Mark Kendrick reaches out to older adults in the community
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) assists more than 140,000 people each year. These older adults, caregivers and adults with disabilities receive vital information, resources and connection to services. For many of them, the first contact with PCA is out in the community.
PCA’s Community Engagement Department maintains an active presence in Philadelphia County, representing PCA at 325 events each year. Through this outreach, the agency shares information about home- and community-based programs. These include transportation, nutrition, senior community centers, volunteer and employment services, legal, ombudsman, and health promotion initiatives offered through PCA.
“The role of outreach is to be a presence in the community. By being there, older adults are able to directly ask someone what PCA does,” said PCA Outreach Coordinator Mark Kendrick. “I present information about the variety of programs that PCA offers. My role is to be an outlet for the community to interface with PCA. Outreach staff will go to whatever space is willing to have us, whether it’s a house of worship, community event or senior center.”
Outreach efforts include tabling at events to share materials with the public and giving presentations about relevant topics.
“The message we deliver is about staying healthy and keeping seniors safe in the community,” Kendrick said. “Outreach brings people what they need by sharing relevant resources for older adults. Part of that is sharing services and programs that PCA provides. The goal is getting people connected to resources.”
Recent events have focused on the topics of men’s wellness and mental health.
Kendrick, who has worked at PCA for 11 years, heads the agency’s Clergy Interfaith Coalition and African-Caribbean Elders Group. “In addition to general outreach to the entire community, PCA pays special attention to finding groups that are missed. A lot of general resources and information aren’t focused on the specific needs of special groups. Or, they are prepared with preconceived notions of what a group needs. We meet underserved populations where they are.”
PCA has dedicated outreach staff and convenes advisory councils for special populations, including Asian, Latino, LGBTQ+ and faith-based elders. “The goal is to find the connector,” Kendrick said. “We reach the leaders and organizers – the ‘boots on the ground’ – who will bring the information into the community. We’re getting the information out there, whether it’s directly to the people in need or by way of a community contact person. All these outreach efforts allow people to put a face to the information. We give them a direct line to PCA. They can ask a question to someone in the moment.”
Prior to becoming an outreach coordinator, Kendrick worked as a service coordinator for PCA’s OPTIONS Program for five years. “People wait too long to reach out for help,” he said. “It’s so important to be aware of what’s available, so you know it’s there when you need it, or you can help someone else. We give people a lifeline: Reach out to the PCA Helpline to make a referral or to get an assessment for PCA services scheduled. The first step is making a connection, so they know they don’t have to figure it out alone.”
To request a PCA community outreach staff to give a presentation to your group or set up a table at a community event, contact the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040.
