Smyth, Wythe TRIAD chapters win grants to continue helping senior citizens
Two related organizations that are working to help senior citizens live safely and well were awarded the necessary grant funding to continue those efforts.
According to the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, the TRIAD chapters in Smyth and Wythe counties received $2,500 each to continue their educational campaigns.
Statewide, TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations to share information on how seniors can avoid becoming victims of crime and enhance the safety and quality of their lives.
In Smyth County, the program is a partnership of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s and Sheriff’s offices, Chilhowie Baptist Church, District Three, and the Attorney General's Office.
Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins expressed his gratitude for the funding.
“We plan to use the $2,500 grant funding to provide hot meals for the seniors who attend our quarterly briefings. Offering a hot meal helps make the events more accessible and welcoming and gives us an opportunity to bring seniors together while connecting them with law enforcement, community partners, and valuable resources,” said Blevins.
The money will be used similarly in Wythe County, where Sheriff’s Office Captain Brian Vaught said they also provide lunch for the seniors who attend as well as educational handouts.
“Most of the materials we provide cover scams, estate planning, and other services that seniors need to be aware of,” Vaught said.
The next Wythe County TRIAD meeting will take place on Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Wytheville Meeting Center.
The programs for next year in Wythe are still being developed.
In Smyth, the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at noon at the Chilhowie Baptist Ministry Center with a focus on Heat Smart & Food Security Information. Information will be presented by the American Red Cross, Chilhowie Fire Department, and the Department of Social Services.
Next year, Smyth’s TRIAD chapter will host a session on avoiding online love and phishing scams on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2027, at noon at the Chilhowie Baptist Ministry Center. The information will be presented by the Virginia State Police.
On May 27, 2027, at noon in the Chilhowie Town Park, during Older American’s Day, the Smyth chapter will host a session on Protecting Your Legacy, including information on Virginia Deed Alert and Advanced Medical Directives.
Then, on Aug. 24, 2027, at noon, a meeting will focus on not falling for fraud and avoiding unlicensed contractors at the Chilhowie Baptist Ministry Center.
Smyth and Wythe were among 30 TRIAD chapters that were awarded similar grants.
“Virginians everywhere continue to experience an increasingly complex threat environment as it relates to scams and fraud, and our seniors are especially vulnerable to these attacks. TRIAD organizations across the Commonwealth play an integral role in educating Virginians on scams and working hand-in-hand with law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations to stop them,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “Supporting TRIAD chapters in their efforts to better awareness, spot trends, and respond to community concerns in real time is how we protect consumers on the ground-level. I’m proud of each of the grantees… and look forward to making communities safer with their partnership.”
According to the Attorney General’s Office, TRIAD grant funds go to support critical community-level efforts administered by local TRIAD chapters, including Scam & Financial Fraud, Emergency Preparedness Resources, Community Safety Conferences, and Specialized Outreach Programs.
“These TRIAD chapters are doing important work in our communities, and we’re here to support them. This year’s grant budget was larger than the last two years, a direct nod towards the Attorney General’s commitment to TRIAD and Virginia’s senior,” said Benjamin Bickel, TRIAD Coordinator.“ The grant application process was highly competitive this year, demonstrating just how active TRIAD chapters across Virginia are.”
The goal of TRIAD is to reduce seniors' fear of crime and victimization by increasing awareness of scams and frauds targeting them, strengthening communication between law enforcement and senior communities, and educating seniors on local and state resources available in their community.
