when people move together,
communities thrive 

We have been hearing about a lot of movement in Maine's age-friendly communities: people are lacing up their sneakers, stepping into gyms, and joining exercise classes — and finding that the benefits go well beyond the physical.

In Monmouth, a new walking group has drawn 27 participants, and the new age-friendly coordinator, Darlene Sanborn, noticed something unexpected. The walks have become a gathering place to share news about other community programs and activities — a kind of moving bulletin board. "Word travels on foot," in Monmouth Lifelong Community.

They're not alone. In Bethel, a partnership with Gould Academy opened the school gymnasium twice a week for community members to "walk the gym" through the cold winter months — a chance to keep moving while catching up with old friends and making new ones. The group had so much fun that they are moving outdoors—to a new trail that is accessible for all abilities. In Caribou, the Bone Builders exercise class is going strong with 25 participants and two volunteer leaders. Cary Hospital, the sponsor of Age-Friendly Caribou, is so excited by their success that they are adding a Line Dance class to bring even more opportunities for movement and connection.

Gray and New Gloucester have seen that momentum build in an unexpected way: after a successful Matter of Balance class offered through a partnership with MaineHealth, 11 participants were so inspired that they signed up to become volunteer leaders of a new Bone Builders group. Participants becoming leaders — that's a community in motion in every sense of the word.

In Raymond, Chair Yoga and Cribbage have launched in tandem, drawing residents together around both movement and play.

Across Maine, age-friendly communities are learning what Monmouth's walkers discovered firsthand: when you give people a reason to show up and move, the connections — and the conversations — follow naturally.