Annual Report
Dear Friends and Partners of Legacy Link,
It is my privilege to share with you Legacy Link’s Annual Report for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. This past year has been marked by significant shifts within the aging and disability services landscape—most notably the restructuring of the Administration for Community Living at the federal level. Understandably, these changes brought questions and concerns for the older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers who rely on stable, coordinated supports to navigate daily life.
Yet in the face of transition, one truth has remained unwavering: Legacy Link’s commitment to the people we serve.
While systems evolve and policies are rewritten, our mission stands firm. Throughout the past year, our team worked diligently to ensure that services continued without interruption and that individuals and families received the resources, guidance, and advocacy they deserved. I am especially proud that 93% of our funding went directly to programs, demonstrating our steadfast dedication to investing in meaningful, person-centered services.
These challenges have only strengthened our resolve. Thanks to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and community partners, we not only sustained our programs but continued to innovate, collaborate, and enhance the quality of life for those we serve.
This report highlights the impact of that collective effort. Within these pages, you’ll find stories of resilience, program achievements, financial stewardship, and measurable outcomes that reflect your support and trust. Together, we ensured that individuals and families across our region had a steady hand to guide them through a year of change.
As we look ahead, Legacy Link remains rooted in the values that have defined us for decades—compassion, integrity, and unwavering service. No matter how the landscape shifts, our commitment endures.
Thank you for standing with us. Your partnership makes our mission possible, and your belief in our work strengthens the legacy we build together.
With sincere gratitude,
Melissa Armstrong Chief Executive Officer
Meet Our Team
Pat Rylee Chief Financial Officer
Amaury Romaguera Human Resources Director
Elaine Harkins Aging and Disability Resource Connection Director
Amy Allen Health Programs Director
Jessica Zagarella Community Engagement Director
Tony Nguyen Finance Manager
Ashley Pitts Office Manager
Sandy Coker MIS Director
Christine Osasu Senior Community Service Employment Program Director
Lisa Howard Contracts & Quality Director
Board Members
Lynn Duke
Sid Jacobs
Pamela Elfenbein
Betty Fitts
Tammy Owens
Gail Lancaster
Susan Lancaster
Nerissa McPherson
Lamar Gailey
Belinda Dickey
Advisory Council
Chair
Susy Hollaway
Dawson County
Our
Clients Served Overall Service Area All Programs
33,385
Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)
Trained intake specialists provide anonymous and confidential access to information, referrals, and assistance concerning services for seniors, family members, and people with disabilities.
2,972
6,604 Calls Received First time callers
264
194 191
With a suspected dementia diagnosis
With a formal dementia diagnosis
MAC – Memory Assessment Clinic Referrals
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Success
Story
Supporting a Vulnerable Senior Through Crisis
A Legacy Link HCBS Case Manager received a referral for a senior in Hall County with dementia who was often disoriented and wandering. Initially, she accepted only Meals on Wheels and emergency food assistance funded through ARPA.
With her consent, the Case Manager contacted her out-of-state son. After a fall that resulted in a broken shoulder, the Case Manager coordinated with the hospital and the client’s son, leading to her screening for the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) and placement on the CCSP waiting list.
Together, they secured a Personal Care Home in Lumpkin County, ensuring the client received the care and supervision she needed to live safely and with dignity.
ARPA Supportive Services Success Story
Housing Stability Achieved Through Collaborative Support
A Legacy Link HCBS Case Manager received a referral for a client in Lumpkin County facing imminent eviction. After screening, the client was placed on the CCSP-PCH waiting list.
Recognizing the urgency, the Case Manager escalated the case to the ADRC Director, who worked with Legacy Link’s Finance Department to provide emergency housing support through ARPA funds. This collaboration allowed the client to move temporarily into a hotel, preventing homelessness.
Shortly after, the client was successfully admitted to a Personal Care Home in Lumpkin County, ensuring long-term stability, care, and support.
Care Consultation Clients Served
2.5 Money Follows the Person Transitions
1,178
Veterans Served
115 Options Counseling Clients Served
13 Nursing Home Transitions
Inspiring Care Consultation
A 95-year-old care receiver was added to the HDM wait list, and her caregiver was referred for support. The caregiver had been providing full-time care after a serious fall, managing all household tasks for eight months while putting her own life on hold.
When she reached out to Legacy Link for guidance, staff helped her explore priorities and options for self-care. She has begun communicating her needs and considering alternative care arrangements, taking the first steps toward balance and support.
Funding Flexibility Supports Essential Client Needs
Thanks to flexible funding, Legacy Link has been able to provide essential items to clients in need. The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) has seen a notable rise in requests for incontinence supplies—often overlooked but crucial for the health, dignity, and comfort of older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Access to these items helps prevent serious health issues, reduces caregiver burden, and supports clients’ independence at home. Nearly every client assisted this week called back with heartfelt thanks, highlighting the vital role these resources play in maintaining quality of life.
Through contracted services Legacy Link was able to provide the following services:
Respite Out-of-Home Services
8,941
Combined hours of respite service provided to 40 clients with programs in 4 senior centers
Respite In-Home Services
10,454
Combined hours of respite service provided to 37 clients
Adult Day Care Services
5,523
Combined hours of respite service provided to 13 clients
Assistive Technology (AT)
117
Clients received AT/Durable Medical Equipment (DME) through FODAC, material aid, and donations
26
Clients Served
Personal Care Services (PCS) Transportation
869
Clients Served in 12 Counties
Homemaker Services (HMK)
82
Clients Served
Elderly Legal Assistance Program (ELAP)
280
Clients Served
Wellness Programs at Senior Centers
Individuals were served in 15 Evidence-Based Wellness Classes: -A Matter of Balance -Bingocize
15,425
Clients were offered Wellness Programs at 11 Senior Centers
STORIES
S U C C E S S
In retirement, Kathy has found her purpose volunteering for the senior center. She conducts wellness checks and assists clients with errands, such as grocery shopping, when they cannot do so themselves. Kathy’s compassion and dedication show how volunteers address the practical needs of seniors, making daily life easier and more manageable.
Wellness programs at senior centers support the health and well-being of older adults. Exercise classes like low-impact aerobics, strength training, and yoga help maintain mobility and strength. Mental stimulation through puzzles, games, and memory exercises promotes cognitive health, while nutrition workshops and health screenings support healthy lifestyles and chronic condition management.
By combining physical, mental, and nutritional support, these programs help seniors stay active, engaged, and connected in their communities.
Longtime volunteer Bill serves a 100-year-old client who recently spent time in a nursing home. During each visit, he spends 20 minutes providing companionship and ensuring her wellbeing. Over two years, their relationship has had a profound impact on his life, inspiring a spiritual transformation and even a visit to the Holy Land.
Bill also supports the senior center by helping with activities like cornhole, fostering community among seniors.
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
17
Markets hosted in 12 counties
Senior Hunger Mini Grants were awarded by Legacy Link in the amount of $2,500 each to VFW Post 7807 in Hiawassee, GA and The Place (serving Forsyth and Dawson Co) to address the needs of older adults facing food insecurity.
Senior CentersNutrition Programs
92,473
Meals were provided to 1,418 participants attending 11 Senior Centers
376,895
Meals were provided to 2,256 participants through Home Delivered Meals
Towns and Union County Senior Centers served 64,160 meals in Congregate and Home Delivered Meals Programs combined.
844
Individuals provided fresh, locally grown produce
Volunteers are Valuable
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
RSVP is an AmeriCorps Seniors national program serving local communities. It is funded and administered by AmeriCorps, the Federal Agency for Volunteering and Service.
Bobbie Cox has been serving as an RSVP volunteer with the Legacy Link State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) since February 2016. SHIP assists Medicare beneficiaries. With a background in property insurance, Bobbie is great fit to help people with Medicare. After retirement Bobbie heard about the SHIP program from another volunteer. She began screening phone inquiries, doing data entry, and distributing information at outreach events. In 2018 after much study she completed the SHIP training modules, passed the online and oral exams, and became a federally certified SHIP counselor. They assist beneficiaries with options for Medicare health, supplement, and prescription drug plans. Bobbie likes the challenge of continuing to learn about Medicare and its changes. Medicare counselors must recertify each year by passing an exam. During her service she has become a volunteer leader on the SHIP team and serves as a mentor to new volunteers. Bobbie also assists beneficiaries with Medicaid applications. She especially enjoys being able to help beneficiaries understand the complicated Medicare system and get the best coverage for their individual situations. Her pleasant demeanor and willingness to help those needing Medicare assistance makes her a joy to work with and a huge asset to the Legacy Link SHIP team.
53,188
Meals delivered to older adults by 204 volunteers
310 Medicare beneficiaries counseled
11
Caregivers supported with respite time
15,376 Hours served
$501,719
Cost savings to organizations at GA Volunteer rate of $32.63 per hour
205 RSVP Volunteers
Fun Facts About Bobbie
• In February 2017 she was chosen as the GeorgiaCares State Volunteer of the Month for her dedication.
• This past year Bobbie served 317 hours and assisted 65 Medicare beneficiaries. She has donated almost 4000 lifetime hours to the program
This is Bobbie Cox.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Trained staff and volunteers provide free, factual, and unbiased Medicare counseling, assist with enrollment in all Medicare Programs and provide community education on topics including:
• Medicare (Parts A and B)
• Medicare supplemental insurance
• Medicare Part D prescription plans
• Fraud, abuse, and scams related to Medicare
• Identity theft
$98,011.42
Cost savings for clients during Open Enrollment
This project is supported by a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
355
Open Enrollment Beneficiaries
720 Georgia SHIP Beneficiaries Served
118
Financial assistance applications made for beneficiaries (Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help)
30
Under 65 Beneficiaries
Elderly & Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP)
Community Care Services Program (CCSP) and Service Options
Using Resources in a Community Environment (SOURCE) are part of the EDWP that provide in-home and community-based services as an alternative to a nursing home.
2,557
Total Number of EDWP Clients Served
1,979
CCSP Clients Served
578
SOURCE Clients Served
2.5
Years is the Average Time Clients Stay in EDWP
35 Counties Served Across Georgia
EDWP Success Story
Transforming Lives Through Care and Support
In June 2024, a CCSP case manager met Joe, who was living in a motel with no support, poor nutrition, and unsafe conditions. He was weak, malnourished, and isolated, struggling to survive.
Seven weeks later, Joe moved into a CCSP-approved personal care home. With personal care, proper nutrition, and physical therapy, he regained strength, mobility, and independence, gaining 30 pounds and improving his overall health.
Joe also received guidance from Legacy Link’s SHIP program to secure dentures, further enhancing his quality of life. Today, he is healthy, social, and thriving—a true testament to the life-changing impact of EDWP services.
EDWP Success Story Thriving at Home
When an older adult connected with Legacy Link’s EDWP, she was struggling with daily tasks and feeling isolated. With personalized support—including inhome personal care, nutrition assistance, and therapy—she gradually regained her strength and independence. Today, she can care for herself, enjoys visits with friends and neighbors, and participates in community activities she loves. EDWP services didn’t just provide care—they restored her confidence, joy, and sense of connection.
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a federally funded employment training program for limited-income seniors, aged 55 or older, who wish to re-enter the workforce.
The SCSEP program helps limited-income seniors refresh their job skills through a paid training assignment at a local non-profit or government agency. The goal of the SCSEP program is gainful employment for mature workers.
$3,262,510.64
649
SCSEP Success Stories
Mike Buice’s journey with Legacy Link began in August of 2024 when he joined as the Income Recertification Program Assistant.
With over three decades of experience in logistics, compliance, and administrative operations, Mike quickly became an essential asset to the team.
Recognizing his dedication and expertise, Legacy Link proudly hired Mike as the Senior Accounting Clerk, where he continues to bring excellence and integrity to every task.
Angela Ames joined SCSEP on June 12, 2024, and just seven months later, she was hired as an Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) Counselor.
“When I first walked into Legacy Link, I was nervous but hopeful,” Angela shared. “After being out of the workforce, I wanted to rebuild my confidence and find meaningful work. I didn’t realize how life-changing this program would be.”
“The SCSEP team believed in me and gave me opportunities to grow,” Angela said. “Their support helped me rebuild my confidence and excel. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and excited for this next chapter.”
Financial Summary
& NON-FEDERAL GRANTS/CONTRIBUTIONS/IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS 14,382,861 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 4,949,584 OTHER INCOME 45,521
PUBLIC SUPPORT & REVENUE 19,377,966
4,136,963
4,281,700
93% OF OUR FUNDING WAS USED FOR DIRECT SERVICES
Linking People to the Support they Deserve
Learn how you can get involved!
As a non-profit organization, there are many ways that you can help us achieve our mission to support and advocate for aging adults and individuals with disabilities to be their link to a better life.
Your donation supports our mission to support and advocate for aging adults and individuals with disabilities to be their link to a better life. You can scan the QR code to make a tax-deductible contribution or send a check to: P.O. Box 1480, Oakwood, GA 30566
Fulfill our Amazon Wish List
Our Amazon Wish List is filled with items that bring comfort and joy to those we serve. Your gift can help us put smiles on their faces and remind them they are not forgotten. Scan the QR code to view our list.
Legacy Link relies on compassionate volunteers to help us meet the needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities in our community.
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