Bridging Neighbors:
How Age-Friendly Stonington's Healthy Island Project Fills the Gaps Others Cannot 

Ten years ago, when Healthy Island Project (HIP) in Stonington hired René Colson as its Executive Director, the agenda included health-focused community programs and thriving-in-place. Colson did not have a big strategic vision, she said, but rather a philosophy to “look for what needed life and energy and make the work joyful and fun.” Over the last decade the small project found many initiatives in need of life and energy, resulting in a budget that has grown to nearly half a million dollars.

In discussing the growth of the organization and its purpose, Colson described the ways in which success came from adversity, mainly in the form of the challenges brought by the COVID pandemic in 2020.  This adversity helped strengthen HIP and its work and gave supporters an opportunity to show the depth of their dedication to working for the common good. “Food security and meaningful connections suddenly became absolutely central to what we do,” said Colson. The growth in capacity that came from surmounting challenges made another ambitious new program possible.

Called Bridging Neighbors, the new program works in partnership with the nearby organization Healthy Peninsula based in Blue Hill, and shares resources with many other community-based organizations that make up Age-Friendly Coastal Communities.  The initiative engages peer volunteers, some of whom are now being trained as community health workers, who then work one-on-one with older adults to improve access to resources that support health and well-being.  In doing this they also provide personal connection with the goal of reducing social isolation and loneliness. 

Referring to the need for services in her community and in Hancock County in general, Colson says “the resource gaps are expanding and expanding rapidly, and we are trying to fill those gaps locally as best we can.”  She adds that the program, like all HIP programs, runs on trust and access.  “We are the ones doing the work,” she said, “and we’re doing it without reimbursements or federal or state funding.”  An older islander might need a ramp built or home safety modifications, help applying for MaineCare or housing applications, HIP LunchBox meals delivered or food support from HIP’s Pantry. The inspiration to work for the good of all comes from a community ethic of deep care for one another and a commitment to dignity, respect, compassion and joy.  Colson adds that since COVID Hancock County does not have a single skilled nursing home remaining, a fact she cites to illustrate just how great the local needs really are.  “Every challenge,” says Colson, “creates a new opportunity.”  In its first three years, Bridging Neighbors has already served over 100 community members.