I am honored and excited about being the new Residents’ Council President. My time on the Council has given me an opportunity to form relationships with the Administration, other Council members and you, Charlestown residents. I am eager to work with the Council members, the Administration, and residents, to produce positive outcomes for Charlestown.

I am genuinely excited about working with all the 2024-2025 Council members. They bring a diverse range of ability to the table, including governance, legal knowledge, engineering, management, research, accounting, health care, and higher education teaching and planning. Their varied backgrounds enable them to effectively stand for the community’s interests, make informed decisions, and manage Council resources responsibly. With experience in leadership and a commitment to the neighborhood’s well-being, Council members are equipped to address challenges, oversee projects, and guide the association in achieving its goals.

My theme for this year is sharing. The theme of sharing is a powerful reminder of the importance of community, connection, and generosity. Sharing fosters a sense of unity by encouraging individuals to contribute their time, and talents for the collective good. When we share, we create opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth, breaking down barriers and fostering a spirit of empathy and understanding. In essence, sharing enriches lives, deepens relationships, and strengthens the fabric of our community.

Sharing is key for closing the gap between independent living and continuing care. This year the Council will work towards a closer connection between those of us in independent living and our neighbors in continuing care. The Council will work to initiate a program for independent living residents to share their time and talents with those who are across the street. I hope to set up a program where volunteers visit continuing care residents on a regular basis to spend time chatting, playing board games, or just listening to their life stories. Such a program will enhance relationships with those living in continuing care. I will work to get one of the 13 committees to hold a meeting in continuing care each month. Another goal this year will be to form a program where we have neighbors helping neighbors. Sharing time with your neighbor is a valuable commodity. We know there are people in independent living who very seldom come out of their apartments. As with crossing the street to improve the lives of those in continuing care we also need to cross the hall to help our neighbor even if is to just to see how they are doing.

Another area I will be exploring is Charlestown sustainability efforts. The Council developed three sustainability reports for Charlestown this past year. These reports covered ground, dining, and transportation. Each document had a list of recommendations. These recommendations need to be discussed and implemented where they are workable.

As John Remias mentioned at the Annual meeting, the Council is not a rubber stamp for neither the Administration nor the Board of Directors. We are your voice to these organizations. They do listen to us because we advocate you concerns. We learned from you that Charlestown has a considerable number of residents with low vision. The Administration has made changes in stairway carpet. The Council changed its badge color to bright yellow with black letters since the dark blue was not very readable for low vision people. I know my Ravens friends will be a little upset with the colors chosen, since they are Steelers color.

My request to all residents is share your time and talents. Join a Council committee that matches your interest or ability. Committees meet monthly for no more than one hour. You can find the 13 committees and there meeting day and time by going to the Residents’ Council web site, which is ccicharlestown.org.

You can also contact Charlestown Volunteer Coordinator, Allison Chlada, who can match your interest and skills with organization within Charlestown that need volunteers. Also, on September 13th there will be a CGO Expo that will showcase all Charlestown organizations. Every organization at that Expo need you. Joining a club or group is a great way to make new friends.

Not only is September the beginning of a new year for the Residents’ Council, but it is also Benevolent Care Month.

Submitted by Joe Carrick