YMCA of San Francisco’s Post

Stories build community and connect us (even if we can’t be physically together). The best sharing activities are those where people feel encouraged and at ease. For the older adults month, here are some ideas to get started: - Arrange for older adults to share or read stories. - Call to see if a local school would like to host a “Senior Day” where older adults speak to students or contact libraries about older adults reading to young children. - Arrange for children to interview older adults in the community and write short biographies. Sample questions - What was the happiest moment of your life? The saddest? - Who has been the most significant influence on your life? What lessons did you learn? - How has your life been different from what you’d imagined? - What is the hardest thing you have ever had to do? - What are you proudest of in your life? Why - Who has had the most significant influence on your life, and how? - Who are your best friends? What are they like? - Can you tell a story about any cultural traditions observed by your family and help us understand why they are essential? Have fun! Happy Older Adults Month. Source: Administration for Community Living. ACL.gov

Inclusion is more than geography. Support, training, coaching and teamwork!

Older Americans Month Tip #2: Explore the rewards of growing older. With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Continue to grow that knowledge through reading, listening, classes and creative activities. #NMYMCA #OlderAmericansMonth

NATIONAL BARRIER AWARENESS DAY HISTORY In 1986, Congress designated May 7, 1986, as National Barrier Awareness Day by a House Joint Resolution (544). It authorized the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the day. On May 7, 1986, President Ronald Reagan issued proclamation 5472 and called for Americans to recognize the day with events and programs that would contribute to removing the obstacles facing those with disabilities. #BarrierAwarenessDay.

We are delighted to share the findings from an evaluation of our Every Body Needs to Know program, which provides school-based relationships and sexuality education for students with disabilities in Queensland. Despite the societal barriers that people with disabilities often face in accessing vital relationships and sexuality information, our program has made significant strides in bridging this gap, empowering over 2,100 students across 74 schools since 2019. Findings from this evaluation revealed positive program impacts, recurrent challenges, and informed actionable recommendations for program improvements. These findings will underscore our efforts to better serve the diverse needs of students with disabilities across Queensland and contribute to broader advancements in policy and practice. To find the report: https://lnkd.in/gJyWpaG2

People of all ages need help when society as a whole isn't supportive of their ability to live autonomous, quality lives. Our challenge is to change our cultural misunderstanding of aging. It begins with each of us being more aware of widespread ageism and its impacts. This Saturday, Oct. 7, is Ageism Awareness Day. To find out more about how you can help spread the word about ageism and how to abolish it, visit https://lnkd.in/gJpaaukR.

Did you know that May is Older Americans Month (OAM)! Let's take a moment to celebrate the immense contributions of older Americans to our country. They have worked their entire lives to achieve the American Dream for their families and communities, making our nation stronger and building a future of possibilities for new generations. 🌟 As we honor their achievements, let us also commit to ensuring that every American can age with the dignity and the financial security that they deserve. 🌟 It is also a time to recognize the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. Connectedness plays a vital role in supporting independence and aging in place by combating isolation, loneliness, and other issues. 🌟 This is a time to stand firm in our efforts to support older Americans and ensure that they can continue to thrive and contribute to our society. How can you support these efforts? Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). Their 2024 theme is 'Powered by Connection.' Inspire older adults to share what connection means to them on social media using the hashtag #PoweredByConnection. https://lnkd.in/gu4666WQ #OlderAmericansMonth #AgingWithDignity #AgingAndLivingLife #InspireOlderAdults #Community #Dignity

Learn more about creating equitable early childhood systems with BUILD Initiative. All actions need to be assessed to ensure the impact is equitable for children and families of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds and for families of diverse socio-economic status. Read more: https://ow.ly/lcuh50SHuWx #EarlyChildhood #EquityMatters

Wondering how you can promote inclusion in your program? Does navigating policy seem daunting to you? Join this series to learn about the newly released Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs from the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To register, visit bit.ly/fedguidance2024 In the first session (May 8th), we will provide an overview of the policy statement and state-level recommendations. In the second session (May 15th), we will dive deeper into the components of this policy statement, explore local recommendations and the ways in which this statement can be a resource, and reflect on how it can reaffirm your program and community’s commitment to inclusion.

Wondering how you can promote inclusion in your program? Does navigating policy seem daunting to you? Join this series to learn about the newly released Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs from the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To register, visit bit.ly/fedguidance2024 In the first session (May 8th), we will provide an overview of the policy statement and state-level recommendations. In the second session (May 15th), we will dive deeper into the components of this policy statement, explore local recommendations and the ways in which this statement can be a resource, and reflect on how it can reaffirm your program and community’s commitment to inclusion.