2024 Events

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation conducted an Elder Abuse and Fraud Prevention Training at the Maryland Recreation and Park Association’s Annual Senior Conference. The training was held January 11, 2024 at the Rockville Senior Center in Rockville, Maryland. Ms. S. Orlene Grant, President and CEO conducted the training to MRPA members and professional staff. This is the first of the elder abuse and fraud prevention trainings for 2024 geared to the unique position of the members and staff to observe changes in behavior in some of their older adult clients that may indicate signs of elder abuse. Being educated to the “red flags” of elder abuse which includes financial fraud can help alert an individual when you may need to check with the individual if they are experiencing something traumatic their lives. Taking “concrete steps” to intervene and if necessary to report suspected abuse interrupts the cycle of secrecy surrounding elder abuse.

2023 Events

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation held its Elder Abuse and Fraud Prevention Series (EAFS) on December 5, 2023 at Cameron Grove, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The Juanita C. Grant Foundation is helping to eradicate the rampant attack by scammers on older adults. We also recognize many forms of elder abuse go unreported due to cultural taboos, immigration status or feelings of shame and embarrassment. Our core partnerships with law enforcement includes the US Department of Justice/Elder Justice Initiative, Federal Trade Commission, Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PGC Police Department Financial Crimes Unit, PGC Family Justice Center and the Maryland States Attorney Office. The Foundation’s long term goal is that EAFS trainees will create a wave of information SHARING throughout Prince George’s County. Residents will recognize the warning signs of abuse, take concrete steps to avoid abuse. Ultimately, trainees will create a safer community by educating each other on eradicating elder abuse and fraud.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation was pleased to serve as an event sponsor for the November 3^rd, 2023 Senior Veterans Celebration given by M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. Over 470 Veterans (60+) residing in Prince George’s County attended. The event was held at Martins Crosswinds, Greenbelt, Maryland.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation was very pleased to conduct our Elder Abuse and Fraud Prevention Training Series on November 1, 2023 at The Skybridge at Town Center located at 260 Sky Bridge Dr., Largo, MD. Our opening speaker was the Honorable Kym Taylor, Maryland State Delegate, District 22. The Juanita C. Grant Foundation recognizes that scammers are targeting older adults to a tune of $2.9 Billion financial loss of nest eggs and home ownership. Elder abuse is unreported due to cultural taboos, feelings of shame and embarrassment. Our core partnerships are with M-NCPPC Prince George’s Parks and Recreation, US Department of Justice/Elder Justice Initiative, Federal Trade Commission, Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Prince George’s County (PGC) Police Department Financial Crimes Unit, PGC Family Justice Center and the Maryland States Attorney Office. The Foundation’s long term goal is that EAFS trainees will create a wave of information SHARING throughout Prince George’s County. Residents will recognize the warning signs of abuse, take concrete steps to avoid abuse. Ultimately, trainees will create a safer community by educating each other on eradicating elder abuse and fraud.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation presented our Elder Abuse and Fraud Prevention Training Series at Suitland Community Center. The event was held September 27, 2023 with our panelists, Dr. Denise McCain, Executive Director of the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center, Detective Cruise of the Prince George’s County Police Financial Crimes Unit and Tamera Fines, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Maryland. Opening remarks were provided by Prince George’s County Council Vice Chair, Wala Blegay and District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha. The panel was moderated by S. Orlene Grant, JCGF President and CEO. Many of the concerns discussed ranged from such elder abuse as bullying of residents in senior apartments to fraudulent practices of eviction. The panel members shared how to recognize the “red flags” of elder abuse and scams in addition to taking concrete steps to avoid victimization. All attendees received a resource bag containing information on scams, signs of elder abuse and contact information to report suspected elder abuse and fraud to law enforcement at the Federal, State and local level.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation was pleased to participate as an event sponsor for the second year at the M-NCPPC Parks Department of Park and Recreation, Prince George’s Department of Family Services and Prince George’s County Special Programs Division’s Senior Picnic & Fitness Day. The event was held September 22, 2023 at Six Flags Great America Pavilion in Bowie, Maryland. Over 2,000 older adult residents took advantage of outdoor fitness exercises, line dances, raffles and many more opportunities to share time with friends. Our volunteers also were able to initiate our year long “listening tour” asking participants to rate 7 quality of life categories in terms of value or concern to them.

S. Orlene Grant, Juanita C. Grant Foundation President and CEO attended the ribbon cutting ceremony on May 20, 2023 for the newly renovated District Heights Senior Center. Mayor Cynthia Miller presided over the ceremony with the keynote address given by State senator Melony Griffith, Dist. 25, Maryland. The theme of the ceremony was “Moving the Needle, Celebrating people 50+ Demonstrating Action that Creates social Impact in their Community.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation exhibited at the Prince George’s County Family Services “Aging Unbound Information Fair” on May 16^th, 2023. Older Americans Month which is celebrated in May and is seen as an opportunity to reposition “aging” in a joyful, exciting time of life that is “unbound”.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation completed its 2023 Spring 50+ Refresh Bootcamp on May 3^rd, 2023. This is our 2^nd 50+ Refresh Bootcamp conducted in partnership with a grant from Prince George’s County Employ Prince George’s. The 50+ Refresh Bootcamp equips members to be highly valued job candidates to prospective employers. Bootcamp is a high-energy 7 week intense course providing personal instruction on computer skills, finding “hidden” jobs, establishing a career plan, techniques to overcome ageism, honing interview and presentation skills, developing a flexible resume, and incorporating problem-solving customer service skills. One-to-one attention by seasoned workforce instructors will accelerate the development of skillsets preparing members to be competitive in the job market.

April 1, 2023

Juanita C. Grant Foundation, President and CEO, S. Orlene Grant presented at the first Home for Life 2023 Expo given by Fairfax Village-In the City. The event was held on March 31, 2023 at The Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax City, Virginia with over 100 attendees. The title of Ms. Grant’s presentation was “Tackling Loneliness for a New Era of Connection” which addressed the causes of social isolation and loneliness among older adults and an interactive exercise to develop new skills in connecting with others.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation is expanding its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative with the appointment of Resa Lovelace, Founder & CEO 

RBL Theory, LLC to the Juanita C. Grant Foundation National Advisory Council. RBL Theory works with organizations to create inclusive environments.

S. Orlene Grant, President and CEO, Juanita C. Grant Foundation was interviewed by Vivian Nava-Schellinger, J.D.

Director, Community Partnerships & Network Activation, National Council on Aging (NCOA). Ms. Grant represents the Juanita C. Grant Foundation on NCOA’s Equity in Aging Collaborative. The Equity in Aging Collaborative (EAC) was formed in 2022 to address issues of poverty among older adults who have and continue to face inequities across their lifetimes. The EAC is also advancing the Elder Index as a critical way to modernize how we measure poverty for older adults.

Jazz Brunch February 11, 2023

Juanita C. Grant Foundation was invited by Wala Blegay, Prince George’s County Council Vice Chair and District 6 Councilwoman to be one of two exhibitors at her Jazz Brunch February 11, 2023 at Harmon Hall in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Juanita C. Grant Foundation’s President and CEO, S. Orlene Grant and Board Treasurer, Michael Bare attended the event. Ms. Grant was asked to present remarks regarding the upcoming 2023 Spring Session of the 50+ Refresh Bootcamp, the Village Connector Experience outreach program and the 2023 Countywide Elder Abuse and Fraud Prevention Training Series kicking off March 13^th.

Meet and Greet” event January 26, 2023

Juanita C. Grant Foundation Board of Director Kofi Impraim conversed with Prince George’s County District 7 County Council Member Kristal Oriadha at a “Meet and Greet” event January 26, 2023.

2022 Events

50+ Refresh Bootcamp with a celebratory graduation ceremony | 2022

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation completed its inaugural 50+ Refresh Bootcamp with a celebratory graduation ceremony for all the Bootcamp participants. District 6 Councilwoman Wala Blegay who is also the Prince George’s County Council Chair was the keynote speaker. The Juanita C. Grant Foundation was awarded a special population workforce training grant from Employ Prince George’s Jobs Largo Encore program to conduct a series of specialized enhanced skills training for older adults. The 7 week course provides and energetic, motivating curriculum to prepare older adults to be competitive job candidates. The curriculum concentrates on transferable job skills such as MS office skills, online and in person meetings, customer service orientation, group problem solving and group project skills. The Bootcamp prepares individuals for remote and in person interviews, developing an age proof resume, finding “hidden” jobs online, establishing a business ready social media profile and managing “triggers” and “ageism”. Our next Bootcamp starts March 2023.

Juanita C. Grant Foundation President and CEO, S. Orlene Grant was honored at the Chinese American Community Health Services 2022 Annual Meeting & Appreciation Reception for community partners and volunteers on December 18, 2022 at Potomac Community Center in Potomac, Maryland. Ms. Grant was being recognized as the Chair of the Fairfax County Long Term Care Coordination Council’s (LTCCC) Equity in Aging and Disabilities Committee, Vice Chair of the LTCCC and Chair of the LTCCC Steering Committee. Keynote speakers included Montgomery County Executive March Elrich, and Director of Health

Gloria Addo-Ayensu, MD, MPH, Director of Health for Fairfax County.

50+ Refresh Bootcamp members attend the December 14, 2022 Job Fair at Prince George’s Community College hosted by Employ Prince George’s. Bootcamp members applied their new Bootcamp skills in interviewing, presentation, customer service interaction techniques. Bootcamp members conducted online research of the prospective employers and fined tuned their resumes for positions of interest. Bootcamp participants stated their “confidence levels were high due to the support and intense instruction received during Bootcamp in computers, interviewing, career planning, establishing a professional social media presence and repositioning their resumes.”

December 8-9, 2022 Alliance of Nonprofits Insurance Board of Directors Meeting

Juanita C. Grant Foundation’s S. Orlene Grant attended the winter Alliance of Nonprofits Insurance (ANI) Board of Directors meeting at the corporate headquarters in Santa Cruz, California. Ms. Grant was elected to the ANI Board of Directors February 2022. Ms. Grant is a member of the ANI Investment Committee and Development Committee. Ms. Grant was recently appointed to the new Risk Management Committee which starts in 2023. ANI is part of Nonprofits Insurance Alliance which was created in 1989 by Pamela Davis, Founder, President and CEO. ANI is the only 501 3 ( c ) insurance company that serves provides coverage exclusively to nonprofits.

Juanita C. Grant Foundation partners with Employ Prince George’s Encore Program to conduct the inaugural 50+ Refresh Bootcamp

On November 14, 2022. The Bootcamp in an intensive seven week course especially designed to meet the unique needs of older adults returning to the workforce. The classes are highly interactive with expert teachers in the critical areas of computer skills, presentation and interview techniques, establishing a professional social media presence, finding “hidden” jobs and building self-confidence. Each bootcamp members receives a laptop and weekly stipend.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation exhibited at the Catalog of Philanthropy DC Community Changemakers event held on November 9, 2022 at Planet Word museum in Washington DC. As a member of the Catalog of Philanthropy (COP) DC.org class of 2022-2023, the Juanita C. Grant Foundation shared our core programs of Elder Abuse and Fraud Prevention Training, combating social isolation through our Village Connector Experience outreach efforts and providing targeted workforce training through our 50+ Refresh Bootcamp with 300 attendees and donors. This was a great opportunity to network with other COP classmates and meet the COP board members.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation presented its Elder Abuse and Fraud Prevention Training Series on October 19, 2022 in partnership with Parks and Recreation M-NCPPC at the Southern Area Aquatics Recreation Complex in Brandywine, MD, Prince George’s County. Over 40 participants received training on “How Not to Be A Victim”. Older adult fraud schemes resulted in $1.6 Billion loss to seniors since 2021 resulting in loss of homes, bank accounts drained and being defrauded out of life savings. Scammer are targeting older adults at a record rate beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees received information on concrete steps to take to avoid becoming a victim in addition to recognizing “red” flags to stay away from and information on which law enforcement agencies to contact. The training panel consisted of the State Attorney’s Office, US Federal Trade Commission, US Department of Justice-Elder Justice Division and the Prince George’s County Police Department-Financial Crimes Division. 

Older Workers Job & Resource Fair @ Bowie Branch 9/23/22

October 1, 2022 The Juanita C. Grant Foundation has it’s October Board meeting at the new office location of Bare International in Fairfax, Virginia hosted by Michael Bare, Board of Directors Treasurer. The meeting also commemorated the National Council on Aging 2022 Innovator Award to S. Orlene Grant, President and CEO for the Juanita C. Grant Foundation Village Connector Experience outreach call program. Kofi Impraim was welcomed as a new Board member.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation  participated as a community resource in the Employs Prince George’s Older Workers Job and Resource Fair held at the Bowie Library, Bowie, Maryland on September 23, 2022. The Juanita C. Grant Foundation interviewed 40 applicants for the upcoming seven week hybrid 50+ Refresh Intensive Boot Camp. The 50+ Refresh Intensive Boot Camp is scheduled to start late October 2022.The Juanita C. Grant Foundation also shared information on its Elder Abuse and Fraud Prevention Training Series (EAFS) which is presented throughout Prince George’s County. The EAFS is conducted with our partnerships with the US Department of Justice Elder Initiative, the US Federal Trade Commission, the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Prince George’s County States Attorney’s Office, Prince George’s County Family Justice Center and the Prince George’s County Police Department-Financial Crimes. Potential Boot Camp applicants received information on the Juanita C. Grant Foundation’s Wellness Program anchored by the Village Connector Experience’s structured outreach call program to increase social connectedness among older adults.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation was pleased to be a sponsor for the Senior Fitness Day and Picnic given by the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County on September 16, 2022. Over 2,000 older adult residents participated in a picnic atmosphere enjoying Zumba, games and hot dogs.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation has enhanced its Elder Abuse and Fraud Prevention Training Series (EAFS) with its 2022 return to in-person events. The EAFS began in 2018 with then Prince George’s County States Attorney Angela Alsobrooks giving opening remarks at our first training session March 2018 at Oxon Hill Branch Library, Oxon Hill, Maryland. We were equally fortunate to open the Juanita C. Grant Foundation 2022 EAFS training series with States Attorney Aisha Braveboy and County Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II and At Large Member on June 21, 2022 at Harmony Hall, Fort Washington, Maryland.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation is conducting 8 EAFS sessions throughout Prince George’s County in 2022-2023. The Juanita C. Grant Foundation’s long standing partnership with Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission provides the opportunity to continue holding these vital trainings in Senior Activity Centers. The Juanita C. Grant Foundation has also expanded our law enforcement panel bringing Federal agency resources to Prince George’s County. In addition to the State’s Attorney’s Office and the Prince George’s County Municipal Police Department, we have added the US Department of Justice-Elder Justice Initiative Office, US Federal Trade Commission, the US Consumer and Financial Protection Bureau and the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center to present the most comprehensive information on current scams and prosecution trends in addition to concrete steps to avoid victimization and resource information to share with family and friends. Federal agencies also share how Federal policies are working on creating safeguards in protecting older adults.

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation: Village Connector Experience Beach Bingo

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation’s Board of Directors met June 25, 2022 for its annual strategic planning session facilitated by Octavia Caldwell, Caldwell Group. The meeting focused on enhancing JCGF’s solution based programs and services to improve the lives of older adults. Economic security, workforce re-entry, eliminating elder abuse and social isolation of older adults were the prime discussion topics.

Elder Abuse and Fraud Prevention Training Series (Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center)

JCGF President and CEO Graduates From Georgetown University Program

Transformative Ideas Embracing Aging Part 1  “Practical Steps and Emerging Trends.

JCGF President & CEO Presented With NCOA Innovator Award

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation: Village Connector Experience Button Craft Show and Tell Party

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation: Village Connector Experience Show and Tell Craft Party 

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation: Village Connector Experience Liz Farewell

Prince George’s County Commission for Women 2022 Legislative Briefing

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation: Village Connector Experience Virtual Bingo Party

2021 Events

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation: Village Connector Experience Thanksgiving & Christmas Craft Party

 Think Tank” COVID-19 Challenge

S. Orlene Grant, JCGF President and CEO was honored by the Fairfax County Virginia’s Board of Supervisors with fellow members of the Fairfax County’s Long Term Care Coordinating Council’s COVID-19 Impact & Response Committee whose work to abolish social isolation for older adults and people with disabilities was acknowledged by winning the 2021 Fairfax Area “Think Tank” COVID-19 Challenge. The project winning title: THE FRIEND MOBILE BLUEPRINT/DEVELOPMENT PLAN..

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation: Village Connector Experience Christmas in July Craft Party

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation: Village Connector Experience: Murder Storytime Highlights

Board of Directors Meeting

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation held it’s first in person board meeting since March 2020. The Board met on Saturday June 12, 2021 at the office of Bare International in Fairfax, Virginia. This was also a celebration in presenting Maggie Holmes, Founding Chair with the first Visionary Award for her outstanding and dedicated contributions to JCGF.

On The Record Commentary

S. Orlene Grant, President and CEO has provided “on the record” commentary on the Maryland Department of Aging Draft State Plan on Aging 2022-2025.

see details:

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation hosted the Cafecito

(webinar) titled “Pandemic Scams and Financial Protection for Older Adults: Tools of Prevention” via partnership coalesced by the National Council on Aging and Latinos for a Secure Retirement. The April 29^th, 2021 webinar was viewed by a nationwide audience. Speakers were S. Orlene Grant RN, MSN, JCGF President and CEO, Kofi Impraim, MBA Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation, Facility Director, Laurel-Beltsville MD Senior Activity Center, Atty. Veronica Kyriakides, Special Agent, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and Lisa Schifferle, Senior Policy Analyst, Office for Older Americans of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The panel presentation centered on learning more about increased incidents and types of elder abuse and financial fraud. The goal is with special guest speakers from law enforcement, senior community centers and non-profits to educate and raise the level of awareness to recognize scams and abuse to protect themselves, family and friends.

COVID-19 Vaccine Education & Awareness Webinar Series: Communities in Action

This webinar #1 will include speakers and content related to the importance of talking about vaccine access issues, and the challenges and opportunities to continue educating older adults, caregivers, and their families about the vaccine. Speakers will include national, regional, and community-based organizations, senior center leaders, and experts across industries. This webinar series is brought to you by partnership with Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).

S. Orlene Grant, JCGF President and CEO completed 2021 Leadership Class curriculum the conducted by American Society on Aging. The online classes were held March 15^st through March 24^th. Course attendees were nationwide from Texas, California, Florida, Hawaii and Virginia

Disrupting, Bridging, and Eliminating Social Isolation:

Engaging older Adults with the communities of color 

 Board of Director Vice Chair, Lanita Brooks Colbert was awarded the 2020 Spirit Award for Outstanding Service. Ms. Colbert has been an outstand fundraiser and program developer for the Juanita C. Grant Foundation. The award acknowledges her creativity and support in moving the Foundation forward as a national organization.

Trust, Skepticism, or Rejection (Virtual Town Hall)

Communities of Color & The covid-19 Vaccine

The Juanita C. Grant Foundation in partnership with the National Council on Aging is convening a virtual Town Hall Meeting to develop strategies and initiate a Call to Action for communities of color to connect at the local level through trusted sources, in preparation for a COVID-19 vaccine prioritizing older adults.

S. Orlene Grant, JCGF President and CEO completed the Federal Grants Proposal Writing Training Certificate Course conducted by The Grantsmanship Center. The online classes were held August 31^st through September 4^th. Course attendees were nationwide from New Mexico, California, Washington State, Puerto Rico and Virginia.

Maggie Holmes, JCGF Board Chair is being honored for her dedication and work she has contributed on behalf of Black Classical musicians, youth, performing arts and business community. Ms. Holmes will be accepting the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA) www.4caapa.org Award for Outstanding Service. CAAPA will be honoring Ms. Holmes for 17 years of dedication and other distinguished awardees in this year’s virtual "Melody of Art: Virtual Caucus Reception” at 7 pm Thursday, September 17, 2020.

S. Orlene Grant, President and CEO of Juanita C. Grant Foundation (JCGF) will be a panelist for the September 10, 2020, Latinos for a Secure Retirement Cafecito. JCGF is a partner with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and a diverse group of non-profit organizations from across the country that will host Cafecitos (coffee chats) and announce the formation of the MIPPA Partnership. This partnership coalesced by NCOA will bring resources to help families apply for money-saving benefits through the NCOA BenefitsCheckupTool© to live with dignity, purpose and security.

The diverse organizations will talk about how as non-profits, we have faced the pandemic, continue to have critical discussions on the REALITY, RESPONSE & SUPPORT needed to rectify the health, economic inequities, and impacts of COVID-19 on these diverse communities across the country.

LOCATION: Zoom and Facebook Live

DATE: September 10, 2020 

TIME: 1:00 PM EST 

REGISTRATION: bit.ly/CAFEPARTNERS

FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/345391049956007/

Information will be forthcoming of JCGF’s Cafecito on December 10, 2020 1pm.