How can seniors help to ensure that their interests are being considered by legislators and elected officials? What’s the best way to get community support for critical programs that are crucial to the welfare of thousands of older adults? How can seniors influence policy makers and corporate leaders? The answer to all three of these questions can be summed up in one word – ADVOCACY.
The Detroit Senior Ambassador Program (DSAP) is an advocacy group comprised of seniors throughout the Detroit area. Seniors who are interested in social and political activism are encouraged to join DSAP. Once enrolled in the program, members participate in a multi-day training on City, State and Federal Budget and Legislative Processes; Senior Policies, Programs and Entitlements; Organizing Across Generations; Fundraising Fundamentals; Organizing in a Multi-Cultural Community; Techniques of Social Action; Volunteerism and Mentoring; How to Run an Effective Meeting; Working With the Media; Writing Skills and Techniques; Conflict Resolution; and Public Speaking with Confidence.
After training is completed, these newly empowered advocates began a highly organized educational campaign that encourages others within the community to become active in supporting services for the aging, such as: Nutrition, caregiving, long-term care, housing, healthcare and Medicare reform.
“The Detroit Senior Ambassadors are essential to the senior community. They represent seniors of all ethnicities, income levels and social backgrounds - but they are particularly crucial to seniors who are frail, disabled or homebound and unable meet with stakeholders within the community or to go Lansing to advocate for services that are dire to their well-being and independence,” said Paul Bridgewater, Executive Director of Detroit Area Agency on Aging. “They give a voice to those who are unable to speak for themselves.”
“I truly enjoy being a Senior Ambassador”, said Shirley Dudley, a Senior Ambassador for over two years. “This program gives me the opportunity to educate the community on what we - as seniors- must contend with on a daily basis. Many people take it for granted that seniors are well provided for through social programs or Medicare and social security. They aren’t aware of the fact that a lot of seniors are living on small fixed incomes, trying to balance the cost of food, prescriptions and household expenses.”
“Many times”, continues Dudley, “ I have met with people who are shocked when I tell them about how some seniors try to eke out a living on their meager incomes. Of course, once they are aware of the issues within the senior community, they are more than ready to support programs to assist this at-risk group.”
“Seniors are the best advocates for themselves”, said Dr. Jennifer Mendez, Director of Education, Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University. “The seniors who train to become Senior Ambassadors have a profound commitment to their community and a strong sense of pride about the work that they do.”
The Detroit Senior Ambassadors meet monthly at the Detroit Area Agency on Aging to develop advocacy strategies that promotes senior services and programs, public policies beneficial to older adults and vital findings as it relates to the Detroit area senior community. Additionally, the senior ambassadors meet with state officials, participate in public hearings and organize letter-writing campaigns.
The Detroit Senior Ambassador Program was established by Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology in 2001. It is sponsored through the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. For more information on this program, call Shirley Williams at 313-446-4444