Montgomery County Councilmember Sidney Katz, who represents Council District 3, which includes Gaithersburg, Rockville, Washington Grove, Leisure World and parts of Aspen Hill, Derwood, North Potomac and Potomac, will host a Senior Forum and Resource Fair at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park starting at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 27.
The program will focus on recognizing the signs of elder abuse, protecting seniors from scams, and ways for seniors to volunteer. It will be accompanied by an informational resource fair showcasing an array of service providers to seniors.
The Activity Center at Bohrer Park is located at 506 S. Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg.
The Senior Forum and Resource Fair are free and open to the public. The resource fair will open at 9:30 a.m., with speakers beginning at 10 a.m. Residents do not have to be a member of the Activity Center at Bohrer Park to attend.
Katz, the former Mayor of Gaithersburg, serves on the Public Safety (PS) Committee as its lead member for Behavioral Health in the Justice System. The PS Committee has jurisdiction over the county’s consumer protection programs and public safety issues affecting seniors.
The following experts will be speaking starting at 10 a.m.:
John McCarthy, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney
Eric Friedman, director of the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection
Gretchen Zekiel, Senior Fellow/Program Manager, 50+ Volunteer Network, Montgomery County Volunteer Center.
At the resource fair, representatives from community-serving organizations will have information and materials for forum attendees. Organizations confirmed to be in attendance include:
Aspire Counseling
City of Gaithersburg, Benjamin Gaither Center (formerly Gaithersburg Upcounty Senior Center)
Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County
EveryMind
Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse
Jewish Social Service Agency
Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition
Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division
Montgomery College Lifelong Learning Institute
Montgomery County Board of Elections
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Aging & Disability Services
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service
Montgomery County Public Libraries
Montgomery County Recreation
Montgomery County Police Department, Keeping Seniors Safe
Montgomery County State’s Attorney
Montgomery County Volunteer Center, 50+ Volunteer Network
NAMI Montgomery County
Rockville Senior Center
Senior Connection
The Village at Rockville