Feb. 7, 2008

Too often, not-for-profits are their community's best-kept secrets. They feed the hungry, shelter animals or serve elders without much praise or fanfare. They do good work and they do it well. You know this only too well in our work for older adults and people with disabilities.

Take Tulsa's LIFE Senior Services. In addition to their work with older adults, this organization worked with a local elementary school to develop an intergenerational mentoring program for fifth graders. One student with a father serving in Iraq found friendship and support from a Korean War vet. Another who aspires to be a writer paired off with a former writer and poet. What lessons are they learning? That experience is truly the best teacher.

But it's not just LIFE that has a story to tell. You all do. Each of you has a unique program or service that benefits the communities we call home. And AAHSA's Homecoming is your chance to celebrate your hidden treasures and the people they benefit.

From May 26-30, join thousands of your peers by opening your doors and inviting your community and your elected officials to learn about your work and meet your community's treasures: the people you serve. Host an open house, introduce them to your residents over a meal or coordinate a staff community service project. Whatever you do, this is your chance to showcase how you make your community a better place to live.

Visit www.AAHSAhomecoming.org to get initial program ideas and tell us what you're planning. Watch your mailboxes for more information in the coming weeks.

You live your story everyday. Let's tell it in a new way. It's Homecoming! Let's celebrate.

 

Larry

William L. Minnix, Jr.
President & CEO

AAHSA · 2519 Connecticut Ave. NW · Washington DC 20008 · www.AAHSA.org