Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging in Vermont
Donate to the NEK Council on Aging

May is Older Americans Month

Mel Reis • May 11, 2021

Celebrating the Strength of Our Communities

Dear Friends,

In tough times, communities find strength in people—and people find strength in their communities. In the past year, we’ve seen this time and again the Northeast Kingdom as friends, neighbors, and businesses have found new ways to support each other.

In our community, older adults are a key source of this strength. Through their experiences, successes, and difficulties, they have built resilience that helps them to face new challenges. When communities tap into this, they become stronger too.

Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads the celebration of Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme is Communities of Strength, recognizing the important role older adults play in fostering the connection and engagement that build strong, resilient communities.

Strength is built and shown not only by bold acts, but also small ones of day-to-day life—a conversation shared with a friend, working in the garden, trying a new recipe, or taking time for a cup of tea on a busy day. And when we share these activities with others—even virtually or by telling about the experience later—we help them build resilience too.

This year, the NEK Council on Aging will celebrate OAM by encouraging community members to share their experiences. Together, we can find strength—and create a stronger future.

Here are some ways to share and connect:

• Look for joy in the every day: Celebrate small moments and ordinary pleasures by taking time to recognize them. Start a gratitude journal and share it with others via social media, or call a friend or family member to share a happy moment or to say thank you.

• Reach out to neighbors: Even if you can’t get together in person right now, you can still connect with your neighbors. Leave a small gift on their doorstep, offer to help with outdoor chores, or deliver a homecooked meal.

• Build new skills: Learning something new allows us to practice overcoming challenges. Take an art course online or try a socially distanced outdoor movement class to enjoy learning with others in your community. Have a skill to share? Find an opportunity to teach someone, even casually.

• Share your story: There’s a reason storytelling is a time-honored activity. Hearing how others experience the world helps us grow. Interviewing family, friends, and neighbors can open up new conversations and strengthen our connections.

When people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, and talents share experiences—through action, story, or service—we help build strong communities. And that’s something to celebrate! Please join us in strengthening our community – share your talents and stories with us, lead a wellness class, or volunteer.

For more resources and to partner with us to make our communities stronger, visit our website www.nekcouncil.org or call our helpline (800) 642-5119.

Thank you,

Meg Burmeister
Executive Director
NEK Council on Aging

AFEP Wellness Leader Needed in St. Johnsbury

By Mel Reis • 10 May, 2024
The NEKCOA will pay for your training!

The NEKCOA Celebrates Older Americans Month

By Mel Reis • 01 May, 2024
This year's theme is Powered by Connection

The Scoop - May 2024 Issue

By Mel Reis • 30 Apr, 2024
Click here to read the May 2024 issue of our monthly nutrition and wellness newsletter.

NEKCOA and NVRH Partner to Present End-of-Life Resource and Education Fair

By Mel Reis • 03 Apr, 2024
The event will take place on Friday, May 17th from 10 - 3 at the United Baptist Church in Waterford, VT. The event is free and open to the public.

Warm Weather is on the Way! Check out a Wellness Class Near You!

By Mel Reis • 03 Apr, 2024
Click here to download a complete NEKCOA Wellness Class Schedule.

Celebrating our 45th Anniversary!

By Mel Reis • 02 Apr, 2024
Our friends at the Caledonian Record summarized this special anniversary! Click here to read the article from 3/30/24.

NEKCOA Welcomes Elijah Capron as Options Counselor

02 Apr, 2024
He will be working out of our Newport office.

NEKCOA and NVRH Present End-of-Life Resource Fair

By Mel Reis • 20 Mar, 2024
We are pleased to partner with NVRH to present this unique opportunity - An End of Life Resource and Education Fair! Join us to meet with area organizations and businesses who support this stage of life where good planning can make a world of difference. We appreciated the responses to our survey sent out in January to determine what topics the public may find of interest for this event. A special thanks to our friends at Community National Bank for serving as our key sponsor. #nvrh #communitynationalbank

March 2024 NEKCOA Quarterly Newsletter

By Mel Reis • 12 Mar, 2024
Click here to read our March 2024 Quarterly Newsletter
Show More
Share by: