b'To Take Care of One AnotherAs COVID-19 wreaked havoc this year, we confronted enormous challenges in our community. Many of our neighbors faced financial distress, suddenly out of work or underemployed. Food insecurity and abuse were on the rise. Older adults felt socially isolated and as the months rolled on, continued isolation and anxiety would increase among teens, young adults and others as well. Yet as weve done throughout our history, The Associated network acted swiftly to respond to these increased needs. Whether providing financial assistance to help families pay their bills, distributing food to older adults or offering new telehealth sessions to successfully address our mental wellbeing, our Associated agencies made sure families and friends did not slip through the cracks. At the same time, this winter, when vaccines became available, The Associated took on a leadership role. Not only did we partner with LifeBridge Health, the Baltimore City Health Department, elected city and county leaders and synagogues to encourage vaccinations, but we also set up vaccination clinics for our older adults, agency frontlineWhile friends workers and the general community.spent weeks Even in the midst of a pandemic, we continued to besearching forward-thinking, tackling the issues confronting a changingfor vaccine community. Recognizing a growing older adult population, we introduced AgeWell Baltimore, a Centennial initiative,appointments, supported by Irene and Robert Russel and Family and theMarcia received Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Charitable Foundation. one easily in her This collaboration between The Associated, CHAI, CHANA and Jewish Community Services, provides our older lovedbuilding.ones with an easily accessible continuum of resources to support their healthy aging.'