Philadelphia, March 9, 2011– Mayor Michael A. Nutter re-launched the Mayor’s Commission on Aging (MCOA) and appointed new members who will advise the Mayor on policies and projects that affect older Philadelphians. Roughly twenty percent of the City’s population is over the age of fifty-five, and the number is expected rise. Established by City ordinance nearly thirty years ago, MOCA coordinates all municipal programs related to services for the aging, advises the Mayor on private or governmental services that are available to Senior citizens, and supports the development of new programs meant to serve Philadelphia’s Senior community.
“It is projected that by 2015, twenty-seven percent of the City of Philadelphia’s population will be over the age of fifty-five. Given those projections, we know that programs designed to support our senior citizens will be seriously challenged to meet basic needs,” said Mayor Nutter. “The newly appointed members of the Commission on Aging will help guide our work to ensure that Philadelphia is a great place to live and play, no matter your age.”
Members of the Commission (listed below) are representatives of area senior centers, non-profits, businesses, minority enterprises, churches, healthcare institutions and civic and community organizations. All members serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and are be eligible for reappointment to successive terms. There is no compensation for their service.
Members of the Mayor’s Commission on Aging:
Rose Gray, VP of Community and Economic Development for the Association Puertorriquenos en March
Bill Salas, CEO of the Hispanic Association of Contractors and Entrepreneurs
Nancy Henkin, Executive Director of the Temple Center for Intergenerational Studies
Lynn Fields Harris, Executive Director of Center in the Park
Mark Segal, Publisher of Philadelphia Gay News
Ginger Zielinske, Executive Director of Benefits Trust
Angela M. Brown, Director of Marketing and Public Affairs for NewCourtland
Tania Rorke, Executive Director of Penn’s Village
Thoai Nguyen, Executive Director of Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition
Simon P. Bouie, Pastor for Zion A.M.E. Church
Karen Buck, Executive Director of SeniorLaw Center
Rodney Williams, President of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
Nora Dowd Eisenhower, Principal of One Point, Public and Private Solutions, LLC
Diane Menio, Executive Director of the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly
Bill Ryan, Senior Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs for Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
i