Dear Advocates and Partners,
On behalf of ma4 and the Area Agencies on Aging, I want to extend a sincere and deep thank you for your incredible response to our recent calls to action.
Over the past several weeks, you showed up in force. Whether you sent an email, made a phone call, or shared our message with your network, your dedication to restoring Senior Services Growth and Development Program (SSGDP) funding to support Missouri seniors was nothing short of inspiring.
The Unfortunate Outcome: Despite our collective efforts and the overwhelming volume of outreach, the Senate has decided NOT to restore the funding at this time. While this isn’t the news we worked so hard to achieve, it does not diminish the importance of your advocacy. Because of you, the voices of Missouri’s seniors and the professionals who serve them were heard loud and clear in the Capitol. We made it impossible for the legislature to ignore the vital role AAAs play in our communities.
Our Ongoing Commitment: We want to be very clear: The AAAs remain fully committed to serving Missouri’s older adults. While these diminished resources present significant challenges, our mission does not waver. We will continue to work tirelessly to provide essential services—from home-delivered meals to caregiver support—ensuring that Missourians can age with the dignity and independence they deserve. We are resilient, and our dedication to our seniors remains our top priority.
Why Your Voice Still Matters: Advocacy is rarely a single sprint; it’s a marathon. While we didn’t cross this particular finish line today, the momentum we built together serves as the foundation for our next steps.Awareness: You educated lawmakers on how SSGDP funding directly impacts home-delivered meals, transportation, and in-home services. Unity: You proved that the aging network in Missouri is organized, passionate, and ready to take action. Persistence: We are not going away. We will continue to advocate for the resources necessary to help Missourians age with dignity and independence.
NEXT STEPS: We are already working on our strategy for the remainder of the session and even for next year. We will be in touch soon with updated information on how we can continue this fight together. Thank you for your tireless energy and for being such steadfast champions for Missouri’s seniors. We couldn’t do this without you. With gratitude, Julie Peetz, Executive Director, ma4