The Commission on Aging (COA) unanimously voted to donate $2,500 to support the C.H. Booth Library Ageism workshop series during its Monday, November 18 meeting.

The COA invited Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS) President John Boccuzzi Sr to their last meeting to speak on the negative impacts ageism has on seniors’ mental, physical, and emotional health. Ageism is defined as prejudice or discrimination towards others based on their age, and can impact any age group.

Boccuzzi Sr emphasized the negative effect ageism has on seniors and their relationship with the aging process. To that end, he on behalf of FONS proposed a series of educational workshops that build positive attitudes and beliefs towards aging in the community. The workshops would be held throughout 2025 and be open to the general public.

Now revisiting the topic, COA members listened to a statement read by COA Chair Anne Rothstein on what the effort is concretely planning for next year. The statement, written by local writer and part-time C.H. Booth Library employee Andrea Zimmermann and edited by Boccuzzi Sr, explained the goal is to initiate a town-wide read to encourage ageism awareness and foster support for people of all ages.

The town-wide read would be on the book Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It by Tracey Gendron, and would include library programs, panel presentations, book discussion groups, and other events in town. It would culminate with an author talk on September 18, 2025, at Edmond Town Hall. They also selected the children’s book A Kids Book About Ageism by the CT Age Well Collaborative as a companion read.

FONS has worked to approach several sponsors, including COA, to fund different aspects of the series. They specifically asked COA to cover expenses for the author visit, such as transportation, hotel, and meal fees.

Rothstein agreed to personally match the COA’s donation of $2,500, making for a total contribution of $5,000 to-date toward the series between her and the commission.

“I think [ageism] is a real issue in Newtown, in Connecticut, and in the United States as a whole,” Rothstein said. “I think most people assume they don’t have assumptions about what people are capable of and just treat them according to their beliefs, rather than what the person can actually do.”

COA member Michael Stern also delivered a presentation to the rest of the commission focused on social services organization United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut. The organization focuses on addressing the critical needs of Connecticut residents and advancing equitable pathways for their well-being and financial security.

Stern, who has a position on the United Way board, had recommended Human Services Director Natalie Griffith to the United Way Community Council earlier this year. Griffith thanked Stern for the opportunity at the meeting and said that being a member has been an “incredibly valuable experience.”

“It’s been incredibly eye-opening to learn more about United Way and how far it’s come, and I just thought it’d be helpful for this group to know more about them because they do a lot for our community,” Griffith said.

Stern delivered an overview of United Way’s recent strategic planning and initiatives on creating long-lasting change throughout coastal and western Connecticut. These initiatives include advocating for policies to better economic opportunities, working with community partners to spark change locally, and expanding programs to provide immediate support to ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households.

Rothstein encouraged COA members to provide feedback on the presentation, and the group discussed how the town could work with United Way moving forward to support Newtown residents.

Director Reports

Human Services Director Natalie Griffith shared that the holiday season is the busiest time of year for Human Services, as they are busy providing residents with energy assistance and other programs. This year, Human Services is once again partnering with Women Involved in Newtown (WIN) to not only provide residents with Thanksgiving dinner, but also to provide groceries and keep their kitchens stocked through the holidays.

By the time of the meeting, 56 families had registered, with Griffith saying they are on track to support 80 households much like they did last year. Griffith added that they have some single seniors where getting a full turkey “wouldn’t make the most sense.”

“Some people might not want to cook and eat a whole turkey by themselves, or they may be going to loved ones for Thanksgiving instead,” Griffith explained.

She said they have tried to be a little creative in those cases and — depending on their specific situation — will give a gift card to the diner or pair them with a Thanksgiving meal. Those were provided to residents on the day before Thanksgiving.

The Newtown Fund is also partnering with Human Services for its annual Holiday Basket Program, which provides baskets with gifts, food, and other necessities for local residents in need.

Griffith said that they serve a “significant amount” of their senior residents through the program, and that 57 households have already registered for the program this year. She added that they supported 96 households last year and are “on track” to reach that number once again.

Griffith also encouraged everyone to support the Salvation Army bell ringers. They will be set up at various locations across town on the weekends of December 13-14 and December 20-21, with 90% of all donations raised going directly to help Newtown residents. These funds are then released from Human Services to provide energy assistance throughout the year, according to Griffith.

“So it’s our biggest source of funding we have to help people with emergency needs and heating costs,” Griffith continued. “We certainly appreciate everyone who gives up an hour of their time to stand out there and ring the bell. It’s so important.”

Griffith ended her report by congratulating Newtown resident Beverly Bennett-Schaedler, who was awarded with AARP’s prestigious Andrus Award for Community Service. The award honors trailblazers, advocacy, and volunteerism, and recognizes the outstanding achievement of one volunteer in each state, according to Griffith.

A press release from AARP stated that Bennett-Schaedler is receiving the Andrus Award “in recognition of the significant impact her leadership and contributions on multiple [FONS] initiatives has provided to the Newtown senior community.”

Griffith described Bennett-Schaedler as the force behind FONS’s Chore Services program, as well as their newest initiative Newtown Rides.

“I’ve said over and over again how much we rely on the work [Chore Services] does to help people, so I’m just so happy she’s being recognized for all her work behind the scenes and that she’s being honored in this way,” Griffith said. “If you see her, please tell her congratulations.”

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.