Don’t Fall Victim to These 6 COVID-19 Scams

Did you know, according to the National Alliance Family Caregiver Annual report that over 53 million adults in the U.S. are caregivers for aging relatives, spouses, friends, or neighbors? That’s one in five Americans. By the time we reach 2030, as we all continue to age, those 65 and older will outnumber children, and the demand for family caregivers will only increase. Caregiving is a powerful act of love, but it often comes with emotional and physical strain. My experience while caring for my mother in her later years was often a balancing act between a full-time job, carving out time for my activities and making sure her needs were prioritized. I often felt guilty about taking a much needed vacation or not making it to the grocery store to pick up her favorite cookies. Many caregivers feel guilty for wanting rest or personal time, believing that every moment should be devoted to others. But here’s the truth: neglecting your own mental wellness doesn’t help anyone. Chronic stress, anxiety, sleep issues, and even resentment can build up, making caregiving harder and less sustainable. Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential! When you actively take charge of your mental wellness, you’re better equipped to care for others with patience, compassion, and resilience. Mind First: Why Self-Care Is Your Superpower Scheduling “Me Time” : Treat it like an appointment. Even 15–30 minutes a day for reading, walking, or meditating will recharge your energy. Connecting with Others: Join support groups or hobby clubs. Sharing your journey with others can be deeply healing. Asking for Help, then Accepting It: You don’t have to do everything alone. Let others support you. Setting Boundaries: Practice saying “no”. Protecting your time and emotional space is not selfish. Celebrating Small Wins: Be a witness to your own efforts. You’re doing something extraordinary. Prioritizing Sleep and Nutrition: Listening to your body when you need rest and fuel to be strong. Seeking Professional Support: Therapy or counseling can provide tools to help you manage Mental wellness is an active journey of embracing self-care to cultivate resilience, emotional strength, and personal growth. It’s not a onetime fix, but a continuous process of nurturing your mind and spirit. Start your journey with me today.

Eight years ago, before fraud, scams, and elder abuse were widely recognized as the national crisis as it is today, the Juanita C. Grant Foundation saw troubling signs emerging in our communities. We listened to the stories. We watched the numbers rise. We witnessed the emotional, financial, and psychological toll that exploitation was taking on older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their families. What concerned us most was not simply that these crimes were increasing, it was that the community's role in prevention was largely absent from the conversation. We saw a void. We recognized that responding to fraud and elder abuse would require more than occasional awareness campaigns or news headlines. It would require a thoughtful, evidence-based, and community-centered approach that brought information, resources, and trusted professionals directly to the people most affected. On a fiercely rainy and cold March 7, 2018, with Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks as our opening speaker, we launched eight years of ongoing fraud, scam, and elder abuse prevention trainings. What began as a response to a growing concern evolved into a powerful community initiative built on partnerships, research, and the voices of those we serve. Over the years, our evaluation data and ongoing research helped shape and strengthen our approach. We assembled rotating panels of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies that provided up-to-the-minute information on emerging scams, local cases, and criminal trends. We expanded our network of guest speakers to include banking professionals, Adult Protective Services representatives, elder law attorneys and victim advocates. Yet one lesson became abundantly clear: facts and statistics alone do not change behavior. Stories do. The most impactful moments in our trainings happen when a speaker or a participant shares their experience. Their story may describe losing a lifetime of savings to a sophisticated scam. Another may speak about watching a friend become increasingly isolated and controlled by a caregiver. I have shared my stories of being a frequent target of computer scams. Sometimes the stories are difficult to hear. Often, they are deeply personal. During many workshops, I will sit beside participants as they tell their stories. What begins as one person's willingness to speak often gives another person permission to do the same. In those moments, something powerful happens. The training becomes more than information, it becomes connection, support, and healing. The room transforms from a group of attendees into a community looking out for one another. That sense of community is critical because fraud and abuse thrive in isolation. Remember that! Scammers use pressure, fear, urgency, and secrecy to manipulate their targets. They encourage people to act before consulting a trusted friend or family member. Similarly, elder abuse can occur when an older adult or person with disabilities becomes dependent on someone who may misuse their position of trust. When there is an imbalance of power and limited outside oversight, opportunities for exploitation increase. Again, isolation is the key. The antidote to both situations is connection. People need trusted individuals who check in regularly. They need social networks that provide support, perspective, and encouragement. They need circles of safety that can interrupt the forward movement of a scam before financial or emotional damage occurs. That is why our trainings focus not only on recognizing red flags and understanding prevention strategies, but also on strengthening social connections and empowering participants to become advocates within their own families and communities. One of the greatest rewards of this work is hearing from repeat attendees. Time and again, participants tell us they shared our resource materials with family members, friends, neighbors, or fellow congregants. Many have reported that the information helped someone avoid becoming a victim or gave them the confidence to intervene when something did not seem right. Those conversations matter. Every resource shared. Every warning discussed. Every family conversation started. Every friend who checks on another friend. These actions create ripples that extend far beyond any single workshop. Over the past eight years, our evaluation data has consistently reflected satisfaction rates between 95 and 98 percent. More importantly, participants repeatedly express a commitment to sharing what they have learned with others. That is how prevention becomes community protection. Our law enforcement and professional partners have also noted the value of bringing agencies together through these trainings. Increased collaboration and information sharing have led to greater awareness, improved reporting, and stronger opportunities to identify and prosecute bad actors. The impact reaches far beyond the individual attendee. When one person becomes informed, they influence their family. Families influence their social networks. Social networks influence neighborhoods, faith communities, organizations, and entire communities. Through this process, awareness grows, protective behaviors strengthen, and communities become more resilient. As we reflect on eight years of service, we are grateful to every participant who trusted us with their stories, every partner who shared their expertise, and every advocate who carried this information back to their own circle of influence.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This year’s theme, "More Good Days, Together," reminds us of the significance of connecting with others. With the message, "In Every Story, There's Strength," the main goals are to inform people and support wellness. Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 by the National Association for Mental Health to increase awareness of mental illness, reduce stigma, and advocate for better treatment. The movement was spurred by Clifford Beers, who, after experiencing severe abuse in mental institutions, published his autobiography, A Mind That Found Itself . A single individual can catalyze systemic change by acting on their convictions and inspired a movement. Expanding upon NAMH's commitment to fostering substantive understanding, the Juanita C. Grant Foundation continues its legacy of advocacy and connection through its own initiatives. The Foundation’s Forward Together Initiative reflects this historical commitment by organizing its work around three pillars: Forward Wellness, Forward Unity, and Forward Village Connections. Forward Wellness encourages us to explore, grow, and learn, helping us build or renew social connections for better mental health. Forward Unity invites us to share our experiences and value every generation, and Forward Village Connections fosters resilience through relationships and measurable outcomes. This third pillar of the initiative started during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the foundation created The Village Connector Experience to help older adults reconnect with friends, family, and the community. Forward Village Connections continues to provide the resources that help people overcome challenges and feel a sense of belonging.  As I reflect on these three pillars, I recognize how much my own understanding of well-being has been shaped by participating in community initiatives that mirror this approach. For example, when I engaged in actionable intentions like Forward Wellness, I found that exploring new social opportunities not only broadened my perspective but also increased my sense of support and connection. Similarly, experiences with multigenerational activities, as emphasized in Forward Unity, deepened my appreciation for the diverse strengths within my community. The interconnectedness of the pillars within the Forward Together Initiative underscores the importance of fostering communal support, personal growth and mental well-being. Life balance isn’t mythical, but it does take practice. Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month by practicing gratitude, focusing on your strengths, and making time for joy. Each morning, as I enjoy my coffee and listen to my favorite sounds of morning, I feel grateful and look forward to the day.

Each March, Women’s History Month invites us to recognize leadership. The 2026 theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” celebrates women whose work strengthens communities and builds what lasts. When we picture leadership, we often imagine early success, public recognition, or formal authority. But some of the most powerful leadership unfolds later. It rises after interruption. It deepens with experience. It grows stronger over time. Consider Barbara Hillary. She was a nurse and community advocate in Harlem. She survived both breast and lung cancer. At 75, she became the first Black woman to reach the North Pole. At 79, she reached the South Pole. She did not train her whole life for those expeditions. She did not wait for the perfect moment. She decided she was not finished. Her story is not only about exploration. It is about endurance. It is about courage. It is about refusing to let age define possibility. She stands alongside women like Grandma Moses, who began painting seriously in her late seventies. Vera Wang, who built a global brand after 40. Julia Child, who published her first cookbook at 49. Toni Morrison, who began publishing in her late thirties and reshaped American literature for generations. None of these women followed a narrow timeline. None accepted the idea that influence belongs only to the young or the already established. They expanded what leadership looks like. This is worth celebrating. Many women practice this kind of leadership every day without headlines. Through caregiving, mentoring, organizing, teaching, building businesses, managing households, returning to work, and stepping into new arenas, they develop skills that strengthen families, workplaces, and communities. These are not small contributions. They are sustaining contributions. They are the kind that build futures. For anyone navigating a second chapter, this message is clear. Leadership does not expire. Experience compounds. Reinvention is not a sign that you are behind. It is proof that you are still growing. Women’s History Month honors those who led before us. It also celebrates the leadership unfolding right now. It celebrates persistence. It celebrates bold decisions made later in life. It celebrates the willingness to begin again. The future is not shaped only by those who started early. It is shaped by those who continue. Where might you decide you are not finished? We welcome your ideas and reflections. If there are topics you would like to see explored in future blogs, especially related to work, career transitions, community contribution, or aging with purpose, we invite you to share them with us. Donna Satterthwaite Vice Chair, Juanita C. Grant Foundation MotivAction Coaching https://www.motivactioncoaching.com

Ambassador Training Program I recently had the opportunity to participate in the Juanita C. Grant Foundation Village Connector Experience (VCE) Ambassador Training Program. Having participated in a significant number of (mostly legal) professional training sessions over the years -- some more useful and interesting than others -- I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from my VCE training overall. Having now completed this training, I can honestly say that I gained a wealth of useful guidance that will allow me to undertake this new role in a meaningful way. The curriculum was thoughtful and well organized; providing me not only with a fundamental understanding of the overarching goals of the VCE program as it relates to supporting its members, but it also gave me the tools to assess and interact with members experiencing social isolation in a way designed to promote their better reintegration into their community. In this regard, I also learned more about the multi-faceted nature of the issues that might be causing a member to experience social isolation (e.g., mental health, physical challenges, abuse) that can often be identified with these assessment tools. Additionally, the highly interactive nature of the instruction was critical in providing me with “real life” scenarios and challenges that I might be faced with in my role as a VCE Ambassador, and how I might address these situations on a day-to-day basis. I also appreciated how the class instruction showed me how translatable these same assessment tools and information are as a means by which any person can conduct a self-inventory of the relationships in their own lives as it relates to their levels of community engagement and social stability. I am thankful for this learning opportunity and, as a result, feel well equipped to start in my role as a VCE Ambassador.

Why This Month and This Practice Are Personal Black History Month has always held a personal significance for me. As a Black woman, I learned resilience from kitchen‐table stories, quiet sacrifices, and the daily choice to keep showing up when the world felt heavy. Guided journaling became a space where I could hold grief and joy simultaneously. It helped me name what my body already knew: I come from brilliance, I’ve survived so much, and my creativity is a lifeline. From Love of Learning to a Living Journal What supported me most weren’t random questions, but prompts rooted in time‐tested ideas about how to live well. I began studying cultural concepts from communities that treat the work of living with intention: Ubuntu from Southern Africa (interconnectedness), Fika from Sweden (intentional pause), Kaizen from Japan (continuous improvement), and Sisu from Finland (inner courage). Life in Practice grew from the meeting point of guided journaling and this global wisdom. Each month centers one concept and explores it through prompts, gentle self‐care practices, and simple mantras. Instead of telling you to “journal more,” it offers a clear, themed path that meets you where you are. How Life in Practice Works I wanted Life in Practice to feel like a steady companion - something you can return to during busy mornings, quiet evenings, or small pauses between responsibilities. Each month opens with an introduction to the theme, followed by weekly posts with daily prompts, self‐care actions, and mantras. There’s a mid‐month check‐in to help you adjust and an end‐of‐month reflection to honor your progress. Journaling is proven to support emotional processing, reduce stress, and help people make meaning from their experiences. This practice turns that research into something simple and humane: a few sentences at a time that help you see yourself more clearly. Ubuntu and the Heart of Black History Month February’s theme is Ubuntu, which sits at the center of Black History Month’s focus on resilience, brilliance, and creativity. Often expressed as “I am because we are”, Ubuntu reminds us that we become ourselves through the people who raised us, challenged us, protected us, and made room for us. This month’s prompts invite you to notice where you’ve been deeply seen, name the values you inherited from your community, and practice inclusion, mutual support, shared laughter, and the courage to admire others out loud. Sankofa, Chi, and Your Ongoing Story Later in the year, Sankofa invites you to “go back and get it”, retrieving lessons, strengths, and unfinished grief from your past. Chi, from Igbo cosmology, turns your attention to the spark within you - your purpose, your gifts, and the environments where you feel most yourself. These Black-rooted philosophies sit alongside concepts like Fika, Kaizen, and Sisu as essential threads, reminding us that Black cultures have long offered profound language for surviving, thriving, and imagining new futures. Resilience, Brilliance, and Creativity in Your Own Handwriting For me, celebrating resilience means recognizing the ways you’ve bent without breaking and giving yourself tools, like guided journaling, to keep bending back toward wholeness. Celebrating brilliance means honoring the wisdom you carry, the values you’ve inherited, and the gifts you offer, even when no one is clapping. Celebrating creativity means making deliberate space for joy, imagination, and possibility, even when the world is loud and demanding. A few minutes of writing each day can become a quiet act of resistance and renewal, a way of saying, “My story matters. My mind and heart deserve care. I am still becoming.” In this season of honoring Black history, Life in Practice is my offering: a year-long guided journal that helps you weave resilience, brilliance, and creativity into the fabric of your everyday life and keep writing the next chapter, one prompt at a time. Join the practice ➡️ lifeinpracticejournal.substack.com

Expanding Social Connections, Outreach, and Mental Wellness Across Generations The Juanita C. Grant Foundation is proud to announce the launch of Forward Together , a transformative initiative designed to strengthen mental wellness and social connectedness across communities. Built on three dynamic pillars, Forward Together empowers individuals of all ages to thrive through meaningful multigenerational relationships, motivational outreach calls, and practical wellness strategies. 🌱 Forward Wellness — Where Belonging Thrives The first pillar focuses on rebuilding social connections as a pathway to mental wellness. Through interactive workshops and guided presentation sessions, participants will: Explore the interconnections between social connectedness, lived experience, and emotional health Develop personalized mental wellness plans with achievable daily goals Learn practical strategies to foster a sense of belonging and purpose 🤝 Forward Unity — Sharing Voices and Strengthening Futures The second pillar, Forward Unity, bridges generations through intentional, sustainable friendships. Our co-generational and intergenerational model includes: Activities that celebrate shared experiences, the gift of wisdom, and the brilliance of youth Power-sharing education to promote mutual respect and appreciation for each generation Tools to permanently eliminate social isolation by fostering deep, reciprocal bonds Trainings for older adult and youth advocates to facilitate co-generation and intergeneration programs in their communities 📞 Forward Village Connection — Building Resilience Through Connections Inspired by our successful Village Connector Experience outreach program launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, this pillar empowers older adults to re-engage with friends, family, and the community. Key components include: Lifelong skills in setting achievable goals, conquering challenges, and making new social connections Support systems that reinforce belonging and mental wellness through social connection Measurable outcomes demonstrating gains in social connectedness and improved mental wellness A Movement Toward a More Connected Future Together, these pillars form a powerful framework for healing, growth, and unity. Forward Together is more than a program—it’s a movement toward a more connected, compassionate future. 📧 For partnership opportunities, program details, or to support our mission, contact us at ogrant@jcgfdn.org  🌐 Visit us at www.juanitaCgrantfoundation.org

Life is full of ups and downs, and our emotions often ride the waves with us. Some days we feel light and hopeful, while other days can feel heavy and overwhelming. Because emotions are such a central part of being human, I’ve developed a simple framework to help navigate them with more clarity and resilience. It rests on three pillars: Emotional Optimism, Emotional Bravery, and Emotional Efficiency. I use the word emotional intentionally. We are emotional beings, and while we can’t always control what we feel, we can choose how we respond. This framework is about moving through emotions productively, rather than getting stuck in them. Emotional Optimism This is the ability to see possibility even when life feels hard. Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring pain or pretending everything is fine. It means remembering that tomorrow can be better, because you’ve already survived every hard day you’ve faced so far. For example, after a difficult conversation with a loved one, it’s easy to spiral into self-doubt. But optimism reminds you that feelings are temporary, and you have the power to shift your inner dialogue. No one else can rewrite your negative self-talk—only you can. Emotional Bravery Optimism is the mindset, but bravery is the action. It’s about taking a step forward instead of sitting still in discomfort. Maybe you had a fight with a friend and feel hurt. Emotional bravery is reaching out the next day to say, “Yesterday was tough for me. Can we talk about it again when you’re ready?” Bravery doesn’t erase fear or sadness—it simply means you act anyway. Emotional Efficiency The third pillar is about speed and momentum. The more you practice optimism and bravery, the faster you can move through emotional turbulence. Think about the last time you faced disappointment—maybe missing out on an opportunity or experiencing rejection. The first time, it might have taken days to recover. But with practice, you learn your own triggers, and you can bounce back in hours instead of days. Efficiency doesn’t mean rushing your feelings; it means not letting them hold you hostage. At its core, this framework is about movement. Emotions are real, powerful, and deeply human—but they don’t have to define us. By practicing optimism, bravery, and efficiency, we can keep moving forward, even when life feels heavy. Michael Bare, ISHC Board Treasurer Chief Executive Officer Bare International

As another school year begins, I’m reminded that learning isn’t confined to the classroom, it happens throughout our lives. In my Chinese heritage, there’s a famous saying attributed to the philosopher Confucius: 三人行, 必有我師”, which translates to “When three persons walk together, there is always a teacher among them.” The wisdom is simple yet profound: yes there is always something to learn from others. Recently, I had the privilege of learning from S. Orlene Grant, Founder and CEO of this Foundation, during a workshop sponsored by the Jewish Federations of North America’s Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care. Alongside Lorenzo Ramirez of Colorado, we spoke on a panel about how a person-centered, trauma-informed (PCTI) approach shaped our caregiving journeys. Orlene shared movingly about caring for her late parents, who had endured the realities of life in segregated America. Though we came from different backgrounds—African American, Latino, and Chinese immigrant—we all understood the critical importance of acknowledging past traumas in the lives of those we care for. PCTI care, introduced in 2015 by the federal Administration for Community Living (ACL), is an approach to services that integrates an understanding of trauma into programs, policies, and practices. The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) has been a leader in championing this model, particularly for Holocaust survivors. I first encountered PCTI principles through a JFNA webinar during the pandemic, and it changed my caregiving approach. JFNA defines PCTI as “a holistic model of care that prioritizes health and well-being by accounting for the role of trauma across the life course, resisting re-traumatization, and promoting strength, agency, and dignity.” For me, these principles became essential while caring for my late mother. My parents, immigrants from China, carried the deep scars of war and displacement. Understanding those experiences helped me become a more effective advocate in navigating the healthcare system on their behalf. For example, when completing medical intake forms, I often couldn’t provide information about previous generations—my parents had fled their hometown during the Communist army’s siege, leaving family and records behind. I made sure to explain this to my mother’s doctors so they understood the gaps in her medical history.  Before adulthood, my parents had already endured the Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) and, in the late 1940s, years of displacement during the Chinese Civil War. They were detained in a refugee camp in Southeast Asia for nearly four years before being rescued to Taiwan. These years of illness, malnutrition, and hardship took a lasting toll on their health—challenges that resurfaced decades later when I was their caregiver. During the workshop, Lorenzo and Orlene shared equally moving accounts of caring for loved ones whose lives were marked by trauma. Together, we recognized what the ACL calls “the long-term and adverse consequences of trauma” and how PCTI care empowers caregivers to respond with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and advocacy. Together on stage, we shared a bond across cultures and were united in knowing that we had tried to do our best as family caregivers for those we loved.