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The Power of Volunteerism: Supporting Aging in Place
Online Event
Details
Your Roadmap for Successful Aging (YRSA)
We have teamed up with Cindy Koch from Aging at 5280 to provide this free series. Cindy and her team will be discussing a wide range of aging topics.
Join Aging at 5280 Founder and Owner, Cindy Koch and Elder Care Manager, Karen Summers as they speak with Executive Director, Hilary Simmons, about the organization, A Little Help.
Hilary will be sharing with us the power of volunteerism. A little help is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering older adults to thrive in their homes and communities. Through our network of passionate volunteers, we foster meaningful connections across generations, creating stronger, more engaged neighborhoods.
A Little Help connects volunteers with older adults to provide essential support, including transportation, yard work, friendly visits, tech assistance, and more. As communities change, many older adults face challenges in staying connected and maintaining their homes. Our volunteers step in to offer not just practical support but also companionship and a sense of belonging.
This event is cosponsored by the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, Aging at 5280, and UCCS.
Speakers
Hilary Simmons
A Little Help
Hilary Simmons has over fifteen years of experience as a director for various organizations and small businesses, including six and a half years as the Program Director with A Little Help. She has honed skills in servant leadership, strategic, fiscal, and operational planning, fundraising and investor relations, program development and implementation, community and relationship building, and business analytics consulting. In addition to her professional experience, Hilary founded her own LLC to perform financial analytics services, has served as a board treasurer for several organizations, and has been active in her local, and larger, community.
At A Little Help, Hilary began as the part-time Administrative Assistant and, within a year, earned and built her role as the Program Director. As a growing organization, she and former Executive Director Dr. Paul Ramsey grew A Little Help’s staff from a two- to ten-person team and expanded ALH’s impact from four neighborhoods to ten counties throughout Colorado, while maintaining a hyper-local focus in each community.
Hilary earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University in Psychology and English and earned her Master of Public Health degree (emphasis: Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, certificate: Global Health) from the University of Pittsburgh. She serves as the Vice President of the national Village to Village Network board, in the Older Adults Special Interest Seat on the Denver Regional Council of Governments' Transportation Advisory Commitee, and as a board member of the Colorado Center for Aging.
Karen Summers
Elder care Manager
Aging at 5280
Karen Summers is an Elder Care Manager with Aging at 5280, a company that specializes in senior placement and referral services for elders in Colorado. With nearly 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Karen has dedicated her career to improving the lives of older adults.
Karen received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Colorado State University, which provided her with a strong foundation in understanding the mental and emotional needs of her clients. Her professional journey has been marked by a deep commitment to elder care, and she has become a trusted figure in her community.
Karen is actively involved in the Colorado Placement and Referral Alliance (COPRA). This affiliation reflects her dedication to staying current with best practices and industry standards, ensuring that she provides the highest quality service to those in her care.
Known for her passion and empathy, Karen puts her heart into helping her clients find the best solutions to their wants and needs. Her approach is client-centered, focusing on individual preferences and providing personalized plans that enhance the quality of life for elders. Karen’s work is not just a profession but a calling, and she continues to make a significant impact on the lives of many older adults in Colorado.
Cindy Koch
Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS), MA
Aging at 5280
Cindy Koch is the founder and owner of Aging at 5280, a company that specializes in senior placement and referral services for elder seniors in Colorado. She is one of the first in the country to become a Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS). Cindy received her Masters degree from the University of Denver in Organization Management and Leadership and wrote her thesis on “Aging in Colorado”. Cindy is a founding member of Colorado Placement and Referral Alliance (COPRA) as well as, the Past-President of the National Placement & Referral Alliance (NPRA) Cindy is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who has helped shaped the industry of elder living into a viable and ethical industry. She works with heart to find holistic and well-considered solutions for elders, always ensuring their needs and goals are met.
Sponsors
