Contacts: Lori Johnson (ljohnson@healthypeninsula.org) & Anne Schroth (aschroth@healthypeninsula.org)
Joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities: 2016-09-15
Structure: Regional initiative with staff support and leadership from Healthy Peninsula (health care organization)
Communities: Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Castine, Penobscot, Segewick, Surry, Deer Isle, and Stonington
Highlight of 2023: We are most proud of leading a complex community collaboration to launch date. The project will train and match volunteers to community members in need of support understanding and accessing community-based resources. The barriers include the complicated dynamics of multi-agency partnerships, working with a large hospital system that is not designed to be collaborative, and funding to ensure sustainability. Despite these barriers, we are launching this month!
Age-Friendly Coastal Community's Initiatives and Accomplishments:
Civic Participation and Employment
Volunteer Recognition events
Resource & Volunteer Recruitment Fair, in partnership with Friends in Action and AFCC partners
Communication and Information
Online Resource Guide
Community Supports and Health Services
Simmering Pot Soup Delivery: weekly meal delivery, in collaboration with The Simmering Pot, for community members who cannot attend the community meal in person
Matter of Balance: train the trainers and organizing classes, in partnership with EAAA
Bridging Neighbors: volunteer-based community health outreach project to support social determinants of health
Magic Food Bus: seasonal mobile farm stand delivering free, fresh, local produce, books, and resource information to locations throughout 9-town region
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (delivery of monthly USDA food boxes to low-income, older people in partnership with EAAA)
Outdoor Spaces and Public Buildings
Worked with Blue Hill Heritage Trust to develop accessible trail
Social Participation
Walk-in Café: weekly coffee hour/social time/resource outlet; outdoor in warm weather, near an accessible walking trail; inside during colder months