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Community Connector Spotlight:
The Community Connector Pilot is part of the Community Connections project, a signature initiative of the Governor's Cabinet on Aging, partnering with the University of Maine Center on Aging, Lifelong Maine's Age-Friendly Communities, and Maine's Area Agencies on Aging.
The goal of the Community Connector Pilots is to expand resource connections and increase the capacity of age-friendly communities to connect residents to the services and programs they need to thrive. Each of the 12 pilot projects built on the strengths and needs in their community so each is a little different.
To learn more about all of the pilots, visit Community Connector Pilot Sites.
Community members gather for
a Grateful Undead Senior Lunch program
In far western Maine’s Sacopee Valley, the Grateful Undead Community Connector pilot program is meeting long-standing challenges in a region where fierce independence is a way of life. Spread across five towns and three counties, residents here are proud, self-reliant, and deeply rooted in community. Many older adults wish to age in place—but with most aging-related services located more than an hour away, access can be daunting, and social isolation is a growing concern.
The Community Connector (CC) project set out to change that, meeting people where they are and helping them stay connected, informed, and supported in meaningful ways.
A Vision Grounded in Community
A Vision Grounded in Community
The pilot is guided by three core goals:
Combat loneliness and isolation, now recognized by the Surgeon General and the World Health Organization as public health risks on par with smoking.
Bring aging services closer to home, making them more accessible through partnerships with local organizations and regional or statewide groups like AARP, agencies on aging, and community action programs.
Offer personalized benefit checks and navigation support, connecting individuals directly to programs, resources, and events.
At the heart of the effort is Jamie Gleason, an Outreach Worker and long-time local resident, who serves as the Community Connector. Jamie’s role goes far beyond referrals—she works face-to-face with individuals to help them understand their options, complete applications, and stay engaged with both services and community life.
Jamie Gleason
A Calendar That Builds Belonging
A Calendar That Builds Belonging
One of the project’s most visible and celebrated successes has been the creation of the Senior Friendly Events Calendar, a monthly full-page spread in the Your Weekly Shoppers Guide newspaper, which reaches 13,500 households. It lists social, recreational, and educational events that welcome older adults, many of whom had previously felt disconnected. One community member stated “ "Seeing everything in one place helps me find exactly what I need.”
In April, the calendar featured 58 events, with more than 400 community members attending—many at multiple gatherings. These aren't just numbers—they reflect a shift. One man who had been battling isolation and depression began attending events regularly, even offering rides to others. “He told me it’s getting him out of the house and giving him a sense of purpose,” Jamie shared. “He said he’s starting to feel like the person he used to be. It was powerful to see him smile.”
A community member on a new ramp giving her safe access to her home.
Bringing Services Home
Bringing Services Home
Jamie has worked hard to bring service providers directly to the community. For example, Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) is offering one-on-one appointments at a local town office.
A standout partnership was formed with AARP Tax-Aide and the Sacopee Valley Health Center, resulting in three local tax clinics. Thirty-seven individuals received assistance, securing $29,543 in refunds, much of which will go back to necessities like property taxes, although now residents can feel ahead rather than behind on payments. The strong response indicates a major win: the area will become an official AARP Tax-Aide site next year, allowing people to access this critical support in the convenience of their own community.
One-on-One Support That Matters
One-on-One Support That Matters
Beyond programs and events, the true strength of the Community Connector model is in its personalized, one-on-one support. Jamie makes more than 30 connections each month, assisting with everything from Medicare Savings Program applications to SNAP enrollment, fuel assistance, and access to transportation. These in-depth sessions often last over an hour and may include follow-ups, reflecting the complexity and importance of navigating systems that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
To make support even more accessible, Jamie partners with local town offices—which now provide private meeting spaces and refer residents directly to her. Town clerks, already attuned to the needs of their communities, have become vital allies in the effort.
The project also collaborates with the Sacopee Valley Health Center, local libraries, and Adult Education programs to co-host workshops, offer meeting spaces, and broaden the reach of services.
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead
The early impact of the pilot is undeniable: it’s helped reduce isolation, improved access to critical services, and sparked new partnerships that strengthen the fabric of the community. But Jamie and the Grateful Undead team are already looking ahead, grateful for the opportunity to continue their project for a second year.
Efforts are underway to streamline volunteer training between SMAA and SeniorsPlus so trained helpers can serve across county lines, increasing flexibility and reach. The long-term goal is simple but powerful: a community-centered model where local people support each other—neighbors helping neighbors in lasting, life-enhancing ways.
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