Sponsored by: Serving Seniors Nearly one-third of all San Diegans experiencing homelessness are over the age of 55. Sadly, that number continues to grow each year. The need for support services is vital. And that’s where Serving Seniors steps up as a safety net with meals and wraparound services. President and CEO Melinda Forstey joins our Laura Cavanaugh to share how this life-changing support is helping older adults thrive. Serving Seniors is the leading nonprofit supporting low-income and homeless older adults in San Diego County. And Serving Seniors has led the way since 1970. Working at sites across the county and in the homes of hundreds of homebound seniors, Serving Seniors provides 1.5 million meals annually along with support services to over 13,000 older adults each year. Serving Seniors is the largest provider of meals to seniors in the county, and among the few organizations in the nation providing such a broad base of services to vulnerable, at-risk older adults. Serving Seniors has fresh leadership from new President & CEO, Melinda Forstey. She was recently promoted from Chief Operating Officer and has worked with Serving Seniors for 16 years. Older adults are the fastest-growing population becoming homeless. “We need to meet this moment. That means aggressively building more affordable housing, expanding prevention programs like shallow rental subsidies and also adding more age-friendly shelters,” said Forstey. While ensuring older adults facing homelessness have access to services, Forstey is focused on increasing prevention strategies like shallow rental subsidies. These are more effective and cost much less. They are also more humane. Our older adult population is growing. Serving Seniors wants to rally our community to help address this problem. We are helping our parents and grandparents, family, friends and neighbors. The organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Serving Seniors Sunshine Gala, is coming up on Saturday, October 11 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. It will be a fun and unforgettable, Jimmy Buffett-inspired night with a live band to celebrate our community’s seniors and a joyful tribute to the recently retired Paul Downey, his legacy, advocacy and his 30 years of service for seniors. Tickets to the fundraiser are still available. “This is a fun night, but also a night to demonstrate the impact that everyone in that room makes on the lives of older adults,” said Forstey. “In addition to being a fun night, it’s really an opportunity to support those older adults most in need in our community.” To learn more, support, or to get involved, call (619) 235-6572 or visit www.servingseniors.org Sponsored by: Serving Seniors