It was a bittersweet end with the last learning community meeting of the year. In celebration of Careers in Aging Week, members created and presented posters on a topic of their choosing within aging. Posters and presentations were judged and prizes were awarded. The meeting ended with discussing the 12 Grand Challenges for Social Work put forth by the American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. Members looked at ways aging intersects with each challenge and where gerontological social workers can fit to work on eliminating these challenges. 

Student members would like to thank Dr. Tam Perry for leading the learning community for the past two years. Dr. Perry's leadership has inspired us to critically think about aging issues, continue to engage in gerontological work, and meaningfully integrate our gerontology course work, networking, research, and practice-based skills. The learning community has deeply enriched our academic experiences. Thank you Dr. Perry for such a wonderful addition to our academic experiences. 

The learning community had a wonderful opportunity to visit the Detroit Area Agency on Aging on March 3rd. Members were given an insightful presentation and a wealth of materials on the programs and services DAAA offers older adults in the community. The presentation started with a warm welcome from DAAA President and CEO Mr. Paul Bridgewater, followed by the department leaders presenting on the long-term care ombudsman, MMAP, information and assistance, transportation, nutrition, and Medicare/Medicaid  programs. The last program they shared with us was the Meals on Wheels program, in which two learning community members volunteered on Easter morning to help pack the meals that were delivered that day!

The learning community thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the warm welcome and information DAAA gave us and extend our thanks to all the presenters!

Learning Community members kicked off the new year with the first meeting on January 28th in the new School of Social Work building located at 5447 Woodward Ave. The first meeting was a strong start to a great semester with three guest speakers. Fayana Richards, PhD student in the Anthropology Department at Michigan State University, presented her paper titled "Mothering Again: Kinship Matters Among Caregiving Older Adult Women in Detroit". Gillian Bentley, Independent Living Specialist at Disability Network, gave a presentation on P.R.E.V.N.T (Prevent Elder and Vulnerable Abuse, Exploitation, Neglect Today). Megan Mizra, Director at The Centre for Elder Abuse Prevention at Jewish Senior Life, presented on the new Elder Abuse Shelter that opened in West Bloomfield, MI and the services provided.  

The learning community peer-mentor, Rachel Allstetter, and one member, Vanessa Rorai, attended the Gerontological Society of America Scientific Meeting in Orlando, FL. The two students had a wonderful experience attending symposiums, poster sessions, learning about evidence-based practices and research, and networking with Gerontologists from all over the world. 

At the December meeting, Rachel and Vanessa gave a presentation to the learning community discussing what they learned at the conference and about their experience. 

In October the Learning Community had a guest speaker, Mehnaz Rafat, MSW, who is a Social Worker in Windsor, Ontario Canada. Mehnaz works at Family Services Windsor where she primarily serves older adult clients. Mehnaz gave a wonderful presentation on what it is like to be a gerontology social worker in Ontario Canada.