[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 127 (Friday, October 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10835-S10836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OAKLAND LIVINGSTON HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Oakland Livingston Human Services 
Agency. The mission of this agency is to help low-income, elderly and 
disabled individuals become self-sufficient, and OLHSA

[[Page S10836]]

has been extremely successful in this pursuit. With over 70 programs, 
OLHSA has assisted over 30,000 low-income, elderly and disabled 
individuals living in Oakland and Livingston counties become more self-
reliant, thereby improving their quality of life. Over the last forty 
years, the efforts of OLHSA have improved the lives and livelihoods of 
Michigan citizens across the two counties.
  Elderly citizens in Southeastern Michigan can turn to OLHSA for a 
variety of resources and services. Senior centers, located in Pontiac 
and Novi, provide facilities for older adults to eat nutritious meals, 
attend exercise classes and socialize. The Senior AIDES program 
provides employment and training opportunities for older adults, 
opening the door to career options that would otherwise be unavailable 
because of their age and/or inexperience. Volunteers are dispatched to 
homes around the community to assist elderly individuals with household 
chores and yard work that they can no longer perform themselves.
  The Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency also provides support 
and advocacy to low-income families and other struggling individuals. 
If a family or an individual is in an emergency situation, they can 
turn to OLHSA for immediate help. OLHSA provides the necessary 
assistance to those in need through food banks, emergency utility 
assistance and emergency housing. In addition, the Oakland Livingston 
Human Services Agency provides long-term aid to the surrounding 
community. OLHSA's Financial Education Program offers informational 
classes on money management, tax law, insurance options and a variety 
of other topics. It also provides counseling on childcare, nutrition 
and other problems that face the community. Those who take advantage of 
these classes and counseling sessions acquire the knowledge and skills 
they need to make it on their own and overcome their problems. OLHSA 
has worked consistently to reduce the causes and consequences of 
poverty in Oakland and Livingston counties, and I know I can speak for 
my constituents when I say the people of Michigan sincerely appreciate 
the good work they have done.
  I know my Senate colleagues will join me in offering congratulations 
to the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency on its 40th 
anniversary. We recognize and thank the dedicated staff and volunteers 
who have made the organization successful over the years, and I wish 
them many more years of service to the community.

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