Meet Judy Lewis: Coordinator For Older Adult Coalition

In March the LGBT Older Adult Coalition announced Judy Lewis as coordinator for the Coalition. Lewis has served the LGBT community in metro Detroit in a variety of roles - as administrator, organizer and coordinator of informative events, conferences and curricula. Through her work as executive director of the Jewish Gay Network of Michigan (JGN), Lewis brought communities of faith together with LGBT organizations to create healthy, working dialogues. She has continued that commitment to communication and diversity, being instrumental in the formation of the Affirmations Faith Alliance.
"Judy is a passionate advocate, a dedicated educator, and a tremendous asset to the cause of LGBT equality in our communities," said Jay Kaplan, member of the LGBT Older Adult Coalition and ACLU of Michigan LGBT staff attorney. "We're looking forward to the progress this collaboration will bring to the thoughtful care of our elders."
Lewis serves as liaison between the Coalition and Gay Elders of Southeast Michigan (GESM) and coordinates trainings for health professionals to ensure LGBT cultural competence. She will also assist with plans for an annual summit focusing on LGBT Older Adult Issues.
Her dedication to working with the LGBT elder community has already had a sizable local impact, bringing together individuals and organizations to form the LGBT Older Adult Coalition as well as the (GESEM).
This is a new position for the Coalition and was made possible by a grant from the HOPE Fund of the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan. The ACLU of Michigan serves as fiduciary for the grant.