CARES: Community Assistance Resource & Educational Services

	CARES Launched in early 2011, CARES will host seminars at the library on a variety of topics dealing with local, state and federal programs.  The goal is to inform and educate local residents about programs for which they may be eligible and about which they have questions.  Expert speakers and government representatives will be invited to speak.
	The next CARES session is "An Age for Justice" Thursday, March 22at 10:30 am Every year elder abuse leads millions to live in fear.  The intimate 16-minute documentary An Age for Justice: Confronting Elder Abuse in America brings you into the homes of courageous American elders to hear their poignant and real stories about abuse, neglect or abandonment they have experienced.  The film unites the voices of abused elders , family members and experts from across our nation to help bring the issue of elder abuse out of the shadows. A discussion will follow of how you can empower yourself and protect others from abuse. Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services is the local agency which plans and coordinates services for older adults (60+), persons living with disabilities and their caregivers.  Its mission is to promote independence, health, dignity and choice and to provide support for individuals and their caregivers. [27 Warren St Somerville, NJ 08876; (908) 704-6346 or toll-free 1-888-747-1122.] Presenter Laurie Rowe, MS, is the Eldercare Educator for the Somerset County Office on Aging. Ms. Rowe will address the common and complex challenges seniors experience through education, intervention and knowledge of available resources. She is committed to finding solutions for problems using a fresh perspective, creative problem-solving and humor. Ms. Rowe has a Master’s Degree in Studies in Aging from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Rutgers University.  She has served in many capacities in the field including case management, counseling. training, researcher and assessor. Click here to sign up.
	VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) VITA is a program which falls under the CARES umbrella and has assisted residents in calculating and filing their income taxes for over 15 years. It is now available to help all year around, not just in the first four months of the year.  In the months after April 15, Coordinator Bob Baker and other volunteers can help with estimated taxes, tax filing extensions, and returns that are being filed under extension.  The library is looking for new volunteers for 2012 so that the number of residents served can grow.  Tax season may seem far away, but it’s only four months until training for the VITA volunteers takes place in January.  Public appointments are scheduled starting in mid-February.  Becoming a VITA volunteer is easy and rewarding, but does require a time commitment of approximately three to four hours a week during tax season (February through April 15).  For details on joining this special group of volunteers, contact Madelyn English at 908-766-0118.