July 16, 2002 Contact: Janice Parks (714) 834-6896
COUNTY REACHES OUT TO LATINO SENIOR COMMUNITY THROUGH TOWN HALL
SANTA ANA, Calif., May 14, 2002 — The County of Orange, Community Services Agency, Office on Aging in collaboration with Orange County Board of Supervisors, AARP and community-based Latino leaders will sponsor “Apoyo, Igualdad, y Sabiduría: Una Voz Para Personas Mayores” (‘Support, Equality, and Wisdom: a Voice for Seniors’),Thursday, May 23, 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., at the Orange County Social Services Agency, 1337 W. Braden Court in Orange. Josh Valdez, DBA, Federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Secretary Tommy Thompson's Regional Representative for Region IX, and Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Orange County will address the group and lead discussions on critical issues for Latino seniors in Orange County. “Our primary concern is to pinpoint those areas where we can affect tangible improvements for Latino seniors and then begin to layout plans of action,” said Valdez. Valdez is responsible for guidance and coordination of HHS policies in the western states region. Pamela Mokler, executive director for the Office on Aging, added, “The purpose of the forum is to conduct a needs assessment of Latino seniors in order to help us meet their needs more effectively and conduct more meaningful outreach. It is important for the population being served to tell us their needs in their own words.” The Latino Senior Town Hall will help the Office on Aging access gaps in existing services and develop strategies that target outreach programs. AARP, the event co-sponsor, will be key in the effort. “Helping older Americans live with independence, dignity and purpose is AARP’s primary goal and we are privileged to assist the Office on Aging in catering to this community,” said David Damian Figueroa, associate state director for AARP in California. The Office on Aging, which provides resources to nearly 400,000 seniors throughout the county, is dedicated to improving the lives of older adults living in Orange County. For more information about senior services and programs, call (800) 510-2020 or (714) 567-7500 (if calling from outside of Orange County, CA). For media inquires, call Janice Parks, Public Information Officer at (714) 834-6896.