Empowered Aging

02/27/2026

🖤 Black History Month | Empowered Aging

This month, we honor the resilience, brilliance, and leadership of Black elders who paved the way, Black advocates who fought for civil rights, and Black communities who continue to shape our nation’s progress in health, justice, education, and public service.

At Empowered Aging, we recognize that advocacy for older adults is deeply connected to racial equity. Black older adults have historically faced disparities in healthcare access, wealth accumulation, housing stability, and long-term care quality yet continue to lead, build, and sustain communities across generations.

📖 Did you know?
Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” founded Negro History Week in 1926, which later evolved into Black History Month, to ensure the achievements of Black Americans were formally recognized and studied year-round.

As February comes to a close, our commitment does not.
We remain dedicated to equity, dignity, and justice for all older adults, every month of the year.

02/19/2026

📣 Our February Staff Meeting…

We were honored to welcome Monica Kirkland, State Policy Director from the Senior Services Coalition of Alameda County for an empowering and highly engaging presentation on legislative advocacy! 🗣️📊

Thanks to Monica, our team left feeling well informed, inspired, and equipped with practical insight into how nonprofit organizations can engage with policy makers to advance solutions that improve older adults’ access to essential services like food, housing, healthcare, and community-based supports.

The Senior Services Coalition brings together over 40 nonprofit and public organizations to strengthen advocacy, build partnerships, and drive policy change that supports aging with dignity and equity in Alameda County.

✨ Staff feedback:
“So helpful and engaging!”
We are grateful for Monica’s expertise and for the work the Coalition does to uplift community voices and improve systems for aging adults. 💙

02/09/2026

What happens when opportunity meets purpose? Beginning with graduation and voices from Healthcare Career Pathway (HCP) program leaders and partners, the story highlights how tuition-free training, wraparound support, and person-centered values prepare a skilled workforce. It ends in the home of Barbara, an older adult with dementia, where our HCP graduate, Meli, delivers compassionate, person-centered care. For funders and supporters, the message is clear: investing in HCP expands the workforce, improves quality of care, and creates positive ripple effects for families and communities.
Empowered Aging is proud to support the Healthcare Career Pathway Program, which is funded by a grant from HCAI (Department of Health Care Access and Information).

We want to thank all of our current HCP county partners for their dedication and advocacy: Opportunity Junction, Mt. Diablo Adult Education, Loaves and Fishes, Fox Pacific Academy, Senior Advocacy Services, Sonoma JobLink, San Leandro Adult School, Alameda Area Agency on Aging, Alameda Workforce Development Board, Rubicon Programs, Lake County Office of Education, Mendocino Lake Adult & Career Education, Workforce Alliance of the Northbay, Mendocino County Office of Education, Ombudsman Program of Lake and Mendocino Counties, Academy of Health Careers, and Kern County LTC Ombudsman Program.
Lake County Office of Education Dorann Dodi Smith foxpacificacademy

01/27/2026

✨ This Is My Why: Mykel ✨

For Mykel, this work is about showing up, listening, learning, and standing alongside older adults to help ensure they are treated with dignity, respect, and care.

In this This Is My Why video, Mykel shares what inspired them to get involved with Empowered Aging and why advocating for older adults and their rights matters so deeply to them.

Stories like Mykel’s remind us that real change starts with people who are willing to be present and speak up.

💛 If you would like to support our work for older adults and caregivers, visit the link below

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/empoweredaging

01/21/2026

🍎 Share Your Voice: Contra Costa Food Security Survey 🍎
At Empowered Aging, we advocate for the well-being, dignity, and basic needs of older adults and community members. Access to food is essential to health, stability, and independence at every age.
The Food Security Collaborative is inviting community members to participate in a brief survey to help strengthen food access programs across Contra Costa County.
✔ Takes only 3 minutes
✔ Available in 8 languages
✔ Open until January 31
✔ Optional entry into a drawing for 20 Safeway gift cards ($50 each)
👉 Take the survey:
foodbankccs.org/FSCsurvey
Sharing for awareness—and for those who may be interested in making their voice heard. Please share widely. Your input helps build a stronger, healthier Contra Costa County.
Food Security Survey:
• English: https://bit.ly/3ZquH5u
• Spanish: https://bit.ly/4jV51Yi
Costa Food Security Collaborative.

Get more website visits

01/21/2026

💗 Love looks like community 💗

As advocates for older adults, we’re always glad to help share efforts that bring connection and joy to seniors.
This Valentine’s Day, GIVE - Getting Involved thru Volunteer Engagement is hosting Adopt a Grandparent, delivering Valentine’s Day grams to seniors in assisted living and memory care communities in Solano County.

Sharing for awareness—for those who may be interested in sponsoring or spreading a little love💖

01/19/2026

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

This MLK Day, Empowered Aging reflects on Dr. King’s words and their continued relevance. Our work to protect older adults from abuse, neglect, and systemic barriers is part of the ongoing fight for justice and dignity for all.

May we honor his legacy through service, advocacy, and compassion across generations.

01/16/2026

In this video, Daunje shares her “why” and what drives her commitment to Empowered Aging’s work. Every day, Empowered Aging advocates for older adults by protecting their rights, addressing abuse and neglect, and ensuring seniors and their families have someone to turn to during difficult moments.

This work is made possible through community support. If you’d like to learn more, get involved, or support these efforts, visit our website: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/empoweredaging

01/07/2026

💙 This is John’s why.

John is a Long-Term Care Ombudsman with Empowered Aging, and in this video he talks about what motivates him to show up for older adults living in care communities. His role is about listening, building trust, and making sure residents feel seen, heard, and respected.

John’s story is a reminder that this work is deeply personal. It’s about being present, speaking up when it matters, and walking alongside older adults and their families during challenging moments.

🎥 Take a moment to watch John’s “This Is My Why.”

If you’d like to support John's work and learn more about Empowered Aging, you can find more information here: https://bit.ly/3LswpQt

12/22/2025

Every program, every service, every moment of advocacy starts with purpose. Charmaine, Director of Programs and Services at Empowered Aging, shares why supporting older adults and protecting their rights is at the core of her work. We are grateful for leadership grounded in compassion and service.
Want to support the work Charmaine is talking about? Learn more, donate, or get involved here:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/empoweredaging

12/22/2025

✨ Happy Holidays from all of us at Empowered Aging! ✨

This season, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the people who make our work possible—our dedicated staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters. Every day, our team shows up to ensure older adults are heard, respected, and protected, and we are deeply grateful for the community that stands alongside us.

As we close out the year, we wish you and your loved ones a holiday season filled with warmth, peace, and connection. Thank you for being part of our mission and for helping us bring dignity, safety, and advocacy to older adults across our region.

💙 From our Empowered Aging family to yours—happy holidays and best wishes for the year ahead.

12/18/2025

In this video, Executive Director Susannah shares her why — the personal motivation behind her commitment to advocating for older adults and protecting their rights. As we reflect on the year, we remain dedicated to standing with residents, families, and caregivers across our community.
Watch her video and learn more about our work and how you can support older adults this season.