Your AARP: Georgia

November 2009

Fight the cuts — AARP is calling for a special session of the legislature to restore funding to an ombudsman program designed to protect frail older residents of long-term care facilities in Georgia. In 2008 the program served more than 240,000 people statewide.

The program is one of several serving older Georgians that have sustained major cuts as lawmakers grapple with the state's continuing budget deficit. Gov. Sonny Perdue, R, notified most state agencies at the end of July to cut their budgets by 5 percent. The Department of Human Services eliminated a popular kinship care program, the senior legal hotline and more than 135,000 hours of respite care. In August, notices went out to Area Agencies on Aging to cut 12 full-time ombudsman positions.

To protest the cuts, call the governor's office at 404-656-1776. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/ga.

September 2009

Mutual support — Like Arkansas, Georgia is one of 11 states in which AARP is making special efforts to increase its visibility in diverse communities. A three-year campaign in the 10-county Atlanta area aims to recruit more African American and Hispanic members.

Volunteer ambassadors representing churches or other places of worship are telling members of their faith-based communities about AARP programs and services that may meet a need or further a goal. In addition, the ambassadors are recruiting volunteers for AARP Tax-Aide, Driver Safety and advocacy programs.

To volunteer or to learn more, go to www.aarp.org/ga. See also www.aarp.org/aarp/black_community/ and www.aarpsegundajuventud.org.

July-August 2009

Lending a hand — For Atlanta area residents and other Georgians who have been squeezed by the current economic crisis, a new toll-free AARP help line offers assistance with job searches, tax filing, food bank referrals and other services.

"We want to help those who may be in need of assistance for the first time and do not know where to turn," says Ernest Arceneaux, AARP associate state director. Help line volunteers will refer callers to AARP Foundation programs as well as to Atlanta area resources, such as affordable housing agencies, foreclosure help lines, reputable credit counseling services and transportation assistance.

Call 1-877-677-0677 toll-free Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.