1. MCC Seniors Program ISNA 2014

2. Who We Are  The Muslim Community Center (MCC) Seniors Program launched in April 2011, as a multi- ethnic, multi-cultural, intergenerational program serving persons aged 50+  Offer social, educational, recreational, nutritional, and spiritual support  Receives no funding; it is completely volunteer-based, conducted by, for, and with seniors and their family members

3. Building Blocks  Our Seniors  Building Partnerships  Education Outreach  Provide Services  Develop Resources

4. Our Seniors  The majority of our seniors are first-generation immigrants representing more than 57 countries of origin  Many members of our community are unfamiliar with aging issues of concern  Seniors are unaware of available aging- related services and resources, and unable to access the service delivery system

5. Building Partnerships To identify, coordinate, and maximize resources for our senior community, we work in partnership with:  MCC  MCC Medical Clinic  The Muslim community  The County’s interfaith community  Public and private agencies/organizations

6. Building Partnerships Our greatest gratitude for the support of the County’s leadership:  The Commission on Aging  Health and Human Services, especially Aging and Disability Services  Office of Community Partnership  Office of Minority Health  The Leadership Institute on Equity and Ending Disparities

7. “Healthy Aging: A Celebration of Life” The Program’s Third Anniversary (May 2014)

8. Education Outreach To educate members of our community regarding:  Aging issues of concern to seniors  Available resources  How and where to access available resources We conduct a continuous education outreach campaign.  Ex. Translating and disseminating through our partners the resources: 311 number for countywide services; and the 240-777-3000 number for aging and disability services

9. Education Outreach  15 Senior Ambassadors recruited and trained to reflect the diversity of our senior community to reach out to the isolated, sick, and most in need  15 Young Ambassadors recruited with various skills including social media and other technical expertise

10. Services Provided In collaboration with our partners, our outreach focus is on a holistic approach:  Health promotion  Disease prevention  Behavioral health

11. Services Provided  MCC Seniors Program Outreach Committee established, with our partners, linking seniors and families in need with emergency food, shelter, funds, mental health, and spiritual support  MCC Seniors Program Food Pantry established to respond to the existing identified need of our senior community  Preparing to Launch the MCC Seniors Program Healthy Aging Initiative to respond to our seniors needs for a healthier lifestyle

12. Program Activities Dr. Hamed on Islamic Gardens and Architecture (Jan 2014) MCC Imam Sh. Mohamed Abdullahi

13. Food Pantry Volunteers (October 2013)

14. Targeted Communities  As a first step, we are targeting communities with the highest concentration of diverse senior populations in Montgomery County, Maryland: White Oak, Aspen Hill, Takoma Park, Burtonsville, and Gaithersburg  While our efforts focus on improving on the quality of lives of seniors in our targeted communities, in time, we hope to impact the entire county

15. Developed Resources  Comprehensive Resource Guide (on our website)  MCC Seniors’ Program Web Page: http://mccmd.org/mccseniors http://mccmd.org/mccseniors  Social Media/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MCCSeniorProgram https://www.facebook.com/MCCSeniorProgram

16. MCC Seniors Program: Website Clips

17. MCC Seniors Program: Facebook

18. Questions?