b"centageofadultsover65than anyofitsneighboringtowns: just 12 percent of the population. The over 65s account for nearly 20 percent of the population in West Orange, compared with 18 percent of those living in Livings-tonand17percentinUnion. Even Millburn has a higher rate. Partoftheproblem,saysCar- The Senior Technology Workshops help residents use their devices to improve their connection roll, is that there are relatively fewwith family and friends, and access learninghousingoptionsavailable.Ma- opportunities and virtual fitness. They are acollaboration between SOMA Two Towns for All plewood has one dedicated seniorAges and Seton Hall's Center for Community housing building in addition toResearch and Engagement. therelativelypriceyWinchester Gardens.CarrollsaysSouthOrangewho now works on aging issues at the has two dedicated apartment buildings,state level. Rowe mentions the Commu-and both have waiting lists. nity Coalition on Race, the nationally TransformativeCarroll is a big advocate for alterna- recognized nonprofit that was founded career and job changetive housing options for aging adults.in 1996, and which brought the two Shewouldliketoseethetownsex- towns national recognition for its work actuation and navigation: plore house sharinga concept whereon building a diverse community. Interview Preparation one senior might take in a roommateThere are other even older institu-to share the costs of ownership and al- tionswithinthetwotownsborders,Job Change Strategyleviate loneliness. many of which depend on older volun- Compensation Negotiation teers to keep running: The Maplewood Garden Club, for example, is celebrat- Rsum & Social Media Revamp ingits95thyear;MarilynSchnaars,who was born in Orange in 1932 and Do any of these use cases apply to you? has spent her entire life in SOMA, isIve decided to leave my company; how do I manage joboneamongseveralretireeswhoarechange, quickly and discreetly? membersand workers at the clubsMy rsum isnt really me; do I even need one? Isntannual plant sale. The Morrow ChurchLinkedIn enough?(Hints: yes, and no!) Maplewood and South Orange provideTurnoverSale,anothersalethathas transportation for seniors to local destina- I apply for lots of jobs but I never get replies; what can I do? tions and shopping areas. Visit somaachieved institutional status, has long My employer undervalues me; how do I negotiate for twotownsforallages.org/transportation forbeen run by a phalanx of mostly retired more money? more information. women. And even though Moore is aI m competing for a coveted promotion; how do I manageManytownofficersareonboardrecent transplant, she still spent more up and earn the role? withAlternativeDwellingUnits,thaneightyearsaspresidentoftheIhave a job offer but the one I really want is comingsoon.smaller structures that go up on exist- Friends of South Orange Library, the How do I juggle and get the one I want? ing single family lots and provide small,indispensable group that raises moneyF ailure To Launch: I have an adult child who cant engageindependentlivingoptionsforagingtokeepthelibraryrichinmaterials with the job market; how do I help my loved one to fly? parents (see page 31).Taxes are alwaysand programming. I have a low offer for a job I really want; how do I ask foran issue, very difficult for seniors toTheres not anything cute aboutmore without losing the opportunity? manage after theyve retired, says Crys- seniors, Moore says with some irrita- My toxic colleague is poisoning my job; how do I take backtal, especially if one of the spouses hastion. They are people living their lives,my work life? died.CrystalhascalledMaplewoodlike everyone else, trying to be part of home for 40 years. She never intendedcommunity and contribute to it.Since 2009, has been answeringto stay so long. But, she says, You be- Thegoalofpublichealth,says these questions and many more, helping peoplecome attached to a place after a while.Rowe,whohasadoctorateinit,is reinvigorate their professional lives, from careerYou put down roots I will stay herehealthy agingat both a national and beginnings to the C-Suite.as long as I can, but at the same time Icommunity level. In SOMA, We val-want to make a contribution. ue our diversity, she says. That must Move your excellence, on your own terMs! She is far from alone. includediversityofage.Wedont The reason that this is such a desir- want a community where people come, David Hays Buckley able community is because of the peo- raise kids and then move. 973.202.7177ple who have built it over the last 20,Tia Swanson moved to South Orange in dhbuckley@intervyou.com 30, 40 years, says Maplewood resident1997 and went from a newbie with no Intervyou.comCathy Rowe, who was the first directorkids to an oldster with grown children in intervyou.tm of SOMA Two Towns for All Ages andwhat feels like the blink of an eye.30 / matters magazine / spring 2022 4/15/22 3:32 PMIntervYou 1/3pg.indd 5"