Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard will host a public forum on Tuesday April 19, addressing the impact of senior citizens in Albany-Dougherty County and the resources available to them and their caregivers throughout the community.

Over 20 percent of the metro Albany population is, or will turn 65 or older within the next 5 years, qualifying them for “senior citizen” status, as it applies socioeconomically.

“Albany-Dougherty County has a vast array of resources available to senior citizens,” says Mayor Hubbard. “The stability of this sector of the population is paramount, and we as a community want to ensure that their needs are met by providing them with the information they need. This forum will serve as a means of connection directly between the organizations providing services and the citizens who need them.”

A sampling of organizations serving the community’s elderly population will be present to discuss their specific markets and services. Presenting organizations include the Southwest Georgia Council on Aging, represented by Director Kay Hind; the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council, represented by Deputy Director Randy Weldon; and Phoebe’s Golden Key program, represented by Community Benefit Coordinator, Darrell Sabbs.

Presenting organizations offer a broad range of services, from the Council on Aging’s “meals on wheels” program, to energy conservation assistance provided by the Community Action Council, to social traveling opportunities offered by Phoebe Golden Key.

The program is an edition in a series of forums organized by the Mayor’s Coalition for Economic Development, and is intended to better inform the public on the social and economic impacts of senior citizens, and to bring awareness to the local amenities and services offered to seniors and their caregivers.

The April 19 forum is free to the public and will be held from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. in room 100 of the Government Center, located at 222 Pine Ave. in downtown Albany.

For more information, please call (229) 434-0044 or visit the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission at facebook.com/choosealbany.