More than 50 years ago, a high school principal in California by the name of Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus found a retired teacher living in a chicken coop because she couldn’t afford proper housing or medical care. Andrus was so distressed by the women’s situation and the sense of injustice that it represented, she vowed to change not only the way older Americans are treated, but the way Americans view aging. Her actions grew into what we know today as AARP.

Since 1958, AARP’s mission has been to help improve the quality of life for all older Americans, to help them fulfill their goals and dreams and to age with dignity. It’s why we fight to protect your Social Security and Medicare, and police against scams and fraud. It’s why we fight to lower your energy bills and provide more choice and control over how you and your loved ones receive long-term care. It’s also why we fight for retiree and consumer protections on Wall Street and help 50+ workers improve their career skills and find employment.

In Connecticut, AARP is visible both at the State Capitol and in your local communities. And even before AARP opened a state office in Connecticut in 2001, a small group of dedicated volunteers were working with AARP to improve the health and financial security of older Connecticut residents.

Today, AARP Connecticut continues to honor the life and legacy of our Founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus.

We work with nearly 800 volunteers in Connecticut to advocate on issues at the State Capitol and to support volunteer, community-based initiatives that help make a difference in our communities and improve the lives of older residents, such as the Driver Safety Program, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, and Benefits Outreach. We also have 47 local AARP chapters that host educational speakers, sponsor trips and social events, raise money for charity and provide members with additional opportunities to serve their community.

AARP Connecticut State Director Brenda Kelley said, “AARP’s volunteers continue to be the heart and soul of everything we do. AARP has an all-volunteer Board of Directors, and here in Connecticut, our volunteer State president and Executive Council help set our strategic agenda and determine the issues we work on. They are both our advisors and our boots on the ground.” … Back to Article