Senior Neighbors

This year's 16 Over 60 Awards Gala was truly a night to remember ? ? Thank you to everyone that joined us and helped to celebrate the inspiring impact that our 2024 honorees have had on our community. They all serve as an example of the vitality that can flourish with age and experience. Congratulations honorees! ? We could not have pulled off this event without the help of our wonderful sponsors. Thank you to all of our sponsors for helping to support our mission of enhancing the lives of older adults. ? Interested in supporting our mission yourself? Find information here: seniorneighbors.org/give #MeijerGardens #16Over60 #EngagedandInspiring #SeniorNeighbors #CommunitySuperheros

This year's 16 Over 60 Awards Gala would not be possible without the help of our amazing event sponsors! ? Thank you for supporting our mission - you are a key part in ensuring that the seniors of Kent County live vibrant and independent lives. ? We will see you all this Wednesday, November 20 at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park??? ? #16Over60 #SeniorNeighbors #SponsorHighlight #KentCounty

Please join us in congratulating Leroy Reed, one of this year's 16 Over 60 Honorees! Leroy Reed Sr. is a youth mentor, recovery advocate, and longtime servant of his community who continues to inspire all those around him with his compassion and faith. He has been a member of Messiah Baptist Church of Grand Rapids for 34 years, where he has been an active volunteer with the Hospitality Ministry, Men’s Ministry, and Media Ministries, the African American Male Conference, and other committees and community programs. He has also achieved 35 years of continuous involvement with the 12 Step Program of Addiction and Recovery, using his own past experiences to help others achieve what he calls “the gift of serenity and peace of mind from addictive lifestyles.” Leroy has also spent 32 years serving as a mentor for local youth through the Amachi Program of Kent County in collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Through his volunteer efforts, Leroy continues to shine as a role model and helping hand in communities across Kent County. We cannot wait to celebrate Leroy and the other inspiring honorees November 20 at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park! See you there? #OneWeekAway #YouthMentor #16Over60 #KentCounty

Today is the LAST DAY to register for the 7th Annual 16 Over 60 Awards Gala! On the fence and want to learn more about the event? Watch our recent segment on the AARP Michigan "Real Possibilities" show hosted by Jennifer Feuerstein: https://bit.ly/4hL2q1q ?? We cannot wait to see you on November 20! #16Over60 #AARPMichigan #WoodTV8 #MeijerGardens

After almost a quarter century with Senior Neighbors, we are honored to celebrate our Program Coordinator Lisa Bishop's retirement! ? Lisa has been nothing but devoted to our mission throughout the last 24 years and has been a pivotal part of the organization's growth. She was always a friend to all, and her kindness towards others never went unnoticed. ? While we're sad to see her go, we cannot wait for her to thrive in this next chapter of her life. We will miss you, Lisa! ??

Please join us in congratulating Laura Hoekstra, one of this year's 16 Over 60 Honorees! Laura Hoekstra (she/her) is a companion and knowledge sharer who has served as a pillar of her community in many capacities. After retiring from a career that she felt did not fit her heart and life goals, she founded Grace in the Leaving End-of-Life Doula Services, where she serves community members facing life-limiting illness, grief, and loss. Laura is also a certified grief counselor, advance care planning facilitator, and SAGE-certified LGBTQ+ informed care provider, allowing her to provide specialized non-medical emotional, physical, and spiritual support for those who need it most. In addition, Laura applies her skills and compassion as a volunteer Victim Advocate with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and as a hospice volunteer, providing critical “grief triage,” companionship, and support to local families in crisis. Outside of her work as an end-of-life doula, she leads classes and book discussions at her church, using her kind spirit and dedication to social justice to help others understand and dismantle systemic racism. Laura believes that active learning is essential at any age, and she hopes to inspire others to see retirement as a “blank sheet of paper” with endless possibilities. Don't wait to get your tickets?? Reserve your spot today! https://bit.ly/4egml6f #2WeeksAway #KentCounty #MeijerGardens #GraceintheLeaving

Fall Festivities are in full swing at the Senior Neighbors - Walker Center! ?? ?? ?? Members spent time this October visiting Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery, painting pumpkins, and handing out candy at Trunk-or-Treats. ? See what events are happening at all of our Senior Centers by tuning into our November Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3CowkbA #KentCounty #Walker #Fall2024 #SeniorNeighbors

Please join us in congratulating Jane Ungrey, one of this year’s 16 Over 60 Award recipients!? ? Jane is a tutor and creative community helper who spends her retirement as a “professional volunteer,” dedicating her life to making a positive difference. She volunteers her time sewing for the costume shop at Civic Theater, working sometimes up to 30 hours a week to contribute to almost every production for the past 13 years. She also leads Martha’s Guild at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, which handmakes items for St. Gianna’s Store and the HELP Pregnancy Crisis Clinic. She is deeply involved with the church in other ways as well—Jane volunteers weekly to sort bread for food distribution with the St. Vincent DePaul Society, where she also supports financial and housing assistance for community members. In addition, Jane serves on the board of the Friends of Walker Library Group as recording secretary, and is an active supporter of library events, fundraisers, and staff appreciation year-round. She even incorporates her love of reading into her community engagement, recently becoming a 3rd grade reading tutor at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School??. Jane is a shining example of her motto, “Make a Living, Make a Life, Make a Contribution." ? Kick off this month by getting tickets to the Gala on?November 20: https://bit.ly/4egml6f? ? #16Over60 #MeijerGardens #SeniorNeighbors #KentCounty ?

Happy Halloween from our spooky staff to you ???? ? From office costumes to handing out goodies at Trunk-or-Treats, the day has already been filled with frightful fun! May your night be safe and filled with lots of candy! ? #SNStaff #KentCounty #Halloween24

Join us in celebrating Randy Hoekstra, one of this year's 16 Over 60 Honorees! Randy is a tech leader, equity advocate, and disaster relief specialist who uses his passion for faith, art, and justice to improve the lives of those around him. ?? Randy is currently a production consultant with the Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids, where he uses his 35 years of experience as a production manager to guide leadership and promote exposure to the arts. In addition, he is an active volunteer with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Kids' Food Basket, the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team, and Disaster Services Technology, where he installs essential IT equipment and teaches others how to use it.?He also uses his knowledge of technology to manage the A/V team at Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church, organizing and training volunteers and even restructuring to continue the church’s ministry during the pandemic. Randy’s faith and kindness extend to his work as a Tester with Fair Housing Center of West Michigan, where he participates in apartment showings, open houses, and other experiences to ensure that all community members have equal access to local housing. Randy plans to keep serving his community through his many volunteer roles and hopes to inspire other seniors to “continue or increase your community involvement, experiment, and find the activity that you enjoy.” This year's Gala is just around the corner... get your tickets here today! https://bit.ly/4egml6f #16Over60 #MeijerGardens #SeniorNeighbors #TechLeader