City accepts Oscar Renbomb Foundation grant to fund neighborhood older‑adult pilot

The City of Madison Finance Committee voted unanimously March 2 to accept a proposed grant from the Oscar Renbomb Foundation to fund a four‑year neighborhood‑based older‑adult pilot program, Community Development Division staff said.

Yolanda Shelton Morris of the Community Development Division told the committee the pilot is designed to expand outreach beyond the Madison Senior Center by placing program and outreach staff in neighborhood locations and partner sites. "The pilot is meant to expand our current outreach and engagement efforts ... these two positions will be in addition to the two program and outreach coordinators that I already have on staff," Shelton Morris said, describing work at senior living communities and neighborhood centers and partnerships with organizations such as the Foundation for Black Women's Wellness and the UW Alzheimer's research center.

Shelton Morris said staff hope to begin recruitment in early spring and have the two grant‑funded positions in place as soon as May or June. Committee members asked whether the positions are temporary; staff confirmed they are funded by the grant and would not automatically roll into the city's base budget without additional resources. Members thanked staff and the Ranabomb (as transcribed) Foundation for their partnership in developing the idea.

The resolution to accept the grant was moved, seconded and recorded as a unanimous vote. Staff said further program details and community engagement will be developed as hiring proceeds.