointed as new PCA chief operating officer to succeed senior VP Louis Colbert PCA announces the appointment of Shaunise Spivey, SHRM-SCP, to the role of chief operating officer (COO).

Spivey will succeed PCA’s Senior Vice President of Operations Louis Colbert, who retired in May 2021. Colbert served PCA for a total of 15 years and was an advocate for the aging community for more than 40 years.

“We wish Louis the best in the next chapter of his life and are excited to have Shaunise as his successor,” PCA President and CEO Najja R. Orr said. “Shaunise has implemented, developed and played a critical role in a number of cultural competency initiatives during her tenure, and I am confident she will continue to create new and exciting ventures in this position.”

Prior to PCA, Spivey served as the assistant director of personnel at Weber Gallagher from 2013 to 2014.

Preceding that role, Spivey worked for the national law firm Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP from 2003 to 2013. She has also worked in the for-profit and global sectors, spanning over 20 years in various concentrations and disciplines with a human resources specialization and varying business competencies.

Spivey is a life-long champion for diversity and inclusion and continues to promote cultural competency agency-wide. More than 74% of all PCA employees are women with the workforce also being diverse in age, spanning over five generations. During her tenure at PCA, she has also played a part in creating grassroots programs for career advancement and leadership, as well as contributing to initiatives to enhance the experience for those PCA serves.

Spivey holds a Master of Human Resources Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Strayer University. In 2016, she received both her HR Management Certification from Villanova University and Society for Human Resources Management Certification with a senior certified professional designation (SHRM-SCP).

Joel TeBeest named PCA chief financial officer With more than 30 years of experience in finance and operations management, Joel TeBeest, CPA, joined PCA as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

“Joel has extensive administrative and finance experience working in the private sector and state government, most recently the CFO for the 13th largest ground transportation company in the U.S.,” PCA president and CEO Najja R. Orr said. “We are excited to have Joel join us at PCA to work on behalf of the older Philadelphians we support.”

Most recently, TeBeest served as the CFO for A-1 Limousine, Inc. since 2014. Prior to that time, he was the finance director for New Jersey’s Department of Human Services. His earlier positions included assistant finance director for the New Jersey Department of Human Services and revenue systems manager for the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities, where he also served as information systems business analyst and contract administration supervisor.

TeBeest is a certified public accountant (CPA) in Pennsylvania and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Accounting from The College of New Jersey.

Dr. Joanna Vazquez named PCA executive administrator of HR PCA is pleased to welcome Joanna Vazquez, Ed.D., SPHR, SHRM-SCP as its new executive administrator of human resources. Vazquez comes to PCA from Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, where she served for nearly 20 years, most recently as the director of employment services.

She holds a master’s degree in human resources management from Saint Joseph’s University and a doctorate in education leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University. Vazquez currently serves as the vice president of programming for the Philadelphia Society for Human Resources Management board.

PCA is grateful to have such a talented individual join our agency and welcome her to the PCA family.

Vazquez replaces Shaunise Spivey, who was promoted to chief operating officer in December 2020 to succeed PCA’s senior vice president of operations Louis Colbert, who retired in May 2021.

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SAVE THESE DATES! PCA’s 2021 Calendar of Virtual Events Please take note of the following dates for PCA’s special events in 2021. Due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions of in-person gatherings, all events will be virtual and take place on a digital platform, such as Zoom. Registration information will be posted on pcaCares.org.

 Celebrate Arts & Aging

THE MONTH OF MAY (OLDER AMERICANS MONTH)

pcaCares.org/CelebrateArts

 Emergency Fund Luncheon

JUNE (DATE TO BE DETERMINED)

Benefits older adults in crisis through the Emergency Fund for Older Adults

 Spring & Fall Clergy & Seniors’ Day

SEPTEMBER (DATE TO BE DETERMINED)

Benefits older adults through The Rodney D. Williams Philadelphia Fund for Seniors

 Regional Conference on Aging

SEPTEMBER 29 – OCTOBER 1

Cost: $40 per session

 Latino Elders Conference

OCTOBER 16 FROM 10 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

 Winter Resources Training

NOVEMBER 9 FROM 10 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

JUNE 2 FROM 10 A.M. – NOON

 African and Caribbean Elders Meeting

MAY 13 & OCT 28 AT 10 A.M.

 Clergy Interfaith Meeting

 PCA’s Virtual Gala

FALL (DATE TO BE DETERMINED)

 Information and Referral Council Meeting

SEPTEMBER (DATE TO BE DETERMINED)

 Joint Advisory Council Meeting

ON-SITE TRAINING CLASSES AND

DECEMBER 9 FROM 10 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

(African and Caribbean, Asian, Interfaith, Latino)

EVENTS WILL RESUME AS SOON AS IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) is the first place for older Philadelphians and adults with disabilities to turn for information and services to help maintain or improve the quality of their lives. Established in 1973, PCA is a private, nonprofit, nationally recognized Area Agency on Aging. One of the region’s largest nonprofit organizations, PCA contracts with more than 200 community organizations to deliver services aimed at helping older Philadelphians and aduls with disabilities achieve their maximum levels of health, independence and productivity. Through its work, PCA touches the lives of more than 140,000 people each year. PCA is funded primarily by federal and state sources.

PCA Helpline: 215-765-9040 | pcaCares.org

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