Anyone can nominate a Michigan resident over age 50 for one of AARP's most prestigious awards, but it must be done by Friday.
The Andrus Awards are named after AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus, and they are presented to people over 50 whose work represents outstanding community service. Michigan's nomination deadline is Sept. 15.
Karen Kafantaris, associate state director of AARP Michigan, said the perfect nominee would be someone who's made a significant impact on their local community, in ways following AARP's vision and purpose.
"We have had a number of great winners in the past who have volunteered creating food banks, created clothing banks, created mentoring programs for youth," Kafantaris outlined. "People who have worked across the state, working to defeating hate. So, we have had a great range of winners."
The nominees do not have to be AARP members, but they do have to be older adults. Their community service must be done on a volunteer basis, completely unpaid, and cannot be partisan or political. Nominations forms are online at AARP's website.
Kafantaris pointed out last year's winner, Carl Kentner of Lansing, is a U.S. Navy veteran and was 100 years old when he received his Andrus Award.
"Mr. Kentner was a volunteer Michigan State Capitol tour guide for 25 years," Kafantaris explained. "They get about 100,000 visitors a year for tours. He talked with students and adult visitors equally, and he was able to connect with them."
Typically, the Andrus honors are presented at a banquet-style event known as the "Shining Star Awards," but this year, Kafantaris said AARP Michigan has something different planned. She added the new plan will be shared later this fall.
Disclosure: AARP Michigan contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Livable Wages/Working Families, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email
Connecticut groups are still addressing the pandemic's aftermath. Along with connecting residents to vital services, United Way of Connecticut is also helping them deal with mental health challenges.
Once the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline adopted the shortened number 988, calls increased. The challenge of answering thousands of calls is being met through the United Way of Connecticut.
Lisa Tepper Bates, president and CEO of the nonprofit, said the pandemic presented pros and cons for what she could accomplish.
"It forced us to think in new ways, to learn new ways to work, and at the same time maybe set back some efforts," Tepper Bates recounted. "Because we just couldn't work on them while we had to address the needs that people had during the height of the pandemic."
Building health care connections for residents is what lies ahead. Tepper Bates noted rising costs for basic needs are leading to physical health declines. She explained the United Way of Connecticut's future work will center around working with health care providers to better connect people with support to meet their needs, which can reduce certain health care costs.
Tepper Bates pointed out much of United Way of Connecticut's work is ongoing. A particular focal point is helping ALICE residents -- Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed -- who are struggling to make ends meet. In her time with the organization, she said she has learned about resilience from people United Way serves.
"There are a lot of folks in our state who I think are, every day, managing very challenging situations, and yet are so resilient," Tepper Bates observed. "I think that's what, to me, is always inspiring: people who are making it work."
Other work to help ALICE families is advocating for a state child tax credit. DeDeclines in child poverty and other benefits came from expanding the federal credit, which has since shrunk to pre-pandemic levels.
The United Way of Connecticut has been vocal about the work, leading Tepper Bates to receive several honors, including an award from Connecticut Voices for Children later this month.
Disclosure: The United Way of Connecticut contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, Children's Issues, Housing/Homelessness, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email
Cities and towns across Massachusetts hope to increase young voter turnout in local elections by lowering the voting age to sixteen or seventeen. Somerville, Northampton, Southborough and Concord are just a few of the municipalities which have attempted but failed to secure state approval.
State Sen. Becca Rausch, D-Needham, said allowing young people to vote on local matters helps ensure they'll keep voting throughout their lives.
"That voting power fosters a real sense of civic duty and does in fact encourage higher turnout rates among young adults," she said.
Opponents contend teenagers lack the ability or motivation to fully understand what's at stake in an election. But Rausch points to Takoma Park, Maryland, where the turnout rate for sixteen and seventeen-year olds exceeded that of any other age group for the first election in which they were allowed to vote.
Rausch is sponsoring legislation to allow Massachusetts' municipalities to lower their voting age for local elections without approval from the state legislature but it's been tabled for the session. She says it's just one of a few issues where home rule gets in the way of local autonomy. Still, she said young people are already engaged in local issues, often related to their schools, and many students hold jobs and pay local taxes.
"And they are active members of every community I represent, and they are both contributors to and beneficiaries of community and local government services," she continued.
Rausch added the effort is part of civics education, which was solidified as a centerpiece of K-12 education in Massachusetts in 2018, and which received a significant funding boost from the state legislature this past year.
get more stories like this via email
Minnesota is closing in on the 35th anniversary of a volunteer program for clearing litter and debris along highways and rest areas.
With spring in full bloom, officials call on residents to maintain this service.
In the early 1990s, Minnesota launched its Adopt a Highway initiative.
Last year, roughly two thousand church groups, community organizations, business teams, and individuals filled up more than 42,000 bags of trash.
The Department of Transportation's Spokesperson Anne Meyer said about 900 sections of state roadways are available for adoption this year.
By pitching in, she said volunteers allow MN DOT staff to focus on other needs.
"Filling potholes, fixing fences," said Meyer, "really keeping roadways safe."
She added that the program also saves taxpayers money.
People considering volunteering can adopt a roadway section or rest area for two years and clean it at least twice a year. There's also an option for a one-time clearing of garbage near a state highway.
The agency provides training, resources, and safety vests. The state observes the program's 35th anniversary next year.
Meyer encouraged drivers to use caution if they approach an area with volunteer crews at work.
"A lot of our volunteers do go out and pick up trash on the weekends," said Meyer. "So, that's a time to really be alert out there for those volunteers - to slow down, to give them space, to do their job safely. "
Meyer said areas outside Minneapolis and St. Paul tend to have more opportunities for highway adoption.
More details are on the department's website, including a list of local coordinators around the state.
get more stories like this via email