AARP Chapter 632 met Tuesday, Aug. 29, at the James B. Allen Generations Center. Elizabeth Gay, president, opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag. Betty Ratliff Smith gave the invocation. Musicians Tim Talbert and Kevin Sparks entertained on keyboard and trumpet.

Following a potluck meal, Terry Davidson, director of the Clark County Homeless Coalition, gave a report on the Coalition located at 19 Wainscott Ave.

The center can house 16 families at a time. She said they served 38 people when they opened in 2009. In 2016, they served 233. They screen everyone they admit to the shelter.

Services provided include helping substance abusers obtain housing and counseling (available on site), courses on computer skills, leadership training, etc. They try to help however they can. For example, the Coalition purchased steel-toed boots for one man to help him secure a job.

Davidson said they mostly take in residents of Clark County, but accept persons from surrounding counties as well. She has applied to various organizations for grants totaling $443,000. Other than financial help, they need white bath towels, twin sheets, blankets, window cleanser, bleach, body wash, razors, sugar and many other types of items. The Homeless Coalition will hold a Serendipity brunch and auction on Saturday, Sept. 30^, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Fire, 2410 W. Lexington Ave. Call 744-8733 for reservations.

Shari Bates from the Chronic Pain Support Group spoke next. She said people tend to think if you can’t see it, then pain is not there. But a lot of people suffer with chronic pain. Sometimes it is so bad people commit suicide.

Dr. Debora Tallio, of Mindful Medicine in Lexington, then addressed the group about preventing and curing disease. She recommended pursuing a healthy lifestyle by eating fruits and vegetables and avoiding meats and dairy products. She also advocated exercise, stress management and meditation. The phone number for the Chronic Pain Support Group is 859-254-2774.

The next AARP meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 26^, at 6 p.m. at the James B. Allen Generations Center. Derrick Hord from the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging will speak on Dementia. Everyone 50 years of age or older is invited to attend.