urban views weekly september 9, 2015

Sept. 9, 2015 Scholar of the Week – Christopher Staten

Senior Living: Enjoying the next season

2 Urban Views Weekly | September 9, 2015 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Fundraising in an Imperfect World– Part One

What do you do if your board doesn’t have the connections, experience or willingness to be involved in fundraising? How will your nonprofit secure the money and resources it needs to deliver on its mission?

We encourage board-led fundraising. We believe that when board members are actively involved in fundraising, the nonprofit organization or institution will be more successful. Board-led fundraising includes active involvement in determining fundraising goals; identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors; making a gift of their own; and engaging others in giving and fundraising.

But what if your board is reluctant to fundraise or simply refuses to “give and get”? There are many reasons for this response. Members may not have been recruited to fundraise. They may be engaged

in campaigns for other nonprofits. They may not know how to provide guidance and direction as it relates to fundraising.

If you find yourself in this position, here are 10 things you can do as a nonprofit executive:

1. Appeal to your board to increase their participation in fundraising in spite of original board

responsibilities which might not include fundraising.

2. Visit each board member individually to learn more about the “hidden gems” – those ways an individual board member could be of service, or the reasons for

reluctance to fundraise.

3. Take your board on “field trips” to observe other nonprofit boards in action.

4. Ask board members to recruit someone

Letter ToThe Editor

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Network with other African American business owners, managers, and professionals. This is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and

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FUNdraising Good Times

Ten solutions to a board that won’t fundraise

Civic Beat

3 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com Urban Views Weekly | September 9, 2015

Scholar of the Week

Every Sunday in football season, Christopher Staten cheers for his favorite team, the Arizona Cardinals, as an avid football fan. He has been into football for about four years. “My grandfather, he was a Redskins fan and I really got into it after he passed away,” Christopher said about the sport. “I just really enjoy it.” Knowledgeable of every rule of the sport, Christopher knows what is supposed to be going on at all times in a game even if a referee messes up a call. His favorite player on the Cardinals, Larry Fitzgerald, is a role model for Christopher because of all his work in the community by donating to local schools and charities. As an achieving high school senior at Richmond Community High School, with a 4.03 GPA, Christopher hopes to be able to give back to his community in the future as well.

Christopher said he tries his hardest at everything he does and always puts forth a great effort. His family has been very supportive of him, and he said his mother especially is one person who is the most influential in his life. “I really want to come back and make a difference in my community,” Christopher said. “I really haven’t had anybody besides my family to help me in my community so I just really want to come back and give to them.”

Other than an interest in football, as a drummer, Christopher has

an interest in music and also a great appreciation for technology. One of his favorite activities is spending time with his friends playing video games. “Ever since I was four years old, I have been playing video games, which is what has got me into the growth of other technologies as well,” he said. To see the advancement of technology is one thing that attracts him to the area. In order to further his education, he plans to attend college to pursue a degree in computer science. His number one choice is University

of Richmond. When he participated in University of Richmond’s Math Science Investigators program, he was able to see the campus, which was very appealing to him. Randolph Macon in Ashland, Virginia is his second choice. “My chemistry teacher went there and she said that it was a really good school and my principal recommended it to me too,” he said about Randolph Macon.

With plans to further his education and make a difference in his community,

Christopher already participates in community outside of school. Besides assisting with the service at Newbridge Baptist Church, he has also participated in events with the Children’s Miracle Network. With the Children’s Miracle Network, Christopher assisted and participated with cookouts that were used to raise money for children with cancer. “I’ve always liked to help out with events,” Christopher said. “If I can help with the betterment of something else, I always want to do that.”

By Janeal Downs

Christopher Staten of Richmond Community High School

GPA: 4.03

College of Interest: University of Richmond

Major Community Service: Children’s Miracle Network, Newbridge Baptist Church

Strong Interests: Music, technology and football

Favorite Activities: Playing video games with friends

$100 ScholarshipsAwarded Every Week

Do you know a High School Senior who can meet the following criteria?

1. Have a 3.0 grade point average or better

2. Participates in extracurricular community

service activities

3. Attends public school in Central VirginiaEncourage yourscholar to apply!

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Scholar0of the Week™

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Justice is, generally, defined as the use of power appointed by and as a function of law. It is a system of honor or standards to support fair treatment and due reward. Justice is supposed to be inextricably bound to characteristics such as fairness, impartiality, reasonableness, and evenhandedness. It can be argued that our nation’s system of justice has been in a state of evolutionary “process” since its inception. However, justice as systematically imposed has more to do with those who hold the power to define and enforce it, than with the characteristics and nature by which it is defined.

Over-representation of minorities and marginalized populations in the criminal justice system is a problem around the world. It raises questions about the fairness of the justice system itself, and of how larger social justice problems influence the justice system. The disproportionate incarceration rates and arbitrary sentencing, and/or over sentencing among black and brown populations seriously confront the lack of fairness, impartiality and evenhandedness within the criminal justice system. “Equal Justice Under the Law…” has become empty rhetoric and a dream deferred to so many Americans it can no longer be ignored. The concept of equality within the legal system in the service of justice for all is, for far too many citizens, just a utopian concept in a United States that holds the highest incarceration rate in the world. The system is broken and it needs to be dismantled and reconfigured to include the platitudes and principles upon which this nation was founded, inclusive of ALL of its citizens.

Crime and anti-social behaviors are disruptive to our communities. There are victims and victimizers. Those distinctions can be universally applied regardless of race, class, gender, belief system, ethnicity or national origin. And yet, those who fill our jails, prisons and detention centers, even as young as 8 years old, are predominately black and brown and still, we want to proclaim we have a judicial system that is representative of the people? Economic disparity is undeniably a contributing factor, but what must be acknowledged is that the power brokers are indisputably members of the dominant class. That MUST change.

Restorative justice emphasizes repairing the harm caused by crime. When victims, offenders and community members meet to decide how to do that, the results can be transformational. When speaking of community members, we must include law enforcement as a part of our community and NOT an outside force of STATE Control. The distinction of enforcement is one, which relegates us to a state of fascism in contrast to officers of justice who practice as servant leaders sworn to protect and serve its citizenry. As citizens, we have become an “occupied” community, and those sworn to protect and serve have become our oppressors as a part of a broken system of crime, justice, and punishment that is embedded in institutional racism and systemic bias. As taxpayers and citizens, we then become tools of our own oppression and perpetuate the dysfunction we find within our own communities.

What we have been doing for decades by increasing the rates of incarceration and criminalization of poor and disenfranchised populations has been a complete failure. We have the distinction of incentivizing crime as BIG business. We have created an

industrial complex dedicated to the commodification of people in the prison pipeline. We are ransoming our future by locking up and locking down our young people. Without an absolute reconsideration of crime and punishment in the U.S., we are putting our future in peril. Can we have some restorative justice please? Otherwise, “Equal Justice Under the Law….” are merely words that tell a bold faced LIE.

Up Next Week: The NFL, Scandal and Pop Culture

ViewPoints By Dr. T

Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D.Founder and Artistic DirectorThe Conciliation Project andAssociate ProfessorVirginia Commonwealth UniversityDrT@Margins2theCenter.comwww.theconciliationproject.org

Can we have some restorative justice?

TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll OxyContin, an extended-release version of the painkiller oxycodone, is a narcotic used to treat moderate to severe pain. The Food and Drug Administration has reportedly approved the use of the drug for children as young as 11 years old. While the drug may provide relief to young cancer patients, there is a concern by some doctors that prescribing OxyContin could put them at risk of addiction.

What’s your take? Do you think the benefits of OxyContin outweigh the risks to children?Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2 p.m. on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com.

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From Fundraising page 2 they know – who has experience

fundraising – to work with each as a partner. Working in teams with colleagues from outside the board can build capacity and expertise.

5. Develop an alternative fundraising group such as a development taskforce, advisory council, special development committee of the board, or friends committee. These are people who can open doors, solicit, and provide guidance and strategy. They should be recruited with an explicit request to assist with fundraising.

6. Hire a consultant to work with the board to help increase their knowledge of fundraising responsibilities and ability to participate in fundraising.

7. Assume more responsibility for fundraising. You and your staff will have to be more active and proactive.

8. Scale your fundraising needs/

goals to meet the capacity of board members and staff.

9. Work with board members to determine which fundraising projects they could take the lead on. This can help build experience and confidence and hopefully increase their appetite for more involvement. Don’t involve board members in a big project they don’t have the capacity or experience to achieve.

10. Keep the board informed on a consistent basis regarding the status of fundraising, funds received, prospective donors identified, potential shortfalls or surpluses and the implications.

We live in an imperfect world. Work with your board, recognize their strengths and offset their challenges.

Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising, visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

Intersection Improvements at Courthouse Road and Laurel Spring Road

Prince George County Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is proposing safety improvements at the intersection of Courthouse Road and Laurel Spring Road in Prince George County. Improvements include adding a northbound right-turn lane from Courthouse Rd. to Laurel Spring Rd. and replacing the traffic signals to accommodate the new traffic condition. Review project information and the environmental documentation at VDOT’s Richmond District Office located at 2430 Pine Forest Drive in Colonial Heights, 23834-9002, 804-524-6000, 1-800-367-7623, or TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions. If your concerns cannot be satisfied, VDOT is willing to hold a public hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to Anthony Haverly, P.E., P.M.P., project manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, Richmond District, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002 or [email protected] on or prior to September 22, 2015. If a request for a public hearing is received, notice of the date, time and place of the hearing will be posted. VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this project or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the project manager listed above.

State Project: 0106-074-765,P101, R201, C501 Federal Project: STP-5A27(242)

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Find Free EducationDo you consider yourself a lifelong learner? Do you find yourself wondering if you could pick up a new skill, even later in life? You may be feeling the itch to get more education, which you can do at discounted rates or even free of charge at your local community college or university.

Program AvailabilityThe American Council on Education reports that at least 60 percent of accredited, degree-granting educational institutions nationwide offer tuition waivers for senior citizens. Check with your local community college or university to find out if yours is one of them. Start by calling the admissions office and asking what programs are available for senior learners. You may have to set up an in-person meeting with a college official or counselor to talk through your tuition and class options. Be sure to confirm that your educational opportunity will be free of cost, or at least discounted to a special rate.

Choose a Specialty Depending on your educational goals, you may not be looking for a full two- or four-year degree. In that case, you can find a variety of “lifelong learner” courses at your local college or even community centers, art studios or fitness centers. If you’re interested in film and cinema, you can search for courses or seminars that focus on the history and evolution of

Hollywood. There are also collegiate classes centered on business-building, personal finances, health and public affairs. Whatever your interest, you can likely find a program offering some kind of senior-learning coursework that can help keep you sharp and teach you new skills, or even lead to a second career. Invite FriendsLearning can be contagious, so invite your friends or family members to take some courses with you. Knowing someone in your class can help put you at ease in an unfamiliar situation and give you more

conversation topics. If your friends are unavailable to take classes with you, be sure to pass along what you are learning about, whether it’s a new view on historical happenings or an innovative cooking approach.

Stay Safe on Social MediaHave you ever wondered what those “#” symbols mean when you’re watching television or how to “like” a company on Facebook? Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest can help you stay in touch with global, national and even family news with a few clicks of your mouse or swipes on your mobile device.

With 73 percent of American adults using social networks, according to recent figures from the Pew Research Center, now is a great time to jump on board. Setting up a social media profile is easy. You’ll need to provide some basic personal information, such as your birthday and email address, to get started. Given that social media is just that — social — you also will be prompted to give people an idea of your personal interests or community involvement. This type of information lets your contacts know what you’re passionate about.

Online Safety While social networks are valuable tools for maintaining close

6 Urban Views Weekly | Septebmber 9, 2015

Keep learning, keep connected and cost-conscious

connections with your friends and family members, they also, unfortunately, are popular targets for scammers or senders of junk email that can shut down your computer, or worse, find access to your personal information.

Fortunately, with the practice of some basic Internet safety steps, you can keep your profile and identity safe.

Choose Your Network Wisely: It is best to only accept or invite new connections who you already know. There also are

options for social networking sites to only allow access to your connections. That way you know exactly who is reading your posts and looking at your photos.

Read Privacy Policies: Each social networking site adheres to its own privacy policy, which can spell out posting rules and efforts it takes to protect your personal information. Read these carefully before building a profile.

Watch What You Click: If you receive a message through a social media site, make sure it is actually from someone you know before clicking on any links. Hackers can easily send phony messages that look like they’re from your friends. Reach out to your sender for confirmation if you’re suspicious of a message you receive.

Cut Your Food CostsGrocery shopping can be a major expense, especially for those living on a fixed income. Frozen and processed foods may be the least expensive in your grocery store aisles, but they are generally not the best options for your health. You can also scour your local newspaper for coupons and special deals so you’re finding the best offers.

Here are three other ways you can save money at the grocery checkout:

Find DiscountsMany grocery stores offer a special Senior Day every month to help you save money on your final bill. If you aren’t sure when or if your favorite store features such a day, call or check the store’s website for more information. Once you find out which store to visit, be sure to get there as early as possible to avoid getting stuck in long lines or battles for parking spots. These

are likely on the grocery store’s busiest days of the month, so plan accordingly.

More Work = Less CostIf you’re willing to put in a little extra work in preparing your meals, you can often find great savings in whole meats or vegetables. A whole chicken usually costs less than a pack that is cut into pieces by the butcher, while an entire head of lettuce will be cheaper — and last longer — than a bag of salad mix. Making choices like these, although they may cost you a bit more time, can help save some cash at checkout.

Shop SmartBefore you head out for this week’s groceries, plan ahead. On your list should be plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as grains and foods high in fiber. Make sure your list is mostly free of red meat, processed foods and snacks. Resist the temptations that line the checkout shelves. Candy and chips will only drive up your final bill, along with your calorie count.

7 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Keep learning, keep connected and cost-consciousBy Bernard Freeman


By Hazel Trice EdneyBlack Economic Empowerment: Pilot Entrepreneurship Program

Aims to Train Black Business Owners for SuccessCathy Hughes went from sleeping on the floor of her radio station, as a struggling single mother, to the ownership of the largest Black-owned broadcast company in the U.S. and the first publicly traded company owned by an African American woman.

The late Ebony/Jet Publisher John H. Johnson, whose father was a sawmill worker and mother a cook, rose to become the first Black man to be listed among Forbes’ wealthiest Americans.

These entrepreneurs are often used examples of the thousands of African Americans, who, through courage, ingenuity and tenacity have succeeded in every level of business ownership in America. And financial experts say entrepreneurship is yet growing among African Americans across the U. S. despite the still frail 2015 economy.

The University of Phoenix School of Business aims to fuel that growth by backing a new entrepreneurial education and training program with a $500,000 grant. The pilot program, in partnership with the U. S. Black Chambers, Inc., (USBC), is set to begin Jan. 1, 2016. It targets African American small business owners, including USBC members, in various cities across the U. S.

In a joint statement, the program is described as “a three-course, 15-week credit-bearing program that includes online classroom instruction taught by School of Business faculty, and takes students through courses including personal cash flow, market analyses and financial performance.” The release says, “Students will create their business plans using this customizable program to develop a business model, strategy, financial forecasts, competition benchmarks and implementation and performance tracking.”

The USBC-University of Phoenix program comes amidst a growing trend of Black entrepreneurship across the U. S. In its most recent reporting on business ownership, the U. S. Census says the “number of Black-owned businesses increased at triple the national rate” between 2002 and 2007. More recently, in June this year, Forbes reported that the number of businesses owned by African American women has grown 322 percent since 1997, “making Black females the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S.”, according to a study commissioned by American Express Open.

Also, Black Enterprise recently reported an increase in entrepreneurship programs at Historically Black Colleges

and Universities. The magazine said the growth in entrepreneurship coincides with innovative ways to deal with pessimistic job outlooks for youth and a still flailing economy and unemployment rates when it comes to African Americans. Though Black unemployment rates recently dipped below double digits, it remains twice that of Whites. Black unemployment rates for youth ages 16-24 also exceeds 28 percent, twice that of White youth.

Targeting those who appear to be at the greatest economic disadvantage is apparently driving the new program, according to a release.

“University of Phoenix is pleased to partner with USBC to provide African American small business owners and entrepreneurs an exclusive program integrating teachings from business courses with insights from local market experts who understand the economy in their communities,” said Byron Jones, chief financial officer, University of Phoenix. “The U.S. Black Chambers Business program allows participants to experience some of the most challenging exercises business owners undergo with the training, support and counsel they need from seasoned professionals with demonstrated success in owning and managing a business.”

The University of Phoenix is widely known for its degree programs for working adults. Working with the USBC and the 250,000 small businesses that it serves appears a natural fit. The new program also deals with the key issue in sustaining Black-owned businesses. That’s access to capital.

“Gaining access to capital continues to be a major hurdle for African American small business owners, and properly

navigating that process is often the difference between success and failure,” said USBC President/CEO Ron Busby, Sr. “We are excited to collaborate with University of Phoenix on this educational program to help provide needed resources to support Black entrepreneurs, and believe it is an excellent example of local leaders and educators working together to improve the lives of our citizens and communities.”

In that regard, despite the growth in Black-owned businesses, the Wall Street Journal reported last year that there had been a steep drop in loans to Black-owned business by the Small Business Administration. The percentage had dropped from 8.2 percent in 2008 to 2.3 percent in 2013, a decline that the paper described as “unusually steep compared with other minorities.”

Entrepreneurship experts who applaud the new program are also quick to point out that amidst recent crisis, African Americans are simply rediscovering and reviving their historic ingenuity. “Black entrepreneurship has been significant ever since we arrived in this country, we’ve always been entrepreneurs even before we got here,” says Jim Clingman, author, founder of Blackonomics.com, and founder of the Entrepreneurship High School in Cincinnati. “It was very significant during the enslavement period and thereafter when Black enclaves were built and owned by Black people. And then in the sixties, of course, we began to abandon those businesses in favor of businesses other than our own. And now 60 years later, we’re back to starting more businesses and growing those businesses and seeing the value once again of entrepreneurship.”

According to a release, the rigorous USBC-University of Phoenix program includes an in-person micro workshop with USBC experts on “topics such as accounting and finance, marketing, operations and customer service”. The goal is “successful completion of the three program courses” which will lead to a feasibility plan ready to submit to a bank or microloan partner. The program is also worth nine hours of college credit toward a certificate at University of Phoenix.

“University of Phoenix is committed to discovering and developing the next generation of African American business leaders, so the program with USBC small business owners is a natural fit,” said Ruth Veloria, executive dean, University of Phoenix School of Business. “Knowledge and training drive success. That’s why our certificate courses, such as those in the USBC program, will provide participants relevant skills that can positively and quickly impact their businesses.”

Byron Jones, Chief Financial Officer, University of Phoenix; Ron Busby, President/CEO , U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.; Mario Middleton, Assistant Dean, Specialized Programs & Diversity, University of Phoenix


The DealBy Nathaniel Sillin

Back-to-School Planning for Returning Students

Could a mid- to late-career return to college make sense for you?

It’s essential to evaluate whether this is a financially risky move. In recent years, older Americans have been heading back to school part-time and during evenings in greater numbers than students of typical college age. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, enrollees 25 years of age and older account for 40 percent of all undergraduate and graduate students – by 2020, that number will rise to 43 percent.

Statistics proliferate on how much more valuable undergraduate college degrees are than high school diplomas alone – a recent Pew Research Analysis study reported that college graduates age 25-32 and working full-time earn about $17,500 more a year than employed adults in that age group with only a high school diploma. It’s an indication why college is a fairly clear sell for younger people.

However, for people over 40, there are no similarly clear-cut rewards. That’s why it’s particularly important to do extensive due diligence before returning to college or any other training program. That’s doubly true if you can’t afford tuition out-of-pocket.

Here are considerations to make before making a mid- or late-career return to the classroom:

A degree doesn’t mean a job. That may seem obvious given the recent hiring fortunes of younger, first-time college grads. However, even though some job indicators are looking up for older workers, it doesn’t mean past experience and a high-quality degree or certificate program will immediately lead to employment or better pay or for how long. Start with a thorough examination of working conditions and hiring forecasts (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) in your chosen field. If it’s a complete career change, add face-to-face networking and observation of the job in action, if possible. Most of all, it’s important to know whether employers in that specific field really are interested in hiring older workers and have a record of doing so.

Fully evaluate your finances. As risky as student debt levels are now – the average student is borrowing around $30,000 – spending money on school when you’re older is a much riskier proposition than when you’re young. Consider that late-life tuition is money that won’t go to retirement, a child’s tuition, an older relative’s needs, consumer debt or financial emergencies. In other words, it’s an investment that really has to pay off. Also keep in mind that student debt cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. This is why it is important to seek qualified financial and tax advice before committing to spending savings or taking out student loans to return to school.

Determine how long you really plan to work. A 2013 Gallup poll indicated that three in four U.S. workers plan to work past the conventional retirement age of 65, but no one really knows how long they’ll be able to work given health and other factors. Will you be able to recoup the cost of training based on the number of years you hope to work?

Find the most affordable training possible. If a field is friendly to new workers your age, what will you have to invest in training to get the right job? Will it require a masters-level degree or a training certificate that makes you a specialist in a specific skill? Will some employers accept free or low-cost online courses being offered by known colleges and universities? The American Association of Community Colleges’ Plus 50 Initiative is a useful resource for lower-cost training options at community colleges throughout the country. Also check with your chosen industry’s leading trade associations to see what certificate training is most popular within the field and what it costs.

Bottom line: Education is beneficial at any age, but mid-to-late career workers should evaluate their finances and thoroughly investigate degree programs before going back to school.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

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Customers can help “Bag Hunger” Sept. 6-19 at all stores

One in 6 Americans go hungry every day according to Feeding America. GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN’S Food Markets are asking for customers to help “Bag Hunger” during September’s Hunger Action Month.

Customers can donate $1 at the checkout at their local GIANT or MARTIN’S during the annual Bag Hunger in-store campaign Sunday, Sept. 6 through Saturday, Sept. 19. A similar campaign held earlier this year raised a record-breaking $640,297 to support local hunger relief efforts.

“The fight against hunger is an everyday battle, and for most it hits too close to home as many families and children go without a meal,” said Tom Lenkevich, GIANT/MARTIN’S president. “We’re so proud that our customers take action with us as we combat hunger every September during Hunger Action Month. Together we can win the fight against hunger in our communities.”

Knowing that high protein meat is most needed by hungry families and is often in short supply, GIANT/MARTIN’S also continues to provide meat that would otherwise go unsold to regional food bank partners through its Meat the Needs program. Since 2010, more than 3 million pounds of meat have been donated to local communities from all GIANT/MARTIN’S locations.

In 2014, hunger relief efforts and donations to regional food banks accounted for

approximately 45% of GIANT/MARTIN’S community giving with more than 100 regional

food banks and local pantries receiving $12.2 million in product, customer, vendor and corporate donations. Regional food banks that benefit from GIANT/MARTIN’S support include the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Philabundance, Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley, FeedMore - Central Virginia Food Bank, Food Bank of Western Maryland, Greater Berks County Food Bank, Water Street Rescue Mission in Lancaster, Food Resources of Washington County, Maryland, and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in Virginia.

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Many senior citizens want to keep their energy levels up during their retirement years. They are more health conscious and see how an active lifestyle leads to a long life.

If you are in the market for a retirement community, there are plenty of things to consider. This retirement community will hopefully become your home. It is important to choose a vibrant place, with plenty of parking and recreational activities. These days, more Americans are remaining active into their retirement years. They are searching for communities that match their lifestyles and goals for relaxed living.

Here are some aspects to consider before making a financial commitment to a living facility.

Community Activities and Parking

Many seniors enjoy golf, tennis, swimming and walking. Any prospective retirement community should have easy access to such activities. Other seniors enjoy arts and crafts, board games, dancing and organized activities. Taking part in social events can provide opportunities to make new friends. Research what kinds of social events are organized

within the retirement community.

Also, find out if the community has ample opportunities for residents to travel to theaters, museums or shopping malls together.

Parking is another important factor when choosing a retirement community. Most people enjoy having family and friends visit, so parking is a necessity. When parking is tight, visitors will be less likely to come. Do not overlook its importance.

Medical Care Facilities

Retirement communities should be easily accessible to emergency personnel. Know the location of the closest hospitals, doctors, ambulance services and other personnel. You may wish to restrict your search to communities located near your preferred physician or other service providers.

Any prospective community should have a formal emergency plan in place. In addition, check to see if the retirement unit has custom safety features, such as railings in the bathrooms and entranceways.

Pet Policies

Pet policies are another feature to consider when investigating potential retirement communities. Some facilities will allow you to bring your pet to live with you while others will not. So if you have a pet you don’t want to leave behind, you may be able to bring it with you. Many communities now recognize the health

benefits of having pets.

Additionally, a park or nearby dog walking area will benefit you and your animal companion, particularly if your pet requires daily exercise. Taking a walk each day will benefit both of you.

Churches, Libraries and Schools

Consider how close the community is to schools, sports facilities, and other sites that produce a large amount of traffic and high noise levels. Many people prefer to live in less congested, quiet areas during their later years.

Also, think about where the nearest libraries and churches are located, as well as public transportation.

Ask whether the community provides its own transportation for residents. Some facilities have their own fleet of minivans and buses. It is extremely helpful for seniors who no longer drive and need to do some routine personal shopping.

The Community

Current residents will give you a feel for their level of satisfaction with the community. Talk to them about their experiences and seek candid reviews of the amenities and staff.

After all, it is important you feel confident that you have selected a retirement community that fits your personal needs and lifestyles.

By taking the time to research multiple facilities, you will undoubtedly find a warm, welcoming facility. You will be able to build lasting friendships and gain the support you need to have fun during your retirement.

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