Advocates for Senior Issues

06/08/2026

It's the final Advocates for Senior Issues meeting before Summer break!

Please join us at Kids Food Basket on Friday, June 12! The meeting will begin at 10:00 am, and there will be a guided tour from Kids' Food Basket CEO Bridget Clark Whitney, beginning at 9:30 am.

Representative Hillary Scholten will be joining us to answer questions from the group. Following, guest speakers Dr. Arianna Colini Baldeschi and Dr. Nathaniel Buteyn from the Van Andel Institute will be teaching us about current developments in the medical and related health field(s).

We invite you to join us as we listen, learn, advocate, and grow together! This will be the last meeting until we kick off again in September. For more information on AFSI, please visit www.aaawm.org/asfi.

05/08/2026

We invite you to join us at our next Advocates for Senior Issues (AFSI) meeting!

State Senator and Majority Leader Winnie Brinks will be taking time to answer questions from the group. And, Dr. Gregory Sumner, guest speaker, educator, and author, will also be joining us to teach us about the history of Prisoner-of-War Camps in Michigan during WWII.

Our meeting will be held at the Salvation Army Kroc Center and will begin at 10:00 am. There will be coffee and a breakfast spread, so please arrive early! For more information, visit www.aaawm.org/afsi.

04/30/2026

A great opportunity to advocate in Lansing, and there is still room on the bus! Visit www.aaawm.org/omd to save your spot now!

Join us for Older Michiganians Day!

Ride with us to Lansing and help advocate for older adults and caregivers across Michigan.

Wednesday, May 13th
Departing from AAAWM (Grand Rapids)
Bus leaves at 8:00 AM (arrive by 7:45 am!)

- Rally at the Capitol
- Connect with others who care about aging services
- Make your voice heard

Spots are limited and fill quickly, so don’t wait!
Register now: aaawm.org/omd

Please dress for the weather and bring only what you can easily carry. The event takes place outdoors.

04/15/2026

Our next Advocates for Senior Issues (AFSI) meeting is this Friday, April 17th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm!

We will be joined by State Senator Thomas Albert, who will answer questions from the audience, and Program Presenter Dr. Ian Smith, who will teach us about emerging contaminants in Michigan.

It's going to be an advocacy-filled morning! Please join us at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, and don't forget to bring a friend!

04/09/2026

Join us for Older Michiganians Day!

Ride with us to Lansing and help advocate for older adults and caregivers across Michigan.

Wednesday, May 13th
Departing from AAAWM (Grand Rapids)
Bus leaves at 8:00 am (arrive by 7:45 AM!)

- Rally at the Capitol
- Connect with others who care about aging services
- Make your voice heard

Spots are limited and fill quickly, so don’t wait!

Register now: aaawm.org/omd.

Please dress for the weather and bring only what you can easily carry. The event takes place outdoors.

03/18/2026

Join us at the Salvation Army Kroc Center for our March meeting, taking place this Friday, March 20th! We'll have a breakfast spread available for all members to enjoy as we are joined by two guest speakers: State Representative Gina Johnsen and Chief Nursing Officer at Southridge Behavioral Hospital, Susan Burchardt.

State Representative Gina Johnsen will start off by answering questions from our audience regarding seniors' advocacy priorities and concerns. Following, Susie Burchardt will explain the services available for mental health patients and take questions from the group. Please join us for an advocacy-filled morning!

02/17/2026

Come join us at the next Advocates for Senior Issues (AFSI) meeting!

State Representative Carol Glanville will be in attendance to answer questions from the group. And, guest speaker and educator Sophia Ward Brewer will also be joining us to teach us about the history of African American women's clubs in Grand Rapids during the Progressive Era.

We will be holding our meeting at the Salvation Army Kroc Center at 10:00 am. There will be coffee and snacks, so arrive early! For more information, visit www.aaawm.org/afsi.

01/13/2026

Our first Advocates for Senior Issues meeting of 2026 is this Friday, January 16th. Don't miss it!

We will be joined by State Senator Mark Huizenga, who will be answering questions from the advocates, and Program Presenter Jordan Green, who will be teaching us about Rank Choice Voting.

Join us at the Salvation Army Kroc Center at 10:00 am for a morning filled with advocacy and learning. See you there!

11/17/2025

Reminder! Our next AFSI Meeting is this Friday, November 21st, at 10:00 am. We will be joined by Kent County Administrator Alan Vanderberg and Jennifer Feuerstein-DiVita, Associate State Director of AARP MI & On-Air Personality at ABC4/WOOD TV.

Join us for lively conversation, discussion, and learning! And, don't forget to bring nonperishable food items for our food drive! For more details, download the November AFSI Packet at www.aaawm.org/afsi.

10/21/2025

Last week, as a part of Advocates for Senior Issues (AFSI), we had the privilege to hear from State Representative John Fitzgerald on issues affecting seniors in West Michigan. Additionally, from baseball historian William Anderson, we learned the history of baseball in Michigan, from the Grand Rapids Chicks to the Detroit Tigers.

You can be a part of the conversation & join us as an advocate! As a part of AFSI, you'll have the opportunity to listen and learn from others, advocate together, and be a strong voice for seniors. Join us & become a member at www.aaawm.org/afsi.