MENU
.jpg)
Gary, IND. – Today, Mayor Eddie D. Melton signed an Executive Order to acknowledge the creation of Gary’s first Age-Friendly Advisory Council. The announcement took place at J's Breakfast Club, where Mayor Melton was joined by the Mayor's Office of Constituent Services, a representative from AARP, and Silver Mondays, a local community group for seniors.
The Age-Friendly Advisory Council, composed of thirteen members appointed by the mayor for two-year appointments, includes representatives from various sectors and backgrounds within the community, such as government, business, education, healthcare, transportation, housing, and social services, as well as older adults. The Council will be responsible for planning and implementing age-friendly policies and practices.
"As many of our neighbors grow older and continue to lead active, healthy lives, it's critical that Gary remains a welcoming and inclusive place for seniors in our community." said Mayor Eddie Melton. "The knowledge and advice that will come from this council will be invaluable for my administration. I thank AARP for their partnership as the City of Gary takes this important step forward."
The AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities is a national initiative designed to promote livability, inspire engagement in change efforts, and foster a culture of inclusion. Nearly 100 million people reside in towns, cities, counties, territories, or states that are part of this network. Built upon the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities initiative, it recognizes the importance of creating environments that empower and enable communities to become more age-friendly by addressing the unique needs of their older residents.
"A truly livable community is one that serves as a lifelong home for its residents," said Emily Gorman, Director of Community Engagement at AARP Indiana. "We are thrilled to see Mayor Melton and the city of Gary recognize the vital role older residents play in its present and future success. AARP Indiana looks forward to working with the city and utilizing the tools that the Age-Friendly Network can bring to the table."
The Advisory Council will kick off its first year by conducting a community needs assessment survey. This survey will evaluate the city on eight domains of livability: outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, civic participation and employment, communication and information, respect and social inclusion, social participation, health services and community support, and housing. The assessment will help pinpoint community strengths and identify residents' crucial needs and concerns. Based on the findings, the council will prioritize key areas and develop a strategic action plan for the City of Gary.
The Mayor's Office of Constituent Services will support the Age-Friendly Advisory Council’s efforts. The immediate priority is to deploy the needs assessment survey, which will be distributed in senior facilities and via social media. Additionally, the office will collaborate with the Age-Friendly Advisory Council and AARP to host a series of roundtable discussions in 2025, focusing on policies and programs to foster innovation and create communities for all ages within the city.
"We are excited to support the Age-Friendly Advisory Council and collaborate with AARP on this initiative, "stated Kianna Grant, Director of the Mayor's Office of Constituent Services. "This is a unique opportunity for us to hear directly from our residents about their experiences and needs. As we work to address the challenges faced by our seniors, we want to keep their voices at the center of everything that we do."
For questions about the Age-Friendly Advisory Council, contact the City of Gary’s Mayor's Office of Constituent Services at mocs@gary.gov or at (219) 881-1311.
Click here to watch the press conference.
Media Contact:
Erika Blackwell
Chief Communications Officer
###
