Commissioner Gary Fickes' Northeast Tarrant County Seniors Rock Program wins NACo 2022 Achievement Award!
May 10, 2022
This year’s Achievement Award-winning programs showcase how counties work every day to build healthy, safe, and thriving communities.”
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement, and many more.
Starting in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received.
Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes recognizes the senior population’s need for inclusion, socialization, creativity, and purpose. Plus, due to the pandemic, he saw an urgent need for outreach to home-bound seniors and healthcare workers. Northeast Tarrant County Seniors Rock program began addressing those needs in July of 2021. Like-minded seniors gather at the Northeast Courthouse once each month to paint rocks that offer hope and support to home-bound seniors and healthcare workers. The National Institute on Aging states that people who engage in these types of activities tend to live longer, boost their mood, and have a sense of purpose linked to healthier immune cells. This also helps to maintain their well-being and mental health. The seniors look forward to this project and many have met new friends and enjoyed their time together, as it provides them with much-needed social connections. Over 1,000 painted rocks have served as a keepsake; something they can hold onto, carry in their pocket, or place on a shelf that contains a message or image that speaks to them. It is a very personal gift, painted just for them, that gives them comfort and can brighten their day.
Learn more here.