Our Alliance has some new ways to share information and connect with each other! Drs. Emily Greenfield and Althea Pestine-Stevens from Rutgers School of Social Work present new communications platforms intended to help us stay more connected and informed as local initiatives continue to evolve. Included in this discussion are an eNewsletter, Padlet bulletin board, Listserv, and Website/blog. Use this link to access the activity worksheets: https://docs.google.com/presentation/....

Featuring RoseAnn Ciarlante from Westwood; Carmen Morale, Tracy Carroll, and Cathy Rowe from South Orange and Maplewood, and Darleen Reveille from Garfield. Panelists from three communities who have been doing age-friendly work for at least 5 years share the diverse and widespread ways in which they connect, share information, and spread awareness with community members, organizational partners, elected officials, and more. Speakers provide tips for new leaders starting their age-friendly community work and lessons that they learned along the way.

Our June 8, 2022 alliance meeting on “Engaging Historically Marginalized Older Adults in Age-Friendly Communities” had two enlightening presentations by Drs. Laurent Reyes and Melanie Plasencia, followed by a lively Q & A session. Some key takeaways included: • The importance of recruiting people with historically marginalized identities as leaders; • Designing events that include elements of cultural importance; and • Recognizing the leadership already occurring in communities.

Panel conversation with peer leaders in municipal age-friendly advocacy: Cristina Cutrone, Deputy Mayor, Borough of Fair Lawn Karen Hartshorn Hilton, Trustee, Village of South Orange Barry Lewis, Township Manager, Township of Livingston Moderated by Althea Pestine-Stevens, Rutgers University School of Social Work

Enjoy this year-end review highlighting the work and activities of AFNJ members