Age-Friendly DC relies on the advice and expertise of its task force, charged with contributing to the District’s second 5-year strategic plan. The Task Force is comprised of DC agency leaders and community representatives, appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser. The three pillars symbolize Age-Friendly DC's efforts to make DC more accessible for all age groups. Within Pillars, domains are overseen by knowledgeable DC residents dedicated to each area of interest.
This new 5-year strategic plan extends the commitment to make it possible for all community members to have a positive aging experience. For the past 11 years, Age-Friendly DC has followed insights from community members, as well as guidance from the World Health Organization and AARP to address issues of concern to those who live, work, learn and play in the District. Over the past two strategic plans, Age-Friendly DC has been implemented with growing progress. Highlights from the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan Progress Evaluation include:
- Block-by-Block Walk led to safer road crossings, more accessible bus stops, street light pedestrian delays, and more sidewalk repairs
- Affordable assisted living residences have opened as a result of increases in DC government support
- Bicycle use is safer due to implementation of bike lanes, resulting in more ridership
- Villages, neighbor-to-neighbor support organizations demonstrated their value to the neighborhoods in which they have been created and have grown, with greater visibility
- Income-qualified community members are offered Safe at Home and the Single Family Rehabilitation Program to facilitate more individuals remaining in residences
- More attention has been brought to inclusive, multigenerational programs
- Washington has been recognized by the World Health Organization as a top city in the world for implementing Age-Friendly initiatives
As a Taskforce, we are motivated by this progress. We will work tirelessly to implement the 2024 - 2028 Strategic Plan in order to continue to make DC a better place to grow older.
The Age-Friendly DC Task Force members were congratulated for their service to the city. They are:
- Idrys Abdulah, DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking
- Dr. Lynn Addington, American University
- James Appleby, Gerontological Society of America
- Joon Bang, Iona Senior Services
- Sara Beckwith, DC Health
- Nickea Bradley, WMATA
- Rachel Coates, American Red Cross
- Dr. Robert Cosby, Howard University
- Cindy Cox-Roman, HelpAge
- Ciana Creighton, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services
- Tama Duffy Day, Gensler
- Dr. Jehan El-Bayoumi, Rodham Institute
- Joe Fretwell, Low Income Investment Fund
- Thomas Gore, CC Prep Academy
- Edwinta Jenkins, DC Department of Aging and Community Living
- J Michele Johnson, Office of the State Superintendent of Education
- Dr. Sheila Jones, DC Department of Human Services
- Nick Kushner, DC Department of Parks and Recreation
- Marla Lahat, Home Care Partners
- Robert L. Matthews, DC Child and Family Services Agency
- Mat McCollough, DC Office of Disabillity Rights
- Rosemary McDonnell, DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
- Wes Morrison, Federal Communications Commission
- Dr. Sandra Owen Lawson, Behavioral Programs Consultant
- Dr. Katrina Polk, DC Villages
- Jackie Reyes, Mayor's Office of Community Affairs
- Bradley Schurman, The Super Age
- Julie Seiwell, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice
- Lydia Sermons, Howard University
- Zachary Smith, DC Department of Transportation
- Adrian Sutton, DC Office of the Chief Technology Officer
- Deputy Mayor Wayne Turnage, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services
- Dolly Turner, DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking
- Wendy Wagner, George Washington University
- Jason Washington, DC Department of Housing and Community Development