As a grantee of The Sarah Ralston Foundation, Connectedly is proud to be a nonprofit empowered to champion older adults by focusing on combating social isolation. Our pilot program Connect4Health, collaborates with health systems and major home health providers that serve older residents of Philadelphia by providing our evidenced-based Connectedly telehealth group model for older adults identified as “high risk” for social isolation, loneliness, and lack of social connection.
Post-Event Summary: Advocacy in Action – October 22, 2024 On October 22, the Sarah Ralston Foundation (SRF) and the Foundation for Health Equity (F4HE) came together to host "Advocacy in Action: Empowering Nonprofits to Champion Older Adults" — a conversation for nonprofit leaders dedicated to supporting our elders. The event, held at Braid Mill in Philadelphia's Germantown, was born out of discussions from the previous convening, where attendees expressed the need for deeper conversations about advocacy. This enthusiasm shaped the theme of the session, which exceeded expectations with 30 engaged participants, the maximum capacity of the room. Bethany Flood, Executive Director of F4HE, highlighted the value of creating spaces for nonprofits to connect: “Advocacy thrives when organizations network, collaborate, and share ideas. This convening allowed us to foster these connections, helping nonprofits grow stronger together as they champion the needs of older adults.” David Griffith from Center in the Park (CIP) shared CIP’s innovative advocacy initiatives, emphasizing their commitment to centering members' voices. He described CIP’s engagement with city and state officials, advocacy efforts around the redevelopment of the Germantown YWCA, and participation in campaigns like the “Aging Our Way PA” planning process. His presentation underscored the importance of community-based participatory research and building strong partnerships to amplify advocacy impact. Karen Buck of SeniorLAW Center discussed the legal boundaries for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in advocacy, differentiating between issue education, lobbying, and political activity. She highlighted the organization’s work on guardianship reform, eviction prevention, and funding advocacy for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Karen’s talk equipped attendees with practical strategies to remain compliant while making meaningful contributions to policy conversations. The diversity of participants—from organizations like Generations Online, Urban Resources and Development Corporation, Abramson Senior Care, African Family Health Organization, and the Health Federation of Philadelphia—fostered dynamic conversations throughout the event. Attendee Toby Dichter of Generations Online reflected, “In all my years of working with foundations, I’ve never seen this level of engagement and genuine interest in our work.” Tomiko Shine of Aging People in Prison Human Rights Campaign added, “We are each other’s resource, partner, collaborator, and change agents. Thank you for your intentional thoughtfulness and efforts on our behalf.” The event concluded with discussions on future topics, with participants expressing strong interest in sessions focused on fundraising, grant writing, and housing challenges. Both SRF and F4HE remain committed to supporting these evolving needs by continuing to convene meaningful conversations and empowering nonprofits in ways that matter most to them.