Volunteer Spotlight: Valencia Julien

During Black History Month, the Alzheimer’s Association, the leading volunteer-driven health organization in Alzheimer's care, support, advocacy and research, is highlighting inspiring stories and contributions from African American individuals making a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

Here in New Jersey, one individual making a difference is 17 years old, Valencia Julien of Morristown. Valencia is an Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter (AAGNJ) volunteer, who authored the children’s book, Giselle Learns About Alzheimer’s, for her Northern New Jersey Girl Scout Gold Award Leadership Project. Her motivation to write the book was seeing the disease take its toll on her grandparents first hand. Since publishing the book, Valencia has held workshops teaching elementary aged children about Alzheimer’s, and held her first reading virtually for the Roxbury Memory and Book Cafe. The attendees had overwhelming praise, as they asked questions and gave a helping hand in helping her develop future sessions.

Valencia explains, “This children's book explains in simple words what Alzheimer’s is, and gives examples of its effects. My goal was to help elementary kids understand how they can help their loved ones living with dementia. I hope the book will lead to healthy conversations between children and adults about Alzheimer’s and dementia, and thus bring awareness to what can be a daunting experience for both the patient and their family. A free copy of the book can be downloaded on Lulu.com and audio books in several languages are available on the Giselle Learns About Alzheimer’s YouTube channel.”

The Morris County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is also honoring Valencia on February 11 as the recipient of their 90th Anniversary Freedom Fund Youth Council Award.

Robyn Kohn, MA, CDP, CMDCP, Director of Programs and Services, AAGNJ, commented, “Valencia is an inspiration and guiding light for our families and persons living with Alzheimer's. She wrote a beautiful book about how to speak with children and families about Alzheimer's. Valencia is touching the lives of many families and it is my pleasure to share our knowledge and experiences with her so she can help move the Association’s mission forward - to accelerate global research, drive risk reduction and early detection, and maximize quality care and support.”

Kohn adds, “The need for strong voices on behalf of African American communities in the fight against Alzheimer’s has never been greater. African Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as older white Americans. African Americans may be more likely to be diagnosed in the later stages of the disease, when individuals are more cognitively and physically impaired – and therefore, are in need of more medical care, and despite their increased risk, Black Americans are underrepresented in clinical trials, making up only about 5% of all trial participants.”

To learn how you can volunteer and affect the lives of people living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers, visit https://alz.org/get-involved-now/volunteer.