Newtown Senior Center will host a special program this week meant to help resident senior citizens be and feel safer within their community.

NSC Triad's Shades of Purple will be offered Friday, September 29, from 1 to 4 pm, at the senior center, 14 Riverside Road. The Triad is a coalition of businesses, police officers, senior citizens and volunteers working together to make the community safe for its older residents.

In 2003 Newtown became the 11th town within the state to partake in a collaboration with local law enforcement to create a safe community.

Afternoon classes at the senior center will be canceled on Friday due to the three hour event.

The subjects of elder abuse, bullying, and dementia will also be covered during the symposium. Each guest speaker will discuss one of the seven forms of abuse, for no more than ten minutes each.

The guest speakers slated for Friday afternoon at Marilyn Place, director of Newtown Senior Services; Esma Ajruli, representative, State of Connecticut Department of Social Services; Liz Cain, representative, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps; Jennifer Crane, director, Newtown Center of Support and Wellness; Donna Culbert, director of health, Newtown Health District; Angela DeLeon, People's United Bank State Coordinator of CT Triad; Arthur Gottlieb, LSCW; Ann LoBosco, director, Newtown Social Services; Newtown Police Officer Maryhelen McCarthy; and Newtown Police Captain Christopher Vanghele, FCTOA; Maureen Will, director, Town of Newtown Emergency Communications Center.

The program will cover some heavy subjects, but organizers believe all of the subjects are needed. Everyone can help protect the senior population from the seven forms of abuse: physical, mental, emotional, neglect, abandonment, financial, and exploitation.

In addition to all of the information, there will be light refreshments. Reservations are requested and can be done by calling Newtown Senior Center at 203-270-4310.

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