$7K grant sought for dementia education ‘Memory Cafe’ in Gold Canyon
Metro Creative
Community training is to be held at events at a Memory Cafe, which is to provide a welcoming, supportive environment for people with memory loss and their caregivers.
A request to authorize the submission of a grant application by Gold Canyon Community Inc. for $7,000 for dementia education was approved recently by the Pinal County Board of Supervisors.
The board voted unanimously July 2 on a consent agenda with other items to approve a resolution seeking the funding from the Ak-Chin Indian Community Shared Revenue Program and for Pinal County to serve as the fiscal agent.
“Dementia education helps to create a more informed and supportive community that benefits everyone. It can lead to a stronger, healthier society where people feel empowered to contribute in supporting those living with dementia and their families,” GCCI Vice President David Coward wrote in an application for the grant.
Target audience/beneficiaries are people living with dementia, their families, caregivers and the community, he wrote of the funds to be used Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2026.
Community training is to be held at events at a Memory Cafe, which is to provide a welcoming, supportive environment for people with memory loss and their caregivers, according to a written narrative.
“It will offer opportunities for social interaction, cognitive stimulation, emotion support and community building in a relaxed, nonjudgmental setting. The goals for of the Memory Cafe are: To create a safe, inclusive space for people living with dementia and their caregivers; to reduce isolation and improve mental well-being through social interaction and fun activities; to offer caregivers emotional support, respite and useful resources; to build awareness about dementia and foster a dementia-friendly community,” it states.
Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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