Let’s Celebrate Older Americans Daily!

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Each month has its unique monikers in relation to observations or awareness.  For example, February is American Heart Month where we take time to have a greater knowledge of heart […]

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Spotlight on Title III Services: Legal Advocacy for Older Americans Project

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Founded in 1909, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) is the oldest legal aid provider in the state. SMRLS, through a diverse, respectful and fair working environment, and legal assistance and community education activities, promotes and respects the dignity of low-income persons and seeks new and effective solutions to the critical and common legal problems of low-income persons which arise in a broad community context.

MNRAAA awards SMRLS federal Title III-B Older Americans Act funds for the Legal Advocacy for Older Americans Project (LAOAP). Through this project, SMRLS represents people 60 years or older with a focus on those in greatest social and economic need. Although SMRLS does not apply a means test for representing older adults, they direct their representation to those most in need.

“SMRLS is an organization committed to equal justice under the law”, states Ray Beckel, staff attorney in the Mankato SMRLS office. “The primary service areas for SMRLS Legal Advocacy for Older Americans Project are helping to protect the elderly from abuse, helping them to get the financial, medical and food support that they need, and helping low income elderly people to obtain the housing, protections and services they need to live a comfortable and healthy life without undue or inordinate stress.”

Because SMRLS does not cover all 27 counties in the MNRAAA service area, they sub-contract with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) for LAOAP services in Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Meeker, Renville, Swift and Yellow Medicine counties. People residing in these counties can contact MMLA at 888.360.3666. For those residing in the remaining 17 MNRAAA counties call SMRLS at 888.575.2954.

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Linda Giersdorf, Executive Director of MNRAAA to Retire

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Linda Giersdorf has announced her retirement as the Executive Director of the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA).

In her 35 years of service to the MNRAAA, Linda has served in a variety of positions advancing from an entry level position to executive director; the position she has held for the past 25 years. Through her work she has demonstrated her commitment to enriching the lives of all people and her passion for older adults, caregivers and all those who serve and support them. Linda has been the chair of the Minnesota Association of Area Agencies on Aging (m4A) since 2014. She has been an active member and former treasurer of the Minnesota Social Services Association (MSSA) and a board member of the Chesley Center on Aging.

“Working on behalf of MNRAAA’s mission to provide advocacy, information, resources and assistance so that older adults can maintain the lifestyle of their choice has been a rewarding career,” Linda said. “I am proud of our Board of Directors and to our talented staff for their commitment to fulfilling MNRAAA’s mission.  It has been my privilege to lead this multi-faceted and amazing organization.”

Linda has played an active role in effecting change throughout her years of service. She has supported and advocated for older adults to thrive in southwest Minnesota and maintain the lifestyle of their choice.  As the executive director for MNRAAA and the chair of m4A, she advocated for the rights of older adults and caregivers with elected officials; focusing her efforts on evidence-based health promotion programs to maintain the health and well-being of older adults and caregivers.

“During her tenure as executive director, Linda has led MNRAAA through both great structural change and the way the organization, and its staff, deliver services to older adults in southwestern Minnesota,” said Bob Roesler, MNRAAA Board Chair.

Linda’s last day will be Friday, October 5, 2018.

A MNRAAA search committee has launched a regional search for her replacement. Visit this page for more information.

About the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging

As the designated area agency on aging for 27 counties in southwest Minnesota, the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging is a catalyst in building communities where older adults live with dignity, mutual respect and shared responsibilities across generations and cultures.

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