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COA board hears hospital partnership, transportation numbers and community program updates
Summary
At the April 13 COA meeting, Executive Director Kaitlyn Thibeault announced a partnership with Sturdy Hospital for summer educational programs, reported 272 total rides in March, record attendance at the Lakeside Gallery, and described youth and accessibility initiatives including a planned chess event and installation of automatic door openers.
The COA Advisory Board received operational and program updates from Executive Director Kaitlyn Thibeault at its April 13 meeting.
Thibeault said the center has established a new partnership with Sturdy Hospital and will begin offering a series of educational presentations starting in the summer to support community health and wellness. She highlighted that staff member Cris located a free bed for a community member and, together with Deputy Chief Ricker of Rhode Island Together, assisted in retrieving and delivering it.
Thibeault also reported program metrics and community engagement: the Lakeside Gallery reception drew a record 60 participants, and the COA provided 48 medical rides and 224 shopping and event rides in March, totaling 272 rides. The center is collaborating with Animal Control to offer educational presentations, reviewing March attendance for upcoming programs, and organizing outreach with Sharon High School; National Honor Society students completed a spring cleanup, and organizers are developing a chess tournament that will pair high school students with senior participants.
Paul Remy of the Sharon Commission on Disabilities told the board he has been trying to interest Costco in purchasing Caroline’s Carts, a shopping-cart design for caregivers of people with disabilities, but said outreach has not yet succeeded. The trustees worked on installing automatic door openers for library bathrooms on the first and second floors to improve accessibility.
Committee reports followed: E. Feldman (HESSCO) reviewed services to Sharon through February and said the McMorgan road race fundraiser raised $52,000 and cited demographic projections that the population age 60+ will increase from 26% to 30% by 2030; M. Kempner (FSCOA) said The Residence at Five Corners Easton will sponsor the Volunteer Breakfast on May 7 and that the committee is working on a website and Venmo fundraising system; R. Maidman (AARP) noted abundant daily information on AARP’s website for members.
The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.; the board scheduled its next meeting for Monday, May 18 at 2:30 p.m.
