Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley, was awarded the $500,000 Grand Prize at the Vital Seniors Competition celebration Tuesday, Nov. 13.
The award is part of a $2.5 million initiative by the Glacier Hills Legacy Fund and the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation to fund innovative support programs for seniors and their caregivers in Washtenaw County.
YMOW and Habitat will use the Vital Seniors funding to expand the CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for elders) program to 100 seniors throughout the Ypsilanti area. CAPABLE is a support model that originated at Johns Hopkins University and has been proven effective in helping seniors to gain skills, strength and confidence to live happier, safer lives in their own homes.
Each senior in the CAPABLE program is supported by a team consisting of a social worker, home repair expert, nurse and occupational therapist, all of whom work with the senior over a 5-month period to make tangible improvements in wellness, activities of daily living, home safety and more.
“The Vital Seniors award will allow Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity to make lasting changes to seniors’ homes, their lives and the lives of their caregivers. We are thrilled to receive this funding, and eager to offer CAPABLE to seniors who wish to age at home,” said Alison Foreman, executive director of YMOW.
After a 10-month competition process, the work is just beginning for the CAPABLE team.
“Now the real work begins – work that will make real changes in the lives of our local seniors,” Foreman said.
As a Vital Seniors prize winner, the CAPABLE project will be eligible for additional follow-up grants in 2020-22.
YMOW and Habitat thank the Glacier Hills Legacy Advisory Committee, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, and all those who supported them in working toward this goal. A special thanks goes to Marilyn, whose story helped to illustrate the impact that CAPABLE can and will have in the Ypsilanti community.
Finally, Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners in the Vital Seniors competition for your ongoing efforts to improve the lives of seniors in Washtenaw County.