2022 In Review – New Programs and New Faces

December 27, 2022March 25, 2024 News

In 2022, the Council on Aging grew new programs – Caring Connections and Pet Pals – an introduced new faces across all departments.

Pet Pals Gets Off the Ground

In 2022, we started building our Pet Pals program, which offers much-needed pet food, supplies, and veterinary services to homebound and disabled Meals on Wheels clients in Bend, La Pine, and Sisters. Stacy Eidler, a former volunteer at the Council on Aging, has joined the team to manage the program.

Caring Connections is Expanding its Reach

Our Caring Connections program is expanding across Central Oregon, focusing on the more rural areas of Crook and Jefferson Counties. The program matches volunteers with older adults who connect via a weekly phone call or visit, which serve as a friendly check-in, a referral system to other CoA resources, and an opportunity for a senior to socialize. Jamie Lacore, a long-time Caring Connections volunteer, is overseeing the program.

Jamie is seeking English-speaking and bilingual volunteers residing in Crook or Jefferson County. Sign up to volunteer with Caring Connections at our volunteer page.

News from Case Management

We’ve seen an increased need for our services across the tri-county, and our case management team is responding to the demand. With the easing of pandemic restrictions, they have returned to in-person assessments, allowing them to connect more with their clients.

The team is growing! Brony Hruska joined the Council on Aging as a case manager in Bend and Sisters. With years of experience in senior and disability services, we’re excited to have Brony on the team. We will also be posting a new position for a bilingual case manager in early 2023. We are sad to say goodbye to our longtime case manager Christine Foy. Congrats on your retirement!

Volunteer Management Adds a Helping Hand

Volunteer Manager, Marianne McClure, welcomed Emily Wells to the team, who previously served as the Sisters Meal Site Manager. The volunteer management team had their hands full coordinating the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program, which delivered gifts to the 569 Meals on Wheels recipients across Central Oregon. A special thank you to 7 Peaks School, Heart Warmers, Soroptimist Club, Home Instead, and all of the community lunch performers.

New Faces in Sisters and Bend

Ani Kasch has joined the nutrition team as the new Sisters Meal Site Manager. She will oversee the in-person dining program, Meals on Wheels, and Grab-N-Go lunches. We also hired Jourdan Andrews as the Sous Chef in the Bend kitchen and Katie Albright as the receptionist and all-around administrator.

New Directions Published

We’re thrilled to announce that the 2022-2024 Directions is available. At 130 pages, this is the most comprehensive resource guide for older adults in Central Oregon. It can be viewed and downloaded from our website, and printed versions are available throughout the tri-county region.

The Council on Aging’s Senior Services Center Debut

After four years of renovation, we’ve opened the doors to our Senior Services Center at 1036 NE 5th Street in Bend. The new Senior Services Center is designed to be a resource for all Central Oregon seniors, featuring an information and referral hub, a large dining hall, a community room, social areas, a production kitchen, and administrative offices. The Center will operate five days a week with full business hours starting at the beginning of the New Year.

Investments That Made a Difference in 2022

We had a very good year for new programs, final rehabilitation of the CoA Senior Services Center, and new and evergreen donors that stepped up to help us keep seniors safe and well fed in their own homes! Highlights for our seniors included significant gifts from the following:

Your Contribution Changes Lives

As the year ends, we thank you for your support. Every dollar donated to the Council on Aging goes directly to the services we deliver. Would you like to make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults in our community? Volunteer! The Council on Aging of Central Oregon is a 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID is 93-0661229. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.