JCLC February 2024 Newsletter 

Black History Month Events

The City of Iowa City will host numerous events throughout February 2024 to commemorate Black History Month.

The month will feature book clubs, presentations, crafting projects, film screenings, and more, aimed at celebrating the impact Black Americans have had on our country, and educating people on the barriers Black Americans have faced, and still face today.

Below is a short summary of each event. For details, visit icgov.org/BHM2024.

Source: https://www.icgov.org/government/departments-and-divisions/equity-and-human-rights/martin-luther-king-jr-day-2024

Check out the University of Iowa's Black History Month events at

https://studentlife.uiowa.edu/celebrations/black-history-month

AARP Foundation Tax Aide Program

Free tax preparation services are available by appointment at the Senior Center from early February through mid-April. Low to moderate income taxpayers, especially those age 60+, can receive this free service, provided by trained volunteers of the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program.

Clients will schedule an intake appointment to drop off and inventory their tax-related materials and sign some forms. A counselor prepares the tax return while the client waits in the 1st floor lobby. The counselor will consult the client with any questions, then review the completed return with the client before e-filing. Expect the process to take about 60-90 minutes.

Clients must bring copies of federal and state tax returns for the most recent year filed, photo ID and Social Security card for each taxpayer included on the return, W-2 forms, 1099 forms (including Social Security benefits statement), and bank routing/account info for direct deposit/debit.

League of Women Voters 2024 Legislative Forum

The second legislative forum with a focus on Healthcare is coming up on February 24th at The Center Assembly Room (28 S Linn St, Iowa City) from 9:30-11:30AM. All legislators have been invited.The event will be live streamed on Facebook, and recorded to the LWVJC website and City Channel 4.



The format will offer legislators some time for opening remarks. The League of Women Voters of Johnson County will then ask a question to get things started. The floor will then be opened up to anyone in attendance to ask a question.

Iowa City Senior Center Extends Hours

The Iowa City Senior Center (ICSC) is pleased to announce the extension of its operating hours on nights and weekends, thanks to the generous support from the Iowa City Council and the City Manager's Office. This exciting development allows us to better serve the needs of our community members.Starting this weekend, the ICSC will be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Additionally, we have extended our weekday hours until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, providing more opportunities for the public to enjoy our facilities.

We are delighted to offer our spacious rooms for public use, allowing individuals and organizations to reserve them for meetings and events. For assistance with room reservations, please contact Kristin Kromray at kkromray@iowa-city.org or call 319-356-5220.

Members of the ICSC have exclusive access to our exercise spaces and billiards rooms, providing a welcoming environment for physical activity and social interaction.

In our commitment to inclusivity, the ICSC offers scholarships to low-income seniors, allowing them to become members for only $10 per year. For City of Iowa City residents, the annual membership fee is $40. Senior Center membership is available to anyone aged 50 and above, regardless of place of residence.

We also invite individuals to experience our state-of-the-art fitness equipment designed specifically for our 50+ community members. For a nominal fee of $5, guests can enjoy a week-long pass to explore and utilize our facilities.

For more information about the ICSC and its programs, please visit our website at icgov.org/senior or contact LaTasha DeLoach, Senior Center Coordinator, at ldeloach@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5220.

Source: https://www.icgov.org/Home/Components/News/News/1035/390

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

ISU Extension and Outreach is hosting a virtual Powerful Tools for Caregivers of Adults with Chronic Conditions series on Tuesdays beginning February 27^th. This six-session series is designed for caregivers who provide care for a spouse, parent, or friend with a chronic condition such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Sessions will be February 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26, & April 2 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM via Zoom.

Topics covered: Tools and support strategies, communication techniques, stress reduction ideas, and resources to assist family caregivers with their concerns related to caregiving.

Registration details: This program is $40/participant, but scholarship opportunities are available for residents of Johnson County. Program materials will be mailed to those registered. See the attached flyer for more details.

• Registration can be found online at: https://go.iastate.edu/F9ZEDH

To learn more, visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/ptc. This course will be led by Master Trainers for the Powerful Tools for Caregivers program. Contact Phyllis Zalenski, Family Wellbeing Human Sciences Specialist, at zalenski@iastate.edu or 319-465-3224 for information on scholarships or with any questions.

Local Programming and News

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