Memory Café Coming to Anne Arundel County

A partnership between Anne Arundel County’s Department of Aging and Disabilities and the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Maryland will bring the Memory Café, an early-stage social engagement program, to the Pascal Senior Activity Center beginning in March.

The Memory Café is a safe and relaxed place where people with early-stage memory loss, their care partners, and health and social care professionals can come together for a blend of education, socialization and light refreshments. It is a forum where people can share and talk about various experiences, and anyone affected by early-stage dementia may attend.

The Memory Café will meet on the third Monday of each month, beginning on March 16, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Space is limited, so participants must RSVP by Wednesday, March 11. The Pascal Senior Activity Center is located at 125 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie.

Café sponsors for 2015 include: Annapolitan Assisted Living Community, Future Care Chesapeake, Home Instead Senior Care, Brightview Severna Park, Assisted Living Well, Health and Mobility, A Homemade Plan, Senior Helpers of Annapolis, Somerford Place of Annapolis, and Chesapeake Elder Law LLC.

For more information or to register for the Memory Café, contact Yolanda Wright, early stage/support group coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Maryland Chapter, at 410-561-9099, ext. 208.

Anyone needing special accommodations must contact Mary Chaput at 410-222-4464, ext. 3045, or by e-mail at [email protected] at least seven days in advance of the event. TTY users, call via Maryland Relay 7-1-1. All materials are available in an alternative format upon request.

Foster Grandparent Program Seeks Volunteers

The Foster Grandparent Program at the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities seeks new volunteers for 2015. Foster Grandparent Program volunteers dedicate 20–40 hours each week, offering emotional support to child victims of abuse and neglect, tutoring children who lag behind in reading and counting, mentoring troubled teenagers and young mothers, and caring for premature infants and children with physical disabilities and severe illnesses.

Foster Grandparent Program volunteers work with children at public schools, Head Start centers, Department of Social Services Family Support Centers, and Boys and Girls Clubs within Anne Arundel County.

Besides having an ability to love children, Foster Grandparent volunteers must be 55 years of age, pass a physical exam and background check and receive an annual income of less than $22,980 (single person) or $31,020 (household) from Social Security, supplemental security income, pensions, etc.

In return, Foster Grandparent volunteers receive an hourly stipend, a free physical examination upon entering the program, free transportation to their work sites (or mileage reimbursement), paid monthly trainings and workshops, and invitations to social and recognition events.

For more information, contact the Foster Grandparent Program at 410-222-4464. TTY users may call via Maryland Relay 7-1-1. All materials are available in an alternative format upon request.

Bright Minds Foundation Grant Awards Support Innovative Classroom Projects

Fifteen Howard County public school teachers and staff will receive funding for innovative instructional projects this year through $25,324 in grants provided by the Bright Minds Foundation.

Bright Minds is an independent, nonprofit foundation that enhances educational opportunities for Howard County public school students through support for equity, innovation and lifelong learning. Each year, the foundation awards grants ranging from $500–$2,000 to teachers and staff for projects that build students’ skills in categories that include health and wellness; financial, economic, business and entrepreneurship; fine arts; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); information and communications technology; and global and civic awareness.

The grant awards will be formally presented at the Howard County Board of Education meeting scheduled for Feb. 26, 2015. Full details and a list of the grant awards are available at http://brightmindsfoundation.org/history.php.