MyEnglewood September 2018 | Page 2

Age-Friendly Englewood hosted clergy of several faiths in July to brainstorm ways to help those who are isolated in their homes. From left are Joyce Dudley, consultant; Rabbi Charles Friedman, Englewood Hospital Chaplain; Rev. Richard Hong, First Presbyterian Church; Janet Sharma, Age-Friendly Englewood Coordinator, Sanetta Ponton, Metropolitan Church; Bishop Walter McKoy, Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic; Shelly Wimpfheimer, Community Chest; Rev. Elouise Hill-Challenger, Galilee United Methodist Church; Rev. Bill Allport, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Syed Zaidi, Mehfil-e-Shahe Khorasan; and Rabbi Chaim Poupko, Congregation Ahavath Torah. The photo was taken by JoEllen Knie, Assistant Coordinator of Age-Friendly Englewood. Age-Friendly Englewood (A-FE) is a coalition of more than 50 nonprofit organizations, houses of worship, civic organizations and agencies of City government working with elected officials to help older adults age-in-place with dignity and independence. A city that is age-friendly is a better place for people of all ages. Age-Friendly Englewood is modeled on “Essen- tial Features of Age-Friendly Cities” that was estab- lished by the World Health Organization. Included are the areas of Outdoor Spaces/Walkability; Trans- portation, Housing, Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion, Civic Participation, Health and Community Services, and Communication/Information. Working with local organizations and individu- als, A-FE has been addressing topics on the check- list, such as hosting conferences on Housing Options and Transportation Options, aggressively promoting the myriad activities accessible to resi- dents at little or no cost, and encouraging residents to volunteer at nonprofits in Englewood or else- where. Age-Friendly Englewood is re-printing its Guide to Senior Adult Services, 2,000 copies of which were distributed this spring. The new version will be available this fall at City Hall and the Englewood Public Library, among other places. The DPW’s annual calendar includes “age- friendly” tips on Sunday blocks throughout the year. To celebrate Older Americans Month in May, and to demonstrate that older adults are dynamic and fun-loving, A-FE sponsored a Doo-Wop show at BergenPAC; this May A-FE is sponsoring The Temptations and The Four Tops. Watch for a special discount code to be announced this fall. A-FE hosted consulting firm WSP to conduct a 2 SEPTEMBER 2018 MyEnglewood A new batch of Age- Friendly Englewood Guide to Senior Adult Services will be distributed this fall. “walkability study” in the central business district; A-FE also conducted a grass-roots survey enlisting from residents areas that need better pedestrian safety. Age-Friendly Englewood hosted clergy of all faiths at a breakfast meeting this summer. The main topic was how to address social isolation; several ideas were proposed that will be followed up. In the months ahead, Age-Friendly Englewood will be researching senior discounts at the many fitness studios and gyms in town, working with schools and youth organizations to connect students with their older neighbors to help with technology as well as with recycling, raking and shoveling. Age-Friendly Englewood is funded through a grant from The Henry and Marilyn Taub Founda- tion. The Community Chest of Englewood is the project’s fiscal agent. If you would like to receive Age-Friendly Engle- wood e-newsletter and information about other rel- evant activities and events, email [email protected]. UBATs are coming! Age-Friendly Englewood is spearheading a community collaboration dubbed “UBAT” – Utility Box Artistic Transfor- mation. The utility boxes targeted for transformation control the traffic lights on Palisade Avenue. Locations are at William Street, Nathaniel Place, North Van Brunt (City Hall), South Dean (Liberty Travel) and Grand Avenue (Starr Carpets). Major funding for the UBAT project is provided through Age-Friendly Engle- wood’s grant from The Henry and Marilyn Taub Founda- tion. The Community Foun- dation of Northern New Jer- sey is also a sponsor of the project; other key partners are the Chamber of Commerce, Community Chest of Engle- wood, One River Art School, Jewel Spiegel, Jerry Chambers, and local artists Irmari Nacht and Kathy Rebek. Support is being sought from local schools and artists as well as the newly-formed Special Improvement District. Project manager is Omar Lopez, founder of Englewood Family League LLC. Age-Friendly Englewood is for people of all ages