SENIOR TESTIMONIAL                                           

Secretary to the Council, Doris Martin recalls how she became involved. “A few years ago, I was approached by the President of the Home Owner’s Association while I was representing the Senior Auxiliary at one of the Association meetings. The President asked if I would be interested in attending an upcoming Senior Advisory Board meeting.  I agreed and am still an active member today.”

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Martin shared there were approximately thirteen people from different community area organizations in attendance at her first

Senior Advisory Board meeting.  We discussed community outreach to the seniors near the 9th Ward and how we could meet their needs.  Strategies for safer neighborhoods and transportation often topped the list along with finding reliable resources to help get grass cut or snow shoveled were common discussions. 

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Since then, Ms. Martin attends monthly meetings regularly and enjoys engaging in lively discussions and says, “It’s okay to agree to disagree sometimes.”  She thinks that members of the Advisory Board all want the same outcomes.  We want to solve our problems and know that in order to solve them we must first find out the best source to handle our needs.  The Alderman’s office helps as best they can yet often we have discovered it is necessary for us to dig deeper into the community resources of the police department, block clubs or other community organizations.  One ongoing hope is to find a way to get young people to be more respectful of the elderly as well as willing to lend a helping hand. 

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Martin said, “One of the best experiences was when we held the Seniors Fair in October 2011 at Palmer Park Fieldhouse.  The feedback we received from the large group of seniors (approx. 200) that attended was wonderful!  The vendors said it was one of the largest groups of senior fair attendees ever!! 

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The work of the Senior Advisory Board is so valuable.  We are committed to being a viable and reliable resource in the 9th Ward and remain vigilant in educating seniors about the importance of voting.  We want our seniors to understand not only the process but to also be familiar with candidate platforms, polling places and transportation arrangements.

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All and all, the Senior Advisory Board is essential to the continual growth and development of the 9th Ward.  We are “Savvy Seniors”and the crowned jewels of the community.

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