Kendall County TRIAD is increasing outreach to get the word out on prevalent scams that have been occurring, the dangers to seniors, and to reach family members, caregivers, and neighbors.
Kendall County TRIAD is a community service organization that is part of a statewide initiative. TRIAD members are volunteers and professionals who are focused on reducing criminal victimization of the elderly. TRIAD promotes home-fire safety, fire prevention information, and offers a variety of community activities each year to help seniors learn more about safety and to help them play an active role in crime-prevention.
Because of recent increases in financial fraud and scams targeting our elderly population, Kendall County TRIAD started planning for a series of scam presentations in some of the more rural areas of the County to connect with seniors and their loved ones with important safety messages.
Each year, Kendall County TRIAD is host to scam awareness presentations, a senior resource fair, a fire safety expo, and an annual picnic. This Spring they have added a town hall meeting March 14, at 4:30 p.m., at Lisbon Grade School in Newark Ill.. It could be the first of many such events the group hopes to bring to small communities, including church groups and service organizations.
Deputy Paul Kubinski, of the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, leads our local TRIAD chapter. He commented recently, “We do a lot of scam presentations. But we also hope to spread this message even further. We want to connect, not just with seniors, and to answer their individual concerns, but to connect with caregivers, and family members. We want to equip those who can help, and to make them aware of signs of abuse. Some of our elders are living in relative or total isolation. Family, friends, and neighbors can help if they are made aware of these problems.”
TRIAD members are just like you, in fact TRIAD members could be you! TRIAD is not an exclusive group. It includes police and fire personnel from all departments in the County. It includes social workers, and other employees from senior services and senior centers. It includes elected officials from townships and cities in our County, and it includes concerned senior citizens who just want to learn more and who just want to help their friends and neighbors.
TRIAD holds monthly planning meetings at Senior Services Associates at the Beecher Center, 809 Game Farm Road, Yorkville. Most meetings occur in a hybrid manner, that is many participants attend in person while others use Zoom to join in from their computer or cell phone. Everyone has an opportunity to listen, ask questions, and contribute. Contact Amy Cummings, activity director at Senior Services at 630-553-5777 to share your name and contact information.
TRIAD’s list of yearly events is continuing to grow, especially with the addition of this new town hall-style meeting. It is important for all of us to be aware of our surroundings, finances, and online activity. We need to stay alert, participate in community events to hear news and learn more about these types of crimes. We need to know the facts, and be willing to share that knowledge with others. We need to be compassionate and caring friends, because it is surprising to see how many intelligent people have become victims of scams and financial crimes.
Most important, we need to be ready to reach out to someone who may be in need. If you see signs that someone is possibly neglected, in distress, or in need, be that friend. Look out for your family members and their neighbors, too. TRIAD is hoping to empower seniors to be those friends in need;
To learn more about Kendall County TRIAD and their many yearly activities, contact Senior Services at 630-553-5777, or look for them online at https://www.facebook.com/KendallCounty TRIAD.
Barb Nadeau is a freelance writer, whose career has included more than 10 years as a public relations professional, 22 years as a professional television and radio host, print journalist, and volunteer coordination professional, networking among non-profit social service agencies and service providers throughout the State of Illinois. She is a two-term elected alderman in the City government of Plano. Contact Barb at bvnadeau@gmail.com.