Connecticut is the 7th oldest state in the nation, and as more residents turn 65 every day, it will age even more rapidly. With this new reality comes an unprecedented societal opportunity to tap into a dynamic force ̶ seasoned adults ready to create their own ‘third acts” -- to address community challenges. Dick Goldberg, Director of Coming of Age, shared insight and knowledge about how people 50+ can explore their future; connect and contribute through opportunities, both paid and unpaid, in their communities. Stacey Easterling, Programme Executive, Atlantic Philanthropies offered comments about the foundations’ emphasis to raise the visibility about the needs of older adults and shared information on a key initiative - The Community Experience Partnership (CEP).
As a learning community a group of foundations, CEP worked to find new ways to engage the rapidly growing population of people over 60 in activities that serve others, improve quality of life and tackle pressing issues. Providing concrete examples of how older adults are benefiting their communities, two members of CEP, Dr. Lelia DeAndrade, Director of Competitive Grantmaking, Maine Community Foundation and Terry Kaelber, CEP Project Director, United Neighborhood Houses of New York joined the presentation.
They each offered an overview about the programs their organizations have been involved with:
- The Maine Community Foundation, in partnership with the University of Maine Center on Aging to offer the Encore Leadership Corps (ENCorps), a statewide initiative that provides training in civic engagement and leadership skills for experienced Mainers aged 50 and older.
- United Neighborhood Houses of New York in partnership with The New York Community Trust started Healthy Food, Healthy Communities, a program that recruits older adults to help people in low-income neighborhoods eat better through a wholesale fresh food buyers’ club, work on urban farms, selling food at local farmers’ markets, and growing food on public housing grounds.