This March, JABA joins the Administration for Community Living and nutrition service providers across the country in celebrating the anniversary of the national Senior Nutrition Program, which coincides with the national awareness campaign about nutrition. This year’s theme “Cooking up Community” puts an emphasis on the way providing access to healthy food helps build healthier communities for people of all ages.
JABA helps older adults in our community, and their families and caregivers, by promoting healthy eating, decreasing social isolation, and improving health. Our programs also provide connections to home and community-based services that can support independence and overall well-being. For instance, our Home Delivered Meals program provides healthy meals to low-income, home-bound older adults or those who are having trouble preparing meals on their own. At our Community Senior Centers and Respite & Enrichments Centers (REC), not only do we provide much needed social interaction, members receive healthy lunches, nutrition education, and health support from on-staff nurses and caregiver professionals.
Since 1972, the Senior Nutrition Program has supported nutrition services for older adults. Funded by the Older Americans Act, local senior nutrition programs serve as hubs for older adults (60 and older) to access nutritious meals and other vital services that strengthen social connections and promote health and well-being.
Senior nutrition is now more important than ever. Each year in the U.S., up to half of adults age 65 and older are at risk of malnutrition, and more than 10 million face hunger. In communities throughout the U.S. – including our own – older adults sometimes lack access to the high-quality, nutritious food they need to remain healthy and independent.
And it’s easy to understand why. In Charlottesville and our surrounding counties, 6.5% of adults 60 and older live in poverty and 4.6% receive food stamps or SNAP. What’s more, 26.6% live alone, 8.6% don't have a vehicle, and almost 30% have a disability. Any combination of these factors can make it difficult for older adults to get the proper nutrition they need.
For more than 50 years, senior nutrition services have helped create healthy, strong communities where all members can flourish regardless of age. That’s why we proudly recognize this anniversary of the national Senior Nutrition Program and its tremendous impact on the health and well-being of older adults in our community. Join us in celebrating our seniors, our programs, and our community!
Black History Month: Remembering Mary Washington
During Black History Month every year we get the opportunity to honor the legacy of Mary Washington, a nurse and advocate for seniors, and for whom our Mary Williams Community Senior Center is named.
Washington grew up in Charlottesville and wanted to be a nurse. Because she was Black she couldn’t attend school here to become one, so she had to move away to fulfill that ambition. When she returned with her degree she found that she had to leave town again because she couldn’t find a job here. After a successful career elsewhere, she retired and returned to Charlottesville, only to discover that many seniors, especially Black seniors, had no adequate place where they could gather, have lunch, and socialize. There was a senior center located at the Jefferson School, but the space was in such disrepair that the local Health Department had threatened to close it down. So Williams helped organize a protest downtown demanding that the City help provide a senior center, and with signs in hand she and her fellow seniors headed to a City Council meeting to voice their concerns.
“I could not attend school here to get a nursing degree, so I had to leave town,” Williams told Councilors. “When I returned as a nurse, I could not get a job because I was Black. I had to leave town again. Now, I’m back and don’t tell me I have to leave my town again to go to a senior center.”
In 2011, William’s granddaughter, Michele Gibson, joined former JABA CEO Gordon Walker at the opening exhibit for the new Jefferson School City Center, where he announced that JABA’s Charlottesville senior center located in the building would be named in honor of Williams.
“Mary and her colleagues in arms were women of dignity, pride and self-determination; virtues honed by an era of segregation, yet motivated at the time to seek a better future,” said Walker.
While JABA’s Mary Williams Community Senior Center is no longer located at the Jefferson School, having moved into a newly renovated space at JABA’s main offices on Hillsdale Drive, Williams’ legacy is still alive and well.
“Ms. Williams was a wonderful leader in advocating for the needs of seniors, both at the community level, and even within the center to expand activities of interest, something that continues today,” says current JABA CEO Marta Keane. “It is wonderful to honor another strong woman of color, who made such an impact on her community, in so many ways. We are glad that Mrs. Williams set her sights on helping create a space for seniors in Charlottesville, and we are glad to honor her by naming our Charlottesville/Central Albemarle Community Center for all her efforts and wisdom.”
Virginia House of Delegates to honor JABA CEO Marta Keane
JABA CEO Marta Keane
At an employee and volunteer gathering in early December, JABA Board Chair Dick Gibson presented JABA CEO Marta Keane, on her 10th anniversary as CEO, with a resolution expressing their appreciation for her contributions to JABA.
"Marta possesses the proper balance between passion for mission and sound business practices," the resolution read, "and she has brought incredible energy, compassion, knowledge, innovation, business acumen, team-building, goal-setting, and success to all facets of JABA."
JABA’s Board members aren’t the only ones who have noticed Keane's contributions. Virginia State Delegate Sally Hudson and State Senator Creigh Deeds recently brought forward a Joint House Resolution honoring Keane, which will be presented to her by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in Richmond on Thursday, February 23 at 10 AM.
Sen. Deeds visited JABA right before Christmas and toured their Mary Williams Community Senior Center, Shining Star Preschool, and Respite & Enrichment Center with JABA CEO Marta Keene. Deeds also learned about JABA Insurance Counseling program, which helps people sign up for Medicare and lower the cost of their plans. Center members also peppered the Senator with questions about the need for affordable senior housing and supports that allow seniors to stay in their homes.
“I was visiting with a group of seniors, an 88-year-old woman and a 90-year-old woman, and both kept me sweating with tough questions,” Sen. Deeds said. “ I really enjoyed my visit and learned so much.”
Del. Hudson is also familiar with the work that JABA does in the community and acknowledged the importance of Keane’s leadership.
"JABA is a cornerstone institution for our community -- for seniors, caregivers, and their families -- and we all have Marta to thank for leading its indispensable work," said Del. Hudson." Now as president of the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging she's sharing her leadership with peers statewide. It's a joy to join the JABA team in celebrating the 10th year of having Marta at the helm!"
“For the past ten years, Marta has provided exceptional leadership and innovation at the helm of JABA," added Sen. Deeds. "She has navigated some of the most challenging of times with determination and an unwavering commitment to serving the community. I wish to congratulate Marta on her ten years at JABA and thank her for her all of her work on behalf of seniors, adults with disabilities, and their families.”
Keane received a B.A. in psychology and sociology from the University of Virginia and a Masters of Education in Speech-Language Pathology from UVA. She also has a postgraduate certificate in Strategic Foresight from the University of Houston. Before joining JABA, she was a vice president of Encore Healthcare and was the president of the Strategies Group LLC.
John D'earth, UVA Jazz Ensemble, headline first Jazz Digs JABA concert
Charlottesville, Virginia - JABA is proud to announce that legendary trumpet player John D'earth, along with the UVA Jazz Ensemble and internationally acclaimed French pianist Damien Groleau, will be headlining our first Jazz Digs JABA concert on April 28, 2023, at Charlottesville's Paramount Theater on the Downtown Mall. Proceeds will go toward JABA programs and services.
John D'earth is long-known for his regular appearances on Thursday nights at Miller's on the Downtown Mall, featuring young musicians or bigger names passing through town, and has always been aware of music's larger impact on the health of the community. D'earth recently became a JABA Board member, and it didn't take long for him to come up with a creative way to show his support.
"JABA is such an effective, powerful organization that helps so many people," says D'earth. "When I discussed fundraising with the Board, I thought, how great would it be to get the UVA Jazz Ensemble at the Paramount to support JABA with special guests."
"We were extremely excited that John agreed to join JABA's Board," says JABA CEO Marta Keene. "Not only does he really understand the importance of our mission to help older adults, caregivers, and families navigate the challenges that come with age -- and how that impacts the community as a whole -- he's generously offered his talents to help make sure we can continue to do that work."
This special concert will include additional special guest performances, including the three tenor saxophone players (Charles Owens, J.C. Kuhl, and Colin Killalea), and will be hosted by Mistress of Ceremonies Terri Allard.
The concert takes place Friday, April 28, 2023, at 7 PM. The Paramount Theater, 215 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
Tickets: $35, $50, $125 VIP. Call the Paramount Box Office at 434-979-1333 or purchase online.
VIP TICKETS: A limited number of VIP tickets include a special reception catered by The C&O Restaurant and a meet and greet with John D'earth. VIP tickets are $125, and $50 of the price is tax deductible. Proceeds will go to JABA services and programs.
Friends of JABA: George Worthington and Cameron Mowat, Anthology, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Central Virginia, Atlantic Union Bank
Get your tickets today!
Musical guests from The Front Porch enrich the lives of seniors and preschoolers
Last November, The Front Porch, after receiving a grant from Twice Is Nice Upscale Resale Boutique, announced that they were launching an intergenerational music exploration program with the seniors and preschoolers at JABA. The Front Porch was already supporting our Shining Stars preschool with weekly music classes, but now our preschoolers and seniors are engaging in music experiences together!
On Friday, January 27, we heard classics like Hokey Pokey, You are My Sunshine, and Country Roads.
"We're absolutely LOVING these intergenerational musical moments and sing-alongs with our friends over at JABA in Charlottesville," The Front Porch posted on Facebook. "It's been emotional to see the preschoolers and senior members interact, dance, and sing along to old (and new) favorites."
Every other Friday, Front Porch artists will be going to JABA to provide this musical enrichment to a combined group of senior members and preschoolers. (photos courtesy of the Front Porch)
Senator Creigh Deeds pays visit to Jefferson Area Board for Aging
NBC29 - 25th District Senator Creigh Deeds paid a visit to the Jefferson Area Board for Aging in Albemarle County early Thursday, December 22.
Sen. Deeds says what they’re doing at JABA to mentally help people as they age is critical for quality of life. He spent Thursday morning touring the facility and learning about some of the services it offers.
“I learned about a really exciting program that they have assisting people from all walks of life to sign up for Medicare, which can be a complicated problem,” the senator said.
Deeds says when people age, they often find themselves sitting at home. JABA gives them an opportunity to find fellowship in a gathering space.
“I was visiting with a group of seniors, an 88-year-old woman and a 90-year-old woman, both kept me sweating with tough questions,” Sen. Deeds said.
They raised issues about a lack of affordable housing for seniors, asking the senator what can be done about it. He says he now feels he has background information on their needs which will help when establishing state budget amendments.
The senator visited the children’s room and said it is never too early to start speaking about mental health.
“The issues that were raised about mental health have more to do with the fact that there’s a stigma that prevents people from getting treatment and stigma that sometimes prevents people from understanding what’s going on with other folks, especially family members,” Deeds said.
Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds at JABA’s Mary Williams Community Senior Center