2022-27 Master Aging Plan (MAP)

I want to say thank you to the 150+ persons, including older adults, local organizations, county departments and all the municipalities for joining us in this grassroots planning effort. We have some exciting projects on the horizon over the next five years.

A big thank you also goes out to the seven workgroup leaders, interns, the MAP Racial Equity team, the MAP Steering Committee, our Orange County Advisory Board on Aging and a very special thank you to Cass Dictus and Kenesha Wood for their outstanding support in helping get the MAP completed.

A draft of the 2022-27 Master Aging Plan is available for public view on our website with the final document being posted after it is presented to the Board of County Commissioners in late May. To learn more about the MAP, view the 2022-27 MAP draft, and the matrix of our 2017-22 MAP past accomplishments visit the Master Aging Plan online. To share your comments, please contact me.

Thank you,

Janice Tyler, Director
Orange County Department on Aging
jtyler@orangecountync.gov
919-245-4255

Memory Café

Join us for a free, fun, low stress social engagement opportunity for people living with dementia and their care partners. Contact Kendall Kopchick (919-245-4278 or Kkopchick@orangecountync.gov) for more information or to register.

• Monday May 9, 11 am at Bruegger’s Bagels
• Registration encouraged by Thursday May 5

Recycle Right, Reduce, and Reuse More

Interested in learning how to reduce the waste you generate, explore ways to reuse everyday items and recycle properly? We will cover the County’s recycling program in detail and the specialty recycling services offered at the Waste & Recycling Centers. Discover new practices to reduce your waste in ways that fit your lifestyle. Hosted by Kyra Levau, OC Solid Waste. Min: 10/Max: 25.

Date: Wed, May 11; Time: 2 - 3 pm
Location: Passmore Hybrid; Phone: 919-245-2015
Code: 224053 01, 02; Register By: Wed, May 4; Fee: FREE

Blumora – Lunchtime Concert

Come listen to this talented acoustic duo with their beautiful arrangements inspired by folk, country, bluegrass and Americana. Enjoy strong melodies and harmonies, along with the sound of guitars, mandolin, and electronic foot percussion. Bring lunch and a folding chair (or enjoy from your car). Min: 10 / Max: 75

Date: Wed, May 18; Time: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Location: Seymour Outdoors; Phone: 919-968-2070
Code: 313118-01; Register by: Wed, May 11; Fee: FREE

Donate Books, Games and Puzzles for the Books and Games Sale Fundraiser

The Seymour Friends are accepting donations of books, games and puzzles, with all the pieces, for our future Books and Games Sale fundraiser on Sat, May 21.

The Friends will accept donations through May 20th, and can give donation slips to anyone who requests them.

Changes to Chapel Hill's Senior Shuttle and G Routes Began on April 4

Due to impacts from the Estes Drive Connectivity Project, Chapel Hill Transit has updated the G and Senior Shuttle routes to best accommodate riders. For more information on the project, please visit, townofchapelhill.org/residents/transportation/capital-projects/estes-drive-connectivity-project.
 
For specific schedule information, please visit www.chtransit.org, email chtransit@townofchapelhill.org, or call a customer service representative at 919-485-7433. Older adults with questions and comments can also reach out to the Dept. on Aging’s Transportation Specialist, Brandi Beeker, bbeeker@orangecountync.gov, 919-717-1853.

Download the Senior Shuttle Schedule.

OCDOA Upcoming Monthly Events are now Available on Podcast for People who are Blind or Print Impaired

Thanks to our friends at the North Carolina Reading Service, you can find a podcast of each monthly edition of the Orange County Department of Aging’s OCDOA Upcoming Events e-newsletter by taking the following steps:

• Go to the North Carolina Reading Service website (https://www.ncreadingservice.org/)
• Click on the “Listen" tab
• Next to "How to Listen to NCRS”, click on “Skip to Podcasts Section" 
• Under the “Newsletters" column on the far right side of the page, click on "Orange County Dept. Of  Aging”

The North Carolina Reading Service (NCRS), is a 24/7 news and information service reading newspapers, magazines and other forms of printed material for people who are blind or print impaired using the latest audio technology. Volunteers read the local news, editorials, obituaries, literature, and featured articles from daily, weekly, and biweekly newspapers, including the News & Observer and USA Today. We also host original interview programs that discuss specific subjects such as education, community connections, tech tips, legal matters, veteran experiences and many more.  This is made possible by dedicated volunteers who donate more than 8,000 hours annually so people who are blind and print impaired can receive the same ease of access to current information as their sighted peers.

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service.  Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application. You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.

Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA)

The EHA was created to help Orange County residents with low incomes prevent eviction and homelessness and secure and maintain stable housing. Assistance is available to households  in Orange County that:

1. Earn no more than 30% of the area median income 
2. Have an urgent need for housing assistance that is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
3. Do not have adequate resources to cover the cost of their housing need.

Rent, mortgage and utility payments, security deposits, application fees and other emergency housing-related expenses are eligible for reimbursement.

To learn more or to apply, call the Orange County Housing Helpline at 919-245-2655 or visit Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Program

The program is funded by Orange County and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, along with state and federal funding.

Financial Assistance for Housing Payments

The NC Homeowner Financial Assistance Fund is now accepting applications from North Carolina homeowners whose finances were impacted by the pandemic and who need assistance with housing-related expenses.

Homeowners can learn more and apply for help by calling 1-855-MY-NCHAF (1-855-696-2423) or by visiting NCHomeownerAssistance.gov.

Low Income Household
Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

 LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program that will help eligible households and families afford water and wastewater services, providing a one-time payment for eligible low-income households paid directly to the utility company. LIHWAP runs through September 2023 or until the funds are exhausted. Apply online at www.epass.nc.gov or call/visit your local County Department of Social Services. Learn more download the LIHWAP flier.

Senior Center Fee Payment and Financial Assistance

The Orange County Senior Centers strive to be accessible and welcoming to all seniors.  If you want to participate in senior center fee-based activities and are unable, or unwilling, to pay a required fee, you may still participate.

Furthermore, a selection of free activities and programs are available to seniors age 55 and over. Read more.

Special Olympics Orange County Charity Golf Tournament 

Special Olympics Orange County is hosting a Charity Golf Tournament to benefit Special Olympic athletes throughout the Triangle on Monday, August 8, 2022, at the Chapel Hill Country Club. This event is vital to the success of Special Olympic programs and will provide funding to host local and regional Special Olympic tournaments for all sports.
 
You can help; sign up to play, sponsor or volunteer! Visit Special Olympics Orange County Charity Golf Tournament.
 
We hope that you will join us and support Special Olympics for our community.  Please contact me if you have questions or need additional information.
 
Thank you in advance for your support.
 
Donna F. Jarmusz, Fundraising Team Lead, Special Olympics Charity Golf Tournament