Transcript Community Organizing & Coalition Building

More seniors, living longer –
part of "the new normal“
Trends from NYS
(and beyond)
Susan Weinrich
New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.
www.nycon.org
Community Focus | Statewide Impact | National Network
Trends
Aging in Place describes a choice made by many
older adults to remain in the communities where
they have lived
•
The advantages of this choice need to be maximized &
the challenges mitigated
 Community Empowerment Initiatives
•
•
Livable communities
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities
(NORCS)
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ADDRESSES
BASIC NEEDS
∙AFFORDABLE
HOUSING
∙INVOLVEMENT IN
COMMUNITY LIFE
∙SAFE HOMES AND
∙CONNECTIONS WITH
FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS &
FAMILY
STREETS
∙CONGREGATE OR
HOME DELIVERED
MEALS
∙INFORMATION &
ASSISTANCE
PROMOTES
SOCIAL & CIVIC
ENGAGEMENT
∙MEANINGFUL
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
LIVABLE
COMMUNITIES
∙PREVENTION
PROGRAMMING
∙ACCESSIBLE MEDICAL
CARE
∙ACTIVITIES TO MINIMIZE
ISOLATION
ADVANCES
HEALTH &
WELLNESS
∙SUPPORT FOR FAMILY
AND OTHER INFORMAL
CAREGIVERS
∙ACCESSIBLE
TRANSPORTATION
∙TRUSTED HOME
SUPPORTS
FOSTERS
INDEPENDENCE
A Model of Data
Presentation
World Health
Organization,
Determinants of
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Active Aging
AARP Livable
Communities
• Design for living
– Help with local zoning ordinances that encourage universal
design
– Working on a NYS bill that would require any new road to be
user friendly for all ages.
– Pedestrian safety audit on web site
– Partner with any group on these issues & share material
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Some Examples
• Long Island – changed local ordinance to encourage universal
design with incentives instead of punitive provisions for new
construction
• In Westchester County & Suffolk County – any home built with
tax $ must incorporate universal design
• Monroe County – Aging in Place
– Looking at what can be done to stop the exodus from
Rochester
– Developed recommendations about community design,
housing, regional land use and development,
transportation
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NORC Programs
• Community Engagement (educational
programming, community action initiatives, and
opportunities for seniors to take on new roles).
• Social work services (to individuals, caregivers, and
groups of seniors).
• Health care-related services (addressing both
individual health management needs and the health of
a community).
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A Funding Strategy
Community Organizing
 NYS Office for Aging piloted program and funded 15
grants for “Community Empowerment” including
organizing and needs assessments and planning.
 NYCON provided 5 trainings throughout the state on
Community Organization and Coalition Building
 Primary challenge was on expanding mindset from
provider-client to seeing the entire community as
stakeholders and activists.
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Unlikely Partners
• Businesses and Employers
• Planning and Zoning Boards
• Architects and Housing Developers
– Universal design
•
•
•
•
Nonprofits as Volunteers Sites
Parents of young children (strollers, walkers, etc.)
Seniors/Boomers
Youth
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The Collaboration
Continuum for Coalitions
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Map Community
Services
Services
Blue: Health
Yellow: Faith
Red: Social
Green:
Recreation &
Education
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Resources
• www.ncoa.org: Resources for Baby Boomers and other older
adults to support vulnerable populations through multigenerational programming.
• www.volunteermatch.org/nonprofits/boomerbook. Boomer
Volunteer Engagement: Collaborate Today, Thrive Tomorrow,
from VolunteerMatch, provides a step-by-step practical guide
for engaging Boomers as volunteers who can help build
organizational capacity.
• http://cil.templecil.org/node/3 Temple University’s Center for
Intergenerational Learning launched a new online course
called “Capturing Experience: How People 50+ Can Help
Your Organization” to help organizations learn how to make
more effective use of Baby Boomers.
Community Focus | Statewide Impact | National Network