Age & Disabilities Odyssey Conference

Sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Board on Aging, this conference is held every two years at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center in Duluth.

This conference provides original, thought-provoking sessions on a variety of topics related to the support of seniors and persons with disabilities; in order to provide knowledge that attendees can easily relate to and put into action.

The Foley Area C.A.R.E. Program is the grateful recipient of a large portion of our funding through a grant from the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services. As such we are invited, excited, and required to attend this event. The valuable information gained is part of our continuing effort to update and improve the services we provide to our seniors in Benton County.

This year our Executive Director, Connie Cardinal, was invited to present as part of a four-person panel discussion on “Sustainability”. Connie spoke specifically on the topic of “Rural Sustainability”; discussing all the unique ways that C.A.R.E. receives support from both the community and from fundraising activities, and how that support and those fundraising activities contribute to the ongoing sustainability of our program.

When asked about the experience, Connie stated, “What a privilege it is to share with other
programs the fantastic work being completed at C.A.R.E.; and to talk about the lives of seniors
that are transformed because of our hard work. We all need to give ourselves a pat on the back
for contributing to this success. We are so proud the Minnesota Department of Human Services
recognizes the work that is being done in our community.”