Press Release | Office of the Mayor | Westland's Senior Resources Director Receives Senior Alliance Award

For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 734.422.1230

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Westland's Senior Resources Director Receives Senior Alliance Award

Westland, MI (March 18, 2019) - On Friday March 15, Westland's Director of Senior Resources, Barb Marcum was recognized by the Senior Alliance and was given a 2019 Meritorious Service Award at their 39th Annual Luncheon.

Marcum, who has worked for the City of Westland's Senior Resource Department since 1997, runs the Friendship Center, Westland's Senior Center with over 2500 members.

The Senior Alliance noted Marcum's forward thinking mentality as one attribute contributing to the award. Marcum changed the entrance age for the Friendship Center from 60 to 50 and added activities such as Zumba to attract younger baby boomers to the center.

"Westland's Senior Resource Department has two main goals," commented Marcum. "The first is to provide programming to help the community age successfully."

While membership and participation at Westland's Friendship Center is impressive in itself, Marcum's impact stretches far beyond those utilizing the center. Through programming such as "Meals on Wheels," offering free tax services and blood pressure screenings and much more, Westland's Senior Resource Department strives to touch the lives of every senior in the community.

"Our second goal, which is the more important of the two, is to be advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves," continued Marcum. "I believe that seniors are the most vulnerable members of our society. Oftentimes they are isolated and nobody knows the issues they are facing. They need people in their lives who will speak for them and fight for them, and that's what we strive to do every day."

The Senior Alliance serves as the focal point for older adults in the region, by funding and administering a network of services. The alliance also noted Marcum's drive and compassion as she has helped to raise over $2,000 for the Senior Alliance to provide holiday meals to seniors who are home-bound and alone during the holidays.

"Barbara is a fierce advocate for seniors, that passion drives her to lead one of the most successful centers in the state of Michigan," commented Tamera Kiger, CEO of the Senior Alliance.

For more information, please call Mayor Wild's Office at (734)467-3200

Westland, Michigan is the state's 10th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000 people who exhibit a great deal of pride in their All-American City. Westland has a thriving business community along with beautiful residential areas. The citizens enjoy a wide array of amenities and a quality of life that is second to none.

In 2014, Westland was rated as one of 24/7 Wall Street's America's Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single-family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities. Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Westland Police Department, whose motto is protect and serve, provides emergency dispatch services to four cities and over 100,000 residents; the Westland Fire Department are licensed paramedics who responded to over 9,000 calls for service last year, about 85% being medical based. They never forget their mission of preserving life and property.

Westland is well-known as the premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds of shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, one of the country's original four regional malls.

Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more than 40 parks and 1,500 acres of trails, a 9-hole golf course, hockey arena, athletic fields, playscapes, a Farmers and Artisans Market and more. One of Michigan's most environmentally friendly cities, Westland has a progressive curbside recycling program with one of the highest participation rates in the nation and the City is raising the bar for cultural experiences with the placement of public art throughout the City.

The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the Best School in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards. Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed state averages and the District has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.

The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region. Our Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently on a development plan will "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process for new business development.