4-20: Marilyn Olson Executive Director of VillagesOKC – It is a Plan for the 50-Plus NOT a Place!
This week on The Rise & Thrive OSJ Radio Hour, Saturdays 9:05 a.m. on The Eagle, KZLS 1640AM or listen in on the OSJ app and website “Home Page” anytime! In-studio: Marilyn Olson Executive Director of the Non-Profit VillagesOKC – It is a Plan for the 50-Plus NOT a Place!
Marilyn Olson is Director for VillagesOKC which is Oklahoma City’s first and only virtual community. It’s a Plan not a place. VillagesOKC, Inc is a non profit cooperative of like-minded mature adults who volunteer and help each other as we age in our own homes. Ms. Olson is an Oklahoma farm-girl holding a degree in Education from Southern Nazarene University. For the past 35 years she’s tackled issues of aging from within several retirement communities, hospitals and nursing homes and as frequent caregiving consultant to families. She has extensive experience as the responsible caregiver for several family members. At separate times she has been caregiver for a 92-year old Aunt in Medford, an 89 year old uncle in Marlow, and for ten years her 103 year old mother. Marilyn and her husband say they are enjoying their best decade yet with three grown daughters, their husbands and 10 above-average grandchildren.
We are an Oklahoma not for profit corporation established September 2017 by a group of volunteer neighbors. The vision is for many cooperative Villages across the Oklahoma City metro area. As a hub organization, we share knowledge and resources, still allowing multiple Villages to develop their own neighborhood organizations. We believe by working together we can accomplish more but share what is common thus minimizing costs. The hub nurtures, coaches and supports the work of each village within the spoke.
Ginny Curtis founder and Back bone of MCM Insurance has worked in the insurance industry for 34 years. She is passionate about educating seniors so they feel confident in making decisions about their health coverage. Ginny enjoys playing an active role in the lives of her children and grandchildren.
Jennifer Melton, co-director of MCM Insurance licensed for 8 years, holds a masters degree in education. She loves spending time with her clients and guiding them through the process of selecting the plan they deserve. She is a loving wife and mother of two children who enjoys home making and quilting.
Denise began her career as a radio personality in New Orleans. After marrying Rick, Denise became a full-time mother of triplets and spent the next 20 years caring for two sons and one daughter. For the last five years, Denise and her husband are the sole owners of Senior Care Referral Services and have helped hundreds of families each year navigate the often confusing options of residential senior care – all at no cost to the families they serve!
Rick was a hotel General Manager for 25+ years with Hilton Hotels until he and his wife started Senior Care Referral Services. Rick & Denise realized that having a local trusted group that could walk with families through this process would be valuable here in Oklahoma City. Senior Care Referral Services is now the longest running and largest local placement company in the State – and they offer all their services at NO COST to the families they serve.
Senior Care Referral Services of Oklahoma
Larry Reed, the Man On Weed, is an on air personality that joined Cannabis Network Media in 2014. Since then he has covered the cannabis world and has reached over 5 million people, focusing on the medicinal properties of the plant along with the industrial and recreational aspects. Larry Reed’s focus is to do live broadcasting from industry events and bring the experience to a world wide audience to those events! 
Carri Lawrence the owner of “Chronic Brands” in Oklahoma has been in the professional staffing and employment arena for over 20 years. The goal of the “Chronic Brands” is to be the one stop shop for anyone needing assistance in the cannabis industry from one of Oklahoma’s first virtual doctor recommendation scheduling services, “Chronic Docs” pairs the 
Also ~ Patrick O’Kane with Sunbeam Family Services on The OSJ Radio Hour – Talking All Things: Senior Day at the State Capitol, April 8th 9:30am to 1:30pm- “STAND UP FOR SENIORS”
Susan Ellis serves as Area Commander for The Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma. Susan oversees programs and services throughout the service area of Canadian, Cleveland and Oklahoma counties. She grew up in Augusta, Georgia and attended the University of Georgia, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. She enjoys knitting and crocheting, cooking, and cycling with her husband.
Jill Walker plays a very active role at The Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma through her volunteerism. She currently serves on The Salvation Army Advisory Board and is treasurer for The Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma’s Women’s Auxiliary. She is co-owner of Maccini Construction Company, a general contracting and construction management firm in business since 1982, providing commercial and residential construction services.
Claire Dowers-Nichols is the Executive Director of Healthy Living OKC, Oklahoma City’s first MAPS 3 Adult Wellness Center. Claire has spent her career developing programs to better serve older Oklahomans. She serves in a variety of leadership and advisory roles for state and national organizations and is excited to be involved with Senior Day at the Capitol. 
