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“Become a Disruptor” On May 15 th , 2024, the Juanita C. Grant Foundation and the United States Attorney's Office District of Maryland convened the first statewide, full day invitation-only summit on Victim Impact, Financial Fraud Prevention and Legal Rights at Prince George's Ballroom. This collaboration brought together 116 attendees from over 8 Maryland Counties. Attendees included federal and state prosecutors, medical experts, elder abuse, national and local nonprofits and older adult advocates and representatives of diverse communities. These groups joined across county boundaries, disciplines and career paths establishing common ground in developing targeted and intentional interventions to address "The Intersection of Elder Abuse, Traumatic Impact of Scams and Residual Health Repercussions." The Summit is the culmination and celebration of 10 years of our work in Prince George’s County, the state and with national organizations to give voice to older adult issues. We often hear of the national perspective on elder abuse and fraud, but not from the grassroots level where the long-term repercussions of trauma take a physical toll and nest eggs are lost forever. In serving as co-organizer and summit chair with the Maryland United States Attorney’s Office, it was the perfect opportunity to disrupt the usual process of pursing elder abuse. As anyone would tell you who knows me, challenging existing practices, beliefs and patterns of behaviors is something that is ingrained in me. All disruptors have one thing in common: they are change agents. Since 2018, the Juanita C. Grant Foundation has challenged the status quo by amplifying the voice of older adults, listening and taking the path to be a disruptor of elder abuse. "Financial fraud, scams, and elder abuse have seen alarming increases in recent years, with older adults often the most vulnerable targets." Elder Financial Abuse Statistics 2024: Common Scams & Frauds | ConsumerAffairs® .