CBS4 Miami news anchor Rudabeh Shahbazi; United Way of Broward County President and CEO Kathleen Cannon

SoFIA, a non-profit dedicated to bettering the socio-economic lives of South Florida’s aging community, celebrated another year of progress during SoFIA Celebrates: Uniting Communities presented by AARP and FPL. The gala honored community leaders including CBS4 Miami news anchor Rudabeh Shahbazi, Comcast, Jim Moran Foundation, The Frederick A. Deluca Foundation, Jewish Federation of Broward County, Community Foundation of Broward, United Way of Broward County and dedicated SoFIA volunteers for their impactful work with the aging community.

FPL Corporate External Affairs Director Juliet Roulhac; SoFIA Board Chair Lynn Brewer; AARP Florida’s Director of State Operations Dionne Polite

“This year SoFIA celebrated its 55^th year serving the community and the future of the organization has never looked brighter,” said Lynn Brewer, SoFIA board chair. “Our team has worked hard to advance SoFIA’s innovative mission through new programing focused on underserved senior populations like the LGBT community and underemployed older adults. We are also focused on intergenerational engagement, which continues to bring a new level of energy to our overall mission.”

The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Director Dr. Angelicka Schlanger; Jewish Federation of Broward County CEO Bruce Yudewitz; Community Foundation of Broward Vice President Sheri Brown; United Way of Broward County Chief Program Officer Maria Hernandez

During SoFIA Celebrates the Dignity in Aging Collaborative was recognized with the Think Award for its longstanding and cohesive support of the senior community. Organizations included in the collaborative are The Jim Moran Foundation, The Frederick A. Deluca Foundation, Jewish Federation of Broward County, Community Foundation of Broward and United Way of Broward County.

SoFIA Board Chair and Advisory Council members Ed French, Ted Perrell, Lynn Brewer, Aleida Espinosa, Todd Radosevich

The Act Award was presented to CBS4 Miami news anchor Rudabeh Shahbazi, whose on-air programing has shed light on the pressing needs of older adults and innovative solutions SoFIA and other organizations offer. Comcast was the recipient of the Thrive Award for offering discounted, affordable high-speed internet to seniors so they can keep up with current events, stay in touch with family and friends and access resources they may need.

SoFIA volunteer honorees Thelma Love, Geraldine Darrisaw, Christopher Couzens, Albert Durso; SoFIA Senior Director of RSVP Kathy Leone (middle)

During SoFIA Celebrates Piney Grove Boys Academy elementary student Nathan Smith and his foster grandparent, Dorothy Chestnut, spoke about SoFIA’s Foster Grandparent Program and the impact the innovative program has had on their lives. 

AARP Florida’s Director of State Operations Dionne Polite; Piney Grove Boys Academy elementary student Nathan Smith; SoFIA foster grandparent, Dorothy Chestnut

Volunteers from each of SoFIA’s community programs were also honored for their service, dedication and commitment to SoFIA:

• Thelma Love, Foster Grandparent Program volunteer and Fort Lauderdale resident
• Christopher Couzens, SoFIA Tech Services volunteer and Fort Lauderdale resident
• Geraldine Darrisaw, Senior Companion Program volunteer and Fort Lauderdale resident
• Joyce Latimore, Legacy Program volunteer and Pembroke Pines resident
• Albert Durso, RSVP Program volunteer and Weston resident

In addition to AARP and FPL, other sponsors included Aetna, Citrix, Comcast, Intuition Robotics, Sunshine Health, Walmart, Responsive Home Care, BMK Media, Pierson Grant PR, Ultimate Software, Kaufman Rossin and Friedman Elder Law Department.

To learn more about SoFIA visit www.thesofia.org.

Oakland Park Commissioner Tim Lonergan; Tamarac Commissioner Julie Fishman

About SoFIA

A non-profit think and act tank, the South Florida Institute on Aging (SoFIA) creates and delivers socio-economic support programs for South Florida seniors that can also serve as a model for other communities with aging populations. For more than 50 years, SoFIA has provided innovative services tailored to meet seniors’ caregiving and respite, civic engagement and economic security needs. This past year, SoFIA’s 500 experienced senior volunteers provided over a quarter of a million hours to serve nearly 2,000 residents including: veterans who received the mentoring of fellow veterans; seniors, disabled adults and caregivers who were enabled to live independently through caregiving and companionship programs; children in underserved communities that saw a 90 percent improvement in literacy skills through the Foster Grandparent program; and over 250 seniors graduated from SoFIA’s technology courses. Visit www.thesofia.org/celebrate for more information.

(Photos courtesy of WorldRedEye.com)