On July 14, 2023, Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce, Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham, Elder Care Committee Chair Carolyn McLaughlin, and Legislators Matthew Miller, Matthew Peter, and Zach Collins, gathered to recognize a positive impact on Albany community seniors that just rolled into town. A new van purchased by the Legislature will provide delivered meals for Senior Projects of Ravena to deliver throughout the County. Also joining the Legislators were Sheila Dorn, the Property Manager of American Housing, Inc., Lakken Kovacick, the Assistant Director of Senior Projects of Ravena, and Darlene Mergendahl, Board Member of Senior Projects of Ravena.

Three senior residents of the Van Allen Apartments, where the conference took place, also made an appearance to share how the meal delivery service has been a greatly appreciated addition to their lives.

The Albany County Legislature is dedicated to supporting the organizations that care for our aging loved ones, and this van will allow for thousands of meals to be delivered to seniors in rural and urban neighborhoods.

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Albany County Chairman Andrew Joyce

"I’m grateful to be able to continue enhancing the quality of life for Albany County seniors. Supporting organizations like Senior Projects of Ravena, who are dedicated to providing critical services that many seniors rely on each day, is just one way the Legislature is working to make elder care a priority. Through the purchase of this van, we are helping Senior Projects of Ravena expand their invaluable care and outreach. Thank you to all of the Legislatures who supported this initiative and worked to make it come to fruition."

Albany County Legislator Matthew Peter

"Food insecurity is a real and constant reality for many in our county. It strikes hardest in our urban and rural communities and I'm proud to join in supporting a program that helps fight food insecurity" said Albany County Legislator Matthew Peter, "while based in Ravena, this organization, Senior Projects of Ravena, serves those in need in the City of Albany as well and I thank Chairman Andrew Joyce and County Executive McCoy for helping to make this happen."

Albany County Legislator Matthew Miller

"Taking care of those in our society who need help most is the sign of a strong democracy. This new van for the congregate meals program at the Senior Projects of Ravena is a shining example of that strength here in Albany County and I'm thrilled to have been a part of this effort. A need was discovered and a bipartisan effort was undertaken to ensure that this need was met so that senior citizens in Ravena, Selkirk and Albany can continue to get nutritious meals in their home setting.

The Legislature and the Executives Office worked together to see that those who are physically or fiscally unable to get regular meals can rest assured that they will continue to have their needs met by the Ravena Senior Projects Program since they will now have the security of knowing they have a safe and competent vehicle with which to deliver these meals each week to some of our most vulnerable citizens."

Albany County Legislator and Chair of Elder Committee Carolyn McLaughlin

"The acquisition of the van is crucial for sustaining the home delivered and congregate meal programs catering to our residents aged 60 and above in Albany County. By securing funding for this unmet need, we recognize the necessity of additional resources to meet the growing demand and ensure the long-term viability of these essential services. The connection maintained with the Senior community through this meal delivery service is essential to advancing the aging in place agenda."

Albany County Legislator Zach Collins

"Enhancing our local home delivered meal program with a new vehicle is important, but it goes beyond that", said Legislator Zach Collins (C,R - Coeymans). "By helping Senior Projects of Ravena procure this van, we are signaling our commitment to senior citizens. It is critical that Albany County invest in the care of a population that once cared for us, and this small step is an important signal of our continuing support for Albany County seniors."

Terri Albano, the Executive Director of the Senior Projects of Ravena

"We would like to thank the Department for Aging Commissioner Deb Riitano and everyone on the Albany County Legislature, including Chairman Andrew Joyce and his fellow legislature members, as well as Zach Collins who worked very diligently with us, for awarding the Senior Projects of Ravena a vehicle through a bipartisan agreement. Your generosity means everything to us and to the aging community we serve. We know you have a lot of worthy programs in need of awards like this one and we are grateful to have been chosen."

American Housing Foundation Ken Kearns, VP of American Housing Management Co., Inc.

"American Housing Foundation and the Van Allen Senior Community would like to welcome Chairman Joyce and the members of the Albany County Legislature. We congratulate the recent approval to purchase a new vehicle that will continue the terrific work done day after day by Senior Projects of Ravena Home Delivered Meals and Congregate Meal Services.  This important decision continues to display how much our Legislators care about the Seniors in Albany County."