Coleton Whitaker
1:55:03
Thank you, Terence, and the committee on Aging for holding this important hearing today.
1:55:07
For your leadership in supporting the needs of older adults in New York.
1:55:11
My name is Colton Whitaker, and I am the director of in person experiences with older adults technology services or Oates from AARP.
1:55:20
Oates is an award winning social impact organization that offers technology programs, community training, and strategic engagements shape the future of aging.
1:55:29
Oat is also the creator of Senior Planet, a national program that helps older adults h sixty and over thrive in the digital world and use technology to improve their daily lives in five areas of impact.
1:55:40
Social engagement, financial security, Civic participation, health, and creativity.
1:55:46
Oates' flagship Senior Planet Center opened in Manhattan in 2013.
1:55:50
And in the past decade has provided older New Yorkers with a warm, welcoming community space to learn, use innovative technology, and be entrepreneurial.
1:55:59
The center has a robust computer lab and open seating style working space and cutting edge technology readily available that older adults can touch and experience for themselves.
1:56:08
Oates has historically and currently received funding from the New York City Department for the Aging to operate the Senior Planet Center in Chelsea and the widely successful programming at partner sites around the city through the community connected communities initiative.
1:56:23
As the oversight city agency for older adult services, DIFTA plays a crucial role sitting at the intersection of older adults and city services.
1:56:30
That's why I'm here today to speak in support of the expanded interagency collaboration to improve services for older New Yorkers across the city specifically through introsix89.
1:56:40
Formalizing stronger collaboration across agency is alongside DIFTA will help eliminate age related barriers and enact in the provision of services for older adults, while also reviewing current future initiatives to ensure that we are that they are fair and inclusive for our older New Yorkers.
1:56:58
Our hope is that in addition to the greater collaboration as specified, There will also be stronger commitments to collaborative data collection and, of course, representation of older New Yorkers on the cabinet, which are key areas of importance.
1:57:15
And we'll be submitting formalized testimony that includes a bit more of our suggestions here.
1:57:23
Again, thank you for the time, and I appreciate the opportunity today.
