• $5 million grant targets improvements in senior centers for lasting impact.
• Application Opens Monday, Oct. 31 and Closes Dec. 9.

Pontiac, Michigan – As the chair of the Healthy Aging Ad Hoc Committee, Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford Twp.) secured funding for local senior centers and nonprofit organizations that provide senior centered services.  Applications for the Senior Centers Grant Program will open on Monday, Oct. 31. The grants will award up to $250,000 in matching funds.  Grant applications close Dec. 9.

“Our senior community centers play a vital role for older adults, offering opportunities for socialization, nutrition, recreation, and education,” said Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford Twp.).  This grant opportunity will greatly assist senior centers in growing their capacity to meet identified community needs, including access to computers, internet and training, professional development, and infrastructure improvement projects.”

“Using CARES Act funds in 2020, we reimbursed senior centers for pandemic related expenses, but with these funds we are making future-focused investments to improve the quality of life of our older residents,” said County Executive David Coulter. “We are pleased to work collaboratively with Commissioner Nelson and the Board of Commissioners on this important program.”

Utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, the grants will pay for senior center improvements such as capital, technology, infrastructure, and equipment improvements or professional development. The Senior Centers Grant Program is part of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ $8.5 million for Oakland Together Seniors Initiative which was unanimously approved on September 1. Additional programs are focused on improving communication with older residents, reinstating the Elderly Abuse Prevention Coalition, supporting volunteers at senior-focused non-profit organizations, and making improvements to the Senior Chore program which provides critical assistance to allow seniors to stay in their homes.

Senior centers and nonprofit organizations must be located in Oakland County to qualify for the Senior Centers Grant Program. Matching funds may include in-kind, past, current, or future investment in senior centers, recreational facilities for senior activities, or other investments providing long-term benefits to senior residents.

Project applications must include:

• Eligibility under the United States Treasury guidelines for ARPA funding
• An account of how the proposal will use the Senior Centers Grant Program funding to make long-term improvements for senior residents in each community, including an implementation plan and timeline for grant funding
• A description of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and how that impacted plans under this grant

Informational virtual meetings for Senior Centers Grant Program are scheduled for Nov. 14 and 28. Grants are due to the county on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022.  Recipients will receive notification letters in mid-January. The Board of Commissioners will distribute the funds in early February. Grantees must utilize the Senior Centers Grant Program funds by Dec. 31, 2026.

To learn more about the grant, go to OakGov.com/SeniorCenterGrant. Applications may be submitted online at this address starting on Oct. 31.

“This is just one day in a long and difficult road to justice, but it is my hope that this guilty plea will bring some relief to the victims, their families and the extended Oxford community,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “I want to commend the Oakland County Sheriff and Prosecutor’s offices for the remarkable work they did on that day and since to get to this point.

“I had the opportunity to talk to some of the local leaders in Oxford and working with them and Sheriff Mike Bouchard and Prosecutor Karen McDonald, we’ll continue to do everything we can to support the community in this time of healing. The resiliency center will remain open and available to provide residents with mental health and other resources for as long as they need,” he added. “But we’re not done yet. An independent investigation is underway, and we continue to support those efforts for a full accounting of the events leading up to Nov. 30.”

• Oakland County Animal Control Division is conducting an animal neglect and abuse investigation because of the conditions in which officers observed the cats living.
• Animal control officers also discovered five deceased cats at the scene.
• The 38 cats are under treatment and evaluation at the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center while the remains of the five deceased cats are at Michigan State University where veterinarians will perform necropsies.

Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Animal Control Division is conducting an animal neglect and abuse investigation today after animal control officers and Commerce Township firefighters rescued 38 cats from a house fire on Winewood Lane yesterday. They also discovered five deceased cats at the scene.

The Commerce Township Fire Department requested assistance from Oakland County Animal Control officers about 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 at the house fire after firefighters observed many cats roaming around the property. When animal control officers arrived at the home, they observed the cats living in concerning conditions that were unrelated to the fire.

The surviving cats are under veterinary evaluation and treatment at the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center in Pontiac. The shelter sent the remains of the deceased cats to Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine for necropsies to determine the cause of death.

The case remains an open investigation. Once concluded, the facts of the case will be turned over to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether there will be any charges. For details about the house fire, contact Commerce Township Fire Chief Jim Dundas.