~ On Friday, October 4th, Age Strong kicked off its 2024 Senior Civic Academy with a successful first session. The event, which was attended by 25 older adults from various neighborhoods in Boston, aimed to educate and empower seniors on how to engage with government and make a positive impact in their communities.

The six-week program is specifically designed for adults aged 55 and above who are interested in learning more about the functions of city, state, and federal government. It also provides training on how to effectively advocate for issues that are important to them and use their voices to bring about change for themselves and others.

During the first session, participants were given the opportunity to introduce themselves and share their backgrounds. They also expressed their desire to gain the necessary skills to become effective advocates for issues that matter to them. Despite coming from diverse backgrounds and living in different parts of Boston, the group was united in their goal of promoting positive change for their families, neighbors, and the city's older adult population.

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The session featured several guest speakers who provided valuable insights on advocacy campaigns. Lisa Conley and Tasha Harris from Boston's Human Services cabinet discussed the steps involved in building an effective campaign. Carolyn Villers, Executive Director of Mass Senior Action, shared the organization's history of advocating for older adults. Jessica Costantino, Director of Advocacy at AARP Massachusetts, spoke about some of AARP's ongoing advocacy campaigns. Lastly, An Le from Boston's Equity and Inclusion Cabinet gave a presentation on the city's efforts towards promoting equity and inclusion in its activities and initiatives.

The first session was deemed a success by both organizers and participants alike. The Age Strong team encourages everyone to follow their blog for updates on future sessions. With such a strong start, it is clear that the 2024 Senior Civic Academy will have a significant impact on empowering older adults in Boston to become active members of their communities.

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