Here’s what we found...
Helping Homebound Older Adults Stay Healthy and Connected During COVID-19
In March when our state was considering a stay-at-home order, Centralina Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and the state of North Carolina canceled all in-person workshops.
Meeting Your Transportation Needs No Matter Where You Live
In the latest CONNECT Beyond advisory committee meeting, held on April 28, seasoned community builders and transportation professionals shared their vision for how a holistic and integrated transportation system can improve the lives of everyone in the Centralina region.
Transit in a Post COVID-19 Environment
What can we learn from the pandemic to make our communities stronger and better connected?
Centralina and the MTC Approves CONNECT Beyond Plan
Centralina Regional Council and the Metropolitan Transit Commission approved the CONNECT Beyond regional mobility plan on Wednesday, Oct. 13 and Wednesday, Oct. 27 respectively. The plan provides the framework that will encourage economic growth, connected communities and equitable opportunities. Many transit options are currently focused on localized areas that leave gaps in transit on a regional level and the CONNECT Beyond recommendations will close these gaps and improve access by creating a total mobility network.
Celebrating Older Americans in May
May is Older Americans’ Month—a time to celebrate Communities of Strength. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy designated May as Senior Citizens’ Month, and it eventually became known as Older Americans’ Month. At that time, there were only 17 million Americans age 65 or older. About a third of those older adults lived in poverty, and there were few programs to meet their needs.
The Role of Regionalism in Affordable Housing
As the gap between housing construction and demand continues to widen across the United States, many local communities are faced with housing shortages. In turn, homeowners and renters alike are experiencing significant affordability challenges. Learn about how Centralina is approaching the problem.
COVID-19 Recovery Funds: Centralina AAA Looks Ahead
The COVID-19 pandemic affected older adults and individuals with disabilities, especially more disproportionately than other demographic groups. As a result, many agencies and organizations that provide support reduced or curtailed their services in order to protect employees and volunteers from possible exposure to COVID-19 and to prevent the spread of the illness to individuals they served.
Moving Towards an Inclusive Centralina Region
The health and economic crises, triggered by COVID-19, has had profound short-term impacts, some of which have been felt universally and others unequally. As we continue to respond to the public health crisis, it is critical to set ourselves on path for recovery that also addresses long standing racial and economic inequalities across our region.
Protecting Older Adults from COVID-19 and Isolation Over the Holidays
The Centers for Disease Control stated that older adults are among those that should not travel at all over the holidays due to the risk of COVID-19 exposure. This also includes having family members travel to the older adult as well.
Opportunity Site Opens in Morven
On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, Centralina Workforce Development Board (WDB) celebrated the opening of its Opportunity Site, housed in the HOLLA! Community Resource and Community Development Center, a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of services and programs that aid in increasing the test scores of youth so that they are better equipped to make positive contribution to the community and society.