Events

Civic Coffee Panels

Age Friendly Seattle Civic Coffee logoFor several years running, Age Friendly Seattle has hosted monthly Civic Coffee events in partnership with The Seattle Public Library. These are opportunities for older adults to gather, meet local government and community leaders, learn about key issues, and ask questions and provide feedback.

During the pandemic, we hosted Civic Coffee virtually. These online events served as an opportunity to connect people during an isolating time, and to disseminate key information about COVID-19 risks, prevention strategies, and local resources available for support. Combined with our Close to Home event series, these online events were viewed more than 12,000 times in 2020 and 2021.

Now, we are responding to community requests to gather in-person once again. To accommodate as many people as possible, we are hosting hybrid events: guest speakers join Age Friendly staff online for the conversation, and attendees are invited to an in-person meeting location (with coffee!) where we will screen the discussion. This means viewers have the choice of joining virtually OR in-person.

As part of this hybrid re-launch, we are thrilled to be bringing these events physically into communities around Seattle. Previously held at City Hall or the Central Library branch, we are now expanding partnerships with local organizations that wish to partner with us. Want our next Civic Coffee to be in your neighborhood? Let us know at AgeFriendly@seattle.gov!  

Civic Coffee generally takes place each month on the fourth Thursday of the month, from 10:30-12 noon Pacific Time (90 minutes) unless otherwise noted.

We have made a strong commitment to language access, and strive to offer live interpretation in several languages, depending on community need. Interpretation is offered by advance request (via agefriendly@seattle.gov). Visit our Virtual Events access page to find information about the next upcoming Civic Coffee event, including location to join us in-person and link to join online.

Scroll down to watch previous recordings or find them on our YouTube channel for future public viewing.   

Coming up!

Featured Events

In addition to our regularly scheduled events described below, Age Friendly Seattle hosts and supports several special events each year on a wide variety of topics relevant to older adults.

Information about upcoming programs can also be found on the Aging and Disability Services event calendar and the Age Friendly Seattle Facebook events page (does not require an account). 

Close to Home: Stories of Health, Tech & Resilience

"Close to Home: Stories of Health, Tech and Resilience" was a series of online events presented by Age Friendly Seattle and The Seattle Public Library during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020–December 2021). There was a high demand for information during this time, and events that featured information and resources for older people, caregivers, and their families. For information on past programs, see the playlist on our YouTube channel.

Watch Previous Events

  • Civic Coffee: Financial Planning & Fraud Prevention (January 25, 2022) —Panelists discussed financial preparation for aging, and how to avoid scams and financial exploitation. Held in partnership with Lake City Senior Center (12531 28th Ave NE, Seattle) and online. YouTube | Facebook
  • Civic Coffee: Winterization—Civic Coffee on November 17, 2022 was again held in partnership with Neighborhood House and the Seattle Housing Authority as a hybrid event with live translation happening in three languages. This month’s topic was winterization, including emergency preparedness, fall prevention, and home weatherizing. Panelists were Sokha Danh, Community Engagement Specialist, City of Seattle’s Office of Housing; Carol Redfield, Adjunct Professor of Nursing, Seattle Pacific University; and Martha Peppones, Nutrition and Advocacy Director, Homage Senior Services. Facebook | YouTube
  • Age-Friendly Housing Forum: Where Will Seattle’s Older Adults Live? (November 2, 2022)
  • Civic Coffee: World Food Day—Civic Coffee on October 20, 2022 took place at Neighborhood House High Point Center. Panelists were Tiffany Anderson, City of Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment; Faizah Shukru, Food Innovation Network; and Fran Yeatts, West Seattle Food Bank. Facebook | YouTube
  • Civic Coffee: Creative Aging—The Sept. 15, 2022 Civic Coffee featured a panel discussion about art and its power to enhance quality of life and nurture overall well-being of older adults and their caregivers. Facebook | YouTube
  • Conversation with U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Adam Smith—On Sept. 8, Age Friendly Seattle joined with other aging advocacy organizations in a live online conversation the economic security of older adults with U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District) and Congressman Adam Smith (9th District). YouTube 
  • Conversation with U.S. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene—On Aug. 26, 2022, Age Friendly Seattle joined with other aging advocacy organizations in a live online conversation about the health and well-being of older adults with U.S. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, who represents Washington State’s 1st Congressional District in Washington, DC. YouTube
  • Civic Coffee: Finances and Aging—The August 25, 2022 event focused on preparing financially for older years, including avoiding scams and exploitation. Featuring speakers from King County’s Elder Abuse Project and Hopelink, the discussion highlighted some ways to manage finances, as well as shared some resources available in Seattle and King County to help older adults thrive. Facebook | YouTube
  • Civic Coffee: Parks and Recreation Month: The July 21, 2022 Civic Coffee focused on how the presence of parks and access has the power to connect older adults with their communities. Panelists include Paige Denison, Director of Health, Wellness & Project Enhance, Sound Generations; Tamara Keefe, Lifelong Recreation Specialist, Dementia-Friendly Recreation I Rainbow Recreation, City of Seattle; Jennifer Ott, Assistant Director of History Ink and the author of Olmsted in Seattle. Facebook | YouTube
  • Civic Coffee: Alzheimer's and Brain Health Awareness Month: The June 23, 2022 Civic Coffee focused on brain health and the different ways communities are impacted, including LGBTQ+ older adults, African American elders, and caregivers. Panelists brought unique perspectives from academia, government, and community organizations, including Charles Pitre Hoy-Ellis, University of Utah; Karen Winston, Seattle Human Services; and Lionel Wang, Alzheimer’s Association WA. Facebook | YouTube
  • Older Americans Month: On May 19, 2022, we celebrated Older Americans Month with a panel discussion on ways older adults contribute as community leaders, volunteers, workers, caregivers, and in many other capacities. We’ll highlight the value older adults bring to the workplace and share some resources and social services available in Seattle and King County. Flyer | Facebook | YouTube
  • Fair Housing Month: The March 31, 2022 Civic Coffee featured Fair Housing Month and a panel discussion about history, resources, challenges, and opportunities in Seattle's Central District. TraeAnna Holiday, Converge Media, moderated the discussion with panelists Edna Daigre, Ewajo Dance Studio and Seattle Central College instructor; Rico Quirindongo, Seattle Office of Planning & Community Development; Wyking Garrett, Africatown CEO; and Maiko Winkler-Chin, Seattle Office of Housing. Facebook
  • Black History Month: Seattle's African Descent Communities—2/3/2022: Featured a panel discussion on resources, challenges, and opportunities, with Emmanuel N. Muvunyi, International Rescue Committee/Seattle (panel moderator); Pamela J. Williams, Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman and Mayor's Council on African American Elders; Faiza Hamza, East African Senior Center; and Luanda Arai, Seattle Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs. Facebook | YouTube (video pending)

Check out more recordings of past events on our YouTube Channel and click here to go directly to our Civic Coffee playlist. Stay up to date by 'Liking' Age-Friendly Seattle on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

For additional events, you can also visit the Citywide Event Calendar and individual department calendars.