Advocacy
Advocacy in Action: Protecting What Matters Most In times of challenge, advocacy becomes essential.
Advocacy isn’t just for professionals. It’s for all of us. When you speak up, when you help a neighbor take action, when you share what’s happening in your life or the life of someone you love, you become part of something bigger. Here’s how you can get involved: • Stay informed. Visit advocate.pcoa.org for updates and action alerts. • Contact your representatives. Let them know aging issues matter to you. • Share your story. Add your voice at pcoa.org/shareyourstory. • Support the work. Donate at donate.pcoa.org , volunteer at volunteer.pcoa.org , and spread the word. Together, we can ensure that older adults in Pima County are supported, respected, and heard today and in the future. Aging is not a niche issue; it’s a universal experience.
This work is rooted in our mission and driven by community. We know that aging is not a niche issue; it’s a universal experience. The strength of our community depends on how we treat those who have come before us, and how we prepare for the future we all share. In the past several months, our team has met with local, state, and federal leaders to share the real-life impact of budget shortfalls on older adults and caregivers. We’ve brought data, yes, but more importantly, we’ve brought stories. Stories of neighbors who rely on home-delivered meals. Of caregivers stretched to the brink. Of older adults navigating systems that weren’t built with them in mind. And we need more of these stories. Your voice matters. Your experience matters. If you’ve been impacted by any of PCOA’s programs, or if you’re concerned about the future for older adults in our community, please consider sharing your story. Visit pcoa.org/shareyourstory to make your voice part of this movement.
Across Pima County and the nation, older adults are facing unprecedented challenges: the cost of living continues to rise, affordable housing is increasingly scarce, and public funding for aging services is under threat. Here in our community, we are seeing the impact firsthand. Programs that provide meals, care coordination, and social connections are at risk. Families who count on these services are being asked to do more with less. At PCOA, we’ve always believed that older adults deserve better. And we’re doing something about it. Now more than ever, we are doubling down on advocacy and raising our voices to protect critical services, promote age-friendly policies, and ensure that older adults are not overlooked in budget decisions at every level of government.
The Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Aging and Adult Services invites you to take the AZ State Plan on Aging survey. Your participation and feedback will be critical to the quality of aging services in Arizona. Visit bit.ly/AZStatePlanonAging and complete the survey by July 31, 2025. TAKE THE SURVEY
Page 16 | July & August 2025, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online