Aging in the Heartland: Challenges and Opportunities in Northwest Minnesota

The nonpartisan League of Women Voters Park Rapids Area (LWVPRA) invites the public to a meeting on Wednesday, November 19th featuring a presentation on key health and wellness concerns facing Hubbard County residents. The program will start at 6 pm in the Community Room of the Northwoods Bank at the corner of HWY 34 and Cty RD 6. (Refreshments will be available)

  

D'Anne Johnson, the  Senior Program Manager for Community Health & Wellness at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF), will be our main speaker.  Her primary focus is on strengthening elder care and supporting the well-being of older adults across the region. Ms. Johnson works with local organizations, service providers, and policymakers to address the evolving needs of the aging population. Her goal is to develop innovative and sustainable approaches that allow older residents to age with dignity, connection, and independence in their communities.

She will share the findings from her work identifying priority concerns and issues in the Northwest region and will be discussing potential solutions. This is a vital opportunity for local residents to hear about continuing challenges and help shape the priorities for local projects here in the Park Rapids area. She will explore how resources like the Park Rapids Community Fund or other programs offered through the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) could be used to strengthen community support for vulnerable populations.

Adding to the discussion, Connie Carmichael, Director of the Living at Home program, will provide an update on the progress of the consolidated Senior Center. She will highlight how its programs are essential in offering continuous support and resources to our senior citizens.

The LWVPRA requests support for our local Hubbard County food shelf. The public is kindly asked to bring a donation for the collection basket. While food items are always welcome, monetary donations are often the most flexible and efficient way for the food shelf to purchase the specific items they need most.   

Please contact the LWV PRA at lwvparkrapids@lwvmn.org with any questions about this program or for information about joining your local league.