May is Older Americans Month!!!

Older Americans Month is celebrated each May to honor and recognize older Americans for the contributions they make to our families, communities and society. To assist our National Aging Network and other groups plan for activities during the month of May or throughout the year, the Administration on Aging (AoA) issues a theme for Older Americans Month. This year's theme “Never Too Old to Play” encourages older Americans to stay engaged, active and involved in their own lives and in their communities.

Every year since 1963, May has been a month to appreciate and celebrate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and their contributions to our communities. The theme for Older Americans Month 2013, Unleash the Power of Age, has never been more fitting. Older Americans are productive, active, and influential members of society, sharing essential talents, wisdom, and life experience with their families, friends, and neighbors.

Community Action of Minneapolis’ – 11^th Annual Community Action Day (May3rd, 2013) honors elders in the Minneapolis Community. We will provide gardening, clean up and small chore services to 5 seniors in the area.

Presidential Proclamation - - Older Americans Month, 2013

You Can Sign the National Fuel Funds Network On-Line

Petition to Congress asking for $ 5.1 billion for LIHEAP in FY 2013

Please sign and circulate the National Fuel Funds Network online petition asking Congress to provide 5.1 billion dollars in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program
( LIHEAP) for FY 2013.

The National Fuel Funds Network works to promote and advocate for Home Energy Assistance Resources.

The National Fuel Funds Network needs the help of all members and other interested parties to deliver this vital message to Congress!

Please help them to reach their goal of 100, 000 signatures by Summer LIHEAP Action Day, July 31, 2012.

Every time a signature is added to the petition an email is sent to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Senator Daniel Inouye, Ranking Committee Chair Senator Thad
Cochran, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, and Ranking Committee member Rep. Norm Dicks.

http://www.change.org/petitions/congress-approve-5-1-billion-in-funding-for-liheap-in-fy-2013

You can sign the petition and ask your colleagues to sign the petition.
You can also post the link on your Facebook page.

For more information about
this petition please contact NNFN media consultant

Ivan Brandon . Mr. Brandon
can be reached via email at icbrandon@aol.com.

Winter Energy Help Cut for 42,000 Minnesotans

An estimated 42,000 low-income Minnesotans who received public assistance to pay for energy and heat during last winter will not get it this year, after the federal government drastically cut aid to the states.

"It will have a severe impact on Minnesotans," said Mike Rothman, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Rothman's department may only get $73 million - down from last year's $152 million - for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, which helps needy Minnesotans pay for energy needs during the winter months.

Instead of helping the 172,099 Minnesotans given assistance during the winter of 2010, the money will only cover an estimated 128,000-130,000 this year; 1 in 4 who received help last year will not receive a dime this winter, state projections show.

Those who do get assistance will see the average payment cut by 20%, to $400, the MN Commerce Dept. said.

"It's the effort to stretch every dollar that we have to get it to the people who need it the most," Cmsr. Rothman told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

Click to hear from Minnesotans affected by the cuts.

Click here and here for information on MN LIHEAP and how to apply, or call 1-800-657-3710.

Take the Challenge

Think you’ll never have to ask for help? Here’s your chance to prove it. Take the challenge and see if you can survive in poverty using this simulation put together by a nonprofit organization in Durham.

http://playspent.org/

The U.S. Department of the Treasury will pay all federal benefit and non-tax payments electronically. Benefit recipients can choose to receive their payments by direct deposit to a bank or credit union account or to a Direct Express^® Debit MasterCard^® card account.

Act now to get your money safely and quickly – on time, every time...

Other Local Agencies

Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging www.tcaging.org/

Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral www.mnchildcare.org/

Greater Twin Cities United Way www.unitedwaytwincities.org/

Housing Link Minneapolis www.housinglink.org

Landlord and Tenants Rights and Responsibilities www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/housing/lt/default.asp

Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging www.tcaging.org/findinghelp/sll.html