Our Charlotte Elder Affairs Network is a “coalition” whose membership consists of public and private health, human and social service organizations and others concerned with elder issues.
Its purpose is to identify services in the Charlotte County area and to share that knowledge; to provide pertinent information and referral; to analyze unmet needs; advocate for appropriate and effective solutions; and to increase public awareness of the elder services available in our community.
A Word About our Members
In the summer of 1991 a small group of providers and concerned individuals established a “networking” coalition with one common goal; to achieve more comprehensive and consistent services for the elderly in Charlotte County. Thus, O.C.E.A.N. was formed.
No one could possibly have imagined how large and how resilient that group would eventually become. Surviving location changes, deaths of founding members and even a hurricane, this diverse group of community members and compassionate senior advocates has become a recognizable network of information, resources and understanding when it comes to the necessary facts needed to make important decisions about elder needs, whether for you, a loved one, client or patient.
Because we are not for profit, we rely on membership dues & donations to have available funds for serving our senior population. We also utilize the services of our membership whenever possible. Fortunately, we serve in a very generous community and have been able to fulfill most requests and needs either privately of through other agencies.
O.C.E.A.N., an acronym for Our Charlotte Elder Affairs Network, is proud to acknowledge those founding members, in particular Dolly Dessart, who not only had the vision, but more importantly, the “glue” to bring it all together. Today, O.C.E.A.N. consists of over 200 professionals representing more than 100 companies, ready and willing to do whatever they can to assist and improve the quality of life for our senior community.
So we dedicate this website to Dolly for giving us the inspiration and still caring why we are here and where we should be going.
Karen Amador, OCEAN President
For more information e-mail OCEAN or call (941) 235-4500.
