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Age Friendly Anniversary

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One year ago, on March 8th 2016, Colorado Springs officially joined the Network of Age Friendly Communities! This day, marking our commitment to becoming a city that welcomes and supports people of all ages, was just the beginning.
Here’s a look back at that day as we accepted our certification:

In the last year we have made so much progress toward building a safer, healthier, and happier community for our residents, whether they are eight or eighty. Here are a few of our accomplishments:

  • Community surveys and meetings to assess current strengths and needs of seniors in our region
  • Drafting, approval, and release of the Age Friendly Report and Action Plan
  • Presentation of the Report and Action Plan to the Mayor
  • Kickoff celebration at Acacia Park, September 8th, 2016
  • The Livable Communities Forum, November 3rd, 2016
  • Age Friendly Business Certification with the Better Business Bureau
  • Launch of the ONEN iVillage in October, 2016
  • Project Visibility training hosted in Colorado Springs
  • Beginning of local work on the Conversation Project
  • Catalyzed collaboration of the Senior Center and Concrete Couch for intergenerational art programs
  • Monitoring Senior Center programming being implemented at local YMCAs
  • Encouraging development of the Senior Ambassador Program with Mountain Metro
  • Participation in community coalition to encourage our CDOT Commissioner to push for more multimodal transportation funding in Colorado Springs
  • Work with the Mayor to create a Commission on Aging, attached to City Council

Our City is more Age Friendly than it was a year ago, but we still have a lot of work to do. Thank you so much for your support so far- we couldn’t have done it without you! We look forward to working with you more as we implement the rest of the Age Friendly Action Plan!

City Council Candidate Forums

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We were delighted to help CONO and the Trails and Open Spaces Coalition partner with local community centers for candidate forums with the District 3&4 City Council candidates. Helen Collins, Yolanda L. Avila, and Deborah Hendrix of District 4, as well as Richard Skorman and Chuck Fowler of District 3 all participated.
These well attended events brought together a diverse crossection of the community to learn about the candidates, hear them speak about their positions, and ask questions. Thanks to all of the organizations, candidates, and citizens who participated! We’re looking forward to continuing our Age Friendly work in cooperation with the next City Council! Ballots will be mailed out starting on March 10th, and the last day to return your ballot will be April 4th. Don’t forget to vote!

State Plan on Aging

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As you may remember, the Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging, appointed by the Governor, spent most of last year working on their report and plan on aging in Colorado. The report was released in December and contains the overall vision for aging in Colorado, as well as nine specific recommendations. If you haven’t already, check out the exciting report here and look at how it overlaps with Age Friendly Colorado Springs’ goals and action items. Our whole state is beginning to address aging together!

Project Visibility!

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In February we were fortunate enough to have Ash Bell, from Boulder County visit and give us a local Project Visibility training. Project Visibility is an initiative that helps people who work with seniors understand how to create a more welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for LGBT elders. Senior industry professionals, Area Agency on Aging staff, and local senior advocates all attended the training. Thanks to everyone who participated in making our community more inclusive. If you have any questions about Project Visibility you can learn more here, or get in touch with us!

We are hiring!

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Join Our Team!

Innovations in Aging Collaborative (IIAC) is launching its first intergenerational Village in Colorado Springs’ historic Old North End Neighborhood (ONEN) and is seeking a part time Program Coordinator to design and implement the Village model.  The Old North End Neighborhood intergenerational village (ONEN iVillage) is intended to build and strengthen the neighborhood community in the Old North End and ensure that all residents can remain safe and happy in their own homes as they age in place. Although distinct in each implementation, an iVillage most importantly focuses on meeting the emerging needs of a neighborhood-specific senior population, recruiting volunteers to provide services and encouraging intergenerational interaction.

By organizing local resources and inspiring residents to support and serve one another, the iVillage model promotes intergenerational relationships and makes it easier for older residents to age in place responsibly while maintaining their autonomy and independence. The position is an opportunity to start a new program for older adults in Colorado Springs and to grow the program.

Download the position description by clicking on the link below:

IIAC-ONEN iVillage Program Coordinator Job Description

 

Age Friendly Colorado Springs Community Launch Celebration

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Thursday, September 8, 2016, 4:00 – 7:00 pm

Acacia Park, Downtown Colorado Springs

Join Innovations in Aging Collaborative, AARP Colorado and CO Springs Mayor as we kick off our new initiative, Age-Friendly Colorado Springs! This community celebration will demonstrate the feel and activities associated with making Colorado Springs a livable community for people of all ages! Performances, food, demonstrations, exhibitors and more! FREE and open to the public!

According to a recent study, the population of residents 65 and older in our region will grow by 160% by the year 2040. The factors which make a community “age friendly” are the same whether you are a senior or a millennial. Both groups want to live in a city that includes opportunities for social participation, beautiful outdoor spaces, excellent health services, respect and inclusion, as well as housing and transportation options that fit their lifestyle. This initiative is a win-win for all generations. And it’s something that we can all work together to achieve. 

If you love Colorado Springs then you’ll want to stay here as you age. 

As Olympic City USA, Colorado Springs has an opportunity to be a leader in the age-friendly movement and become a trailblazer in encouraging the success and accomplishment of residents of all ages.
Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1752438988307381/!

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