Aging in Paradise hires new executive director

Longboat Island Chapel announced the hiring of Donna Dunio for the new position of executive director of its Aging in Paradise Resource Center (AIPRC).

Dunio will become the nonprofit organization’s first paid employee and was chosen from a pool of 102 applicants.

Dunio is an 18-year Sarasota resident who has served as senior director of resource development for American Red Cross Southwest Florida Chapter and had leadership involvement with local service-orientated organizations, including Tidewell Hospice, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Suncoast Workforce and ITNSarasota.

“To take our concept to the next step, we really needed someone who had the time and energy to focus on the mission and had a lot of connections to services in the community,” said Dick Pelton, who chaired the selection committee.

AIPRC is not a health-care facility, however, it aims to serve as a liaison between individuals facing age-related issues and the organizations and services available for everything from health problems and memory loss to financial planning.

The concept for AIPRC came about more than six years ago as the result of aging issues that many chapel members saw within their congregation.

Since establishing the organization in 2010, the chapel has completed the addition of an elevator and renovation of 3,700 square feet of space to accommodate Resource Center programming.

AIPRC currently provides educational seminars and classes, counseling, support and referrals to partners. Earlier this year, it hosted a health fair that drew approximately 20 vendors.

Cindy Clay has served as AIPRC’s volunteer director for the past year.

According to a news release, the new executive director position will allow AIP to expand its services.
Dunio will assume the new position Oct. 23.