The AHEPAN Fall 2022 - 35

HOUSING
AHEPA Senior Living Board Announces $400K+ in Grants
The AHEPA Senior Living Board of Directors announced
grants totaling $422,000 to nonprofit entities that will serve
to strengthen our communities at its July meeting held at
the AHEPA Centennial Supreme Convention in Orlando.
The grants will assist entities that operate domestic
violence shelters and provide supportive services to survivors
of domestic abuse and sexual assault; and providers
of veterans housing. Grants also will support charities
and foundations that assist the blind or those affected
by Tourette syndrome. The AHEPA Cooley's Anemia
Foundation received a grant for its work to raise awareness
of Thalassemia and the Daughters of Penelope received
one for its support of Meals on Wheels America, which
helps combat food insecurity for older adults and senior
isolation.
Incoming ASL Chairman Gulas presented
SP Kokotas with a donation
to the AHEPA Cooley's Anemia
Foundation.
Verges is presented with the ANHC
Lifetime Achievement Award.
In addition, the board presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Mary Verges, who serves as president of Penelope 54, Inc.,
Houston. Penelope 54 Senior Apartments has two phases, totaling 112 units. Verges also is a Daughters of Penelope Past Grand
President.
Pilot Program to Reduce Internet Costs a Success
Residents at AHEPA 39 Senior Apartments in Haverhill, Mass.,
are now saving money on broadband internet access thanks in
part to a new federal program and to the efforts of an AHEPA
Senior Living service coordinator, who teamed up with a community
organization to assist the residents with accessing the
benefit.
The new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) from the
Federal Communications Commission provides discounts of
up to $30 per month on internet costs for qualified low-income
households.
In an interview for LeadingAge, a nonprofit association for
aging services providers, AHEPA 39 Senior Apartments Service
Coordinator Lucinda Nolet said residents came to her when
they read about the ACP. She realized that many of them would
need help in applying for and receiving the new benefit. Further,
Lucinda relied on her experiences as a social worker and service
coordinator. Those experiences informed her that signing up
for such programs can be complicated and oftentimes do not
go smoothly.
" I think people were isolated [because of] COVID, and
some were also lacking in computer skills or did not have the
www.ahepa.org
equipment, " Nolet told LeadingAge. " So this program was a
bridge for them. "
The community held a pilot program to connect residents to
staff and volunteers from MakeIT Haverhill/Community Action,
Inc. They worked with nine residents to help them connect and
also save on their internet service. It was a successful event with
lots of troubleshooting glitches, laughs, and high-fives, thanks to
the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Editor's Note: LeadingAge published a blog piece by Gene
Mitchell on June 9, 2022, about the pilot program's success at
AHEPA 39. Portions of this article are taken from it.
Fall 2022 · THE AHEPAN | 35

https://leadingage.org/node/477361 http://www.ahepa.org

The AHEPAN Fall 2022

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