SOUTHFIELD – SAGE of Metro Detroit was presented with The Volunteer/Community Leadership Award by the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) at its Annual Community Meeting being held at Lyon Oaks Golf & Banquet Center in Wixom on Friday, May 13. The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is a nonprofit agency responsible for services to more than 640,000 persons aged 60 and older residing in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties. Through the provision of home care and community-based services, older adults and persons with disabilities are given options that can help maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities.
SAGE of Metro Detroit, which grew out of the LGBT Older Coalition, is being credited with support of key initiatives and resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Their efforts have helped build awareness and promote change so that LGBT senior adults may live and age with dignity and authenticity.
"SAGE has helped communicate and educate on important issues about the LGBT community in an effort to help foster greater awareness and understanding," said AAA 1-B CEO Tina Abbate Marzolf.
In addition to this award, two community leaders and four other service organizations were recognized for their outstanding efforts.
"The responsibility of ensuring the continued support and well-being of area seniors and adults with disabilities takes many individuals and groups," said Marzolf. "It's important that we recognize their contributions."
The other honorees include:
Floreine Mentel
Sandra K. Reminga Lifetime Achievement Award
Floreine Mentel, longtime AAA 1-B Board/Advisory Council Member, will be recognized for her support of key initiatives that benefit older adults in southeast Michigan.
Kari Sederburg
Public Service Leadership Award
Kari Sederburg will be acknowledged for her commitment to the enhancement of the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities and family caregivers as senior program officer at the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. She was the former executive director of Michigan Aging & Adult Services Agency.
The Chaldean American Ladies of Charity
Service Provider Leadership Award
The Chaldean American Ladies of Charity are being recognized for helping to enhance the quality of life of older adult immigrants, reducing social isolation and supporting local programs.
Critical Signal Technology
Innovations Leadership Award
Critical Signal Technology will receive this award for their support of SameAddress, a social enterprise program of the AAA 1-B.
Macomb Community Action and Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw
Blue Ribbon Outcomes Award
These two organizations will receive recognition for greatly improving the quality of life of older adults, while also making good use of the investment of public funds.
