Nonprofit organization St. Johns County Council on Aging held its annual meeting of the COA Board of Directors on March 21 at COA’s River House in St. Augustine. Members of the public attended the meeting with the board of directors and COA staff.
New members who had joined the board over the course of the previous year, Linda Ducat, Sheriff Robert Hardwick, Roger Kline and Casey Van Rysdam, were introduced. Dr. Todd Batenhorst presented the slate of nominated officers for the coming year. Elected were President Steve Harrison, Vice President Michele Carmines, Secretary Len Tucker and Treasurer Casey Van Rysdam.
COA Executive Director Becky Yanni reported increases in services and programs across the board in 2023. Notably, participation at COA’s senior centers increased 53% and River House lifelong learning program participation increased 76%. Sunshine Center adult day care participation increased 11%, and participation in COA’s Integrative Memory Enhancement Program increased 60%. Nutrition services, including home-delivered Meals on Wheels and congregate meals, increased by 11%.
Yanni detailed plans to provide greater safety and accessibility to COA’s Coastal Community Center in St. Augustine. The Shelter and Shade project will result in an elevated, covered and safer bus pull-through entry to the center. The phased renovation plans include sidewalks that will make pedestrian traffic from nearby neighborhoods easier and safer to traverse. Remaining funding required for the project is being sought from members of the community.
“We look forward to working closely with our partners — our donors, funders, volunteers and all COA champions — to continue providing the quality programs and services our community’s elders so need and deserve,” Yanni said.
For more information on supporting the Shelter and Shade project and COA’s work in service to older adults and caregivers in St. Johns County, contact COA’s Amy Robinson at 904-209-3700 or arobinson@coasjc.org. For information on the comprehensive programs and services COA offers, go to coasjc.org.
