The Council on Older Persons (COOP) serves as an advisory committee for The Center for Community Solutions and as a resource to support communities, organizations, and institutions to promote the well-being of older adults and adults with a disability through education, awareness, and advocacy. COOP has been in existence for over 70 years and in 2024, it continued to provide its members with critical information to help advance the work of improving the lives of older adults in Cuyahoga County.
COOP membership is comprised of representatives of over 40 agencies, nonprofits, and other organizations.
This year COOP was led by:
Chair: Marsha Blanks, Consultant
Vice-Chair: Michael Billnitzer, Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (ESOP), Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging
Legislative Committee Co-Chair: Maridell Couture, Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services
Legislative Committee Co-Chair: Kendra Daniel, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
Nominating Committee Co-Chair: Lisa Weitzman, Benjamin Rosie Institute on Aging
Nominating Committee Co-Chair: Siyue Xu, University Hospitals
Program Committee Co-Chair: De’Neitra Brown, Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association
Program Committee Co-Chair: Simone McNitt, Encore Employment Enterprise (E3)
COOP and its committees met throughout the year and welcomed representatives from the following organizations to present information on issues faced by older adults and to provide resources clients served by COOP members could utilize:
- Issue 26 Health and Human Services Levy Campaign
- Digital C
- The Greater Cleveland Food Bank
- Black Women’s Political Action Committee
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Office of Older Americans
- Cuyahoga County Treasurer’s Office
COOP will resume meeting in early January with a focus on its mission to promote a better understanding of aging and address the issues and concerns of older adults and adults with a disability in Greater Cleveland through citizen-led needs assessment, policy development, community education, and advocacy.
More information on COOP
Email Jason Kluk-Barany with any questions on becoming a member of COOP or if you are interested in presenting at a COOP meeting.
