ATLANTA – Department of Human Services Commissioner Robyn A. Crittenden announced today the winners of a statewide competition aimed at encouraging Georgians to share innovative ways to support and engage adults who are older or have disabilities.

Five faith-based and civic organizations won a pair of tickets to the state’s 2017 ADRC Healthy Communities Summit being held this week in Augusta. The winners are Brighter Day International Ministries (Valdosta), Center Point (Gainesville), Chess for a Cause (Alpharetta), Christian City (Union City) and Hart Interdenominational Ministry (Hartwell).

“Congratulations to our competition winners and thank you to everyone who shared their plans on how they can make each of their communities age-friendly,” said Abby Cox, director of the Division of Aging Services. “I am looking forward to meeting all of our winners this week at the 2017 ADRC Healthy Communities Summit where we can continue to collaborate together on ways to support independence, dignity and wellness for older adults and people with disabilities.”

About the Statewide Competition

The Division of Aging Services invited faith and civic groups of all sizes to answer the following question online: “What will your organization do within the next 12 months to make your congregation or neighborhood more age-friendly?”

All five winners received a pair of ADRC Healthy Communities Summit tickets valued at $250 each. Travel to and from the conference is not included. Ten runners up received a hard copy of the book No Surprises: Harmonizing Risk and Reward in Volunteer Management, developed by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. 

All participating organizations received a free subscription to Georgia Interfaith Aging Action, a quarterly guide filled with DAS program news, resource links and volunteer ideas for every organization.

About the ADRC Healthy Communities Summit

The 2017 Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) Healthy Communities Summit is being held June 7-9 in Augusta. The summit will feature informational sessions on assistive technology, nutrition, therapeutic play, Medicare, housing, transportation, mental health, abuse prevention, caregiving, and other topics that affect quality of life.

Georgia’s ADRC, the Aging and Disability Resource Connection, is a statewide network of counselors trained to link Georgians to information and services that promote independence. It is administered through the Division of Aging Services and 12 Area Agencies on Aging.

To learn more about Georgia’s ADRC, visit www.GeorgiaADRC.com or call the Division of Aging Services at 866-552-4464. For program and service descriptions, free publications, volunteer opportunities and more, visit www.aging.ga.gov.