2023 Best Practices Awards
The Commonwealth Council on Aging sponsors the annual Best Practices Award Program to target organizations serving older Virginians and their families. The awards are given to innovative programs and services that assist older adults to age in the community. The Commonwealth Council on Aging aims to recognize creativity in services, such as livable communities, home and community-based supports, transportation, housing, caregiver supports, intergenerational programming, and more. The Council believes the door is wide open for creative best practices.
♦ The Commonwealth Council on Aging is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Best Practices Awards ♦
FIRST PLACE AWARD ($5,500): Mountain Empire Older Citizens (MEOC) for its METGo! Program
Launched in June 2021 by MEOC, METGo! has successfully implemented ride-hailing service in a rural area previously unserved by same-day transportation options. Becoming the “Uber” of public transit in southwestern Virginia, METGo! explores how ride-hailing technology improves service efficiency and rider experiences in rural areas. Initial funding for METGo! was provided through the Federal Transit Administration Integrated Mobility Innovation Demonstration Research Program Grant with oversight provided by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).
To learn more about METGo! contact: Michael Wampler, Executive Director, Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc., PO Box 888, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219, Phone: 276-523-4202, Email: mwampler@meoc.org, and Website: www.meoc.org
SECOND PLACE AWARD ($3,500): Joyful Voices Chorus
Joyful Voices Chorus is a community chorus for singers with Alzheimer’s or other dementias and their caregivers. At Joyful Voices, members sing together to stimulate the mind, energize the body, and elevate the spirit, defying dementia one song at a time
To learn more about Joyful Voices Chorus contact: Joanne Sherman, Artistic Director, 13621 W. Salisbury Rd., Midlothian, VA 23113, Phone: 804-794-5311 x128, Email: joyfulvoicessherman@gmail.com, and Website: www.JoyfulVoicesChorus.org
THIRD PLACE AWARD ($2,500): The Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) for its Live Active, Live Healthy, Live Modern Senior Retreat (“LIVE”)
DBVI’s LIVE Program is a one-week retreat for older adults experiencing vision loss affecting their ability to read, get around independently, take care of their home, and enjoy hobbies. Instruction and services are provided to participants in the areas of coping with vision loss, daily living skills, independent travel skills, access technology skills, diabetes education, nutritional consultation, and recreational/wellness activities.
To learn more about the LIVE Program contact: Brooke H. Rogers, Assistant Director for Administration, Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired/Virginia Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired, 401 Azalea Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227, Phone: 804-371-3323, Email: Brooke.Rogers@dbvi.virginia.gov, and Website: https://www.vrcbvi.virginia.gov/
To learn more about the winning and honorable mention programs and how to contact them, click here.
To read the 2023 awards press release, click here.