Twice per year, The Sarah Ralston Foundation awards grant funding to qualified nonprofits who serve vulnerable, underserved older adults in Philadelphia. (Visit our 2023 Impact Report.) Grants for General Operating Support are awarded each spring, and grants for Innovative Project Support are awarded each fall. The following directory provides critical information on our Innovative Project Support Grantee Partners.
Affordable Housing Centers of Pennsylvania
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
AHCOPA’s mission is to increase and preserve homeownership opportunities for low to moderate income households and communities of color in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. They provide resources and information on the home buying process and options to prevent foreclosure and rental eviction.
Website: ahcopa.org
Address: 5901 Market Street / Suite 104 /Philadelphia, PA 19139
Phone:(215) 648-1728
Affordable Housing Centers of Pennsylvania’s Will Power Program provides vital estate planning services to low-income Black and Latino seniors in Philadelphia, aiming to prevent tangled titles that splinter families and destabilize neighborhoods. By conducting Wills Clinics in collaboration with community partners, this project offers accessible education on wills, powers of attorney, and health directives, empowering older adults to secure their legacy, prevent financial exploitation, and ensure culturally appropriate care. The program, which has gained strong community demand, expects to educate 1,300 homeowners and help 350 complete their estate planning documents in the next year, fostering generational wealth and stability in underserved neighborhoods.
African Family Health Organization
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Provides culturally sensitive health, human and education services to African and Caribbean immigrants and refugees in greater Philadelphia.
Website: afaho.org
Address: 2420 S. 54th St. /2nd Floor/Philadelphia, PA 19143
Phone: (215) 546-1232
Volunteer Information: Contact Ms. Odochi Akwani – odochi@afaho.org
The “Wisdom Village” program aims to positively impact the lives of African and Caribbean Immigrant and Refugee elders (ACIR) in the greater Philadelphia area by combatting loneliness and offering financial and other assistance, while creating a collective support system. This program is designed to emulate the village that these elders were used to in their home countries that made aging a joyful process through strong social supports, mutual assistance and compassionate care. Wisdom Village will provide weekly programming, intergenerational activities, mental health support and other assistance to 20 ACIR elders in the greater Philadelphia area during the 12-month period of this grant project.
The African Family Health Organization (AFAHO) seeks to address the unique challenges faced by African and Caribbean Immigrant and Refugee (ACIR) elders in the greater Philadelphia area through its innovative Wisdom Village project. The project provides a culturally responsive, community-based support system aimed at improving quality of life, reducing isolation, and fostering intergenerational connections. Wisdom Village will host bi-weekly gatherings for socializing, learning, and physical activities, with workshops on health, digital literacy, and public benefits. Monthly field trips will broaden engagement with the community, and a health services component, in collaboration with AFAHO’s free health clinic, will offer necessary screenings and referrals. Additionally, elders will participate in intergenerational activities with youth in AFAHO’s programs, including preparing meals, discussing immigrant experiences, and creating a documentary to preserve cultural wisdom. Elders will also engage with new mothers to provide postpartum support, enhancing both elder engagement and maternal well-being. Food vouchers and rental assistance will be provided to those in need, addressing basic security issues. The project’s impact will be measured through regular surveys, attendance records, and qualitative feedback collected and analyzed in AFAHO’s APRICOT Case Management System. This initiative not only supports the physical and emotional needs of ACIR elders but also revitalizes the communal village concept central to African and Caribbean cultures, fostering resilience and dignity.
ARTZ Philadelphia
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Opens doors to people living with dementia by looking, listening, and engaging with the arts.
Website: artzphilly.org
Address: 1229 Chestnut Street / Suite 188 / Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (610) 721-1606
Volunteer: https://www.artzphilly.org/volunteer/
The African Family Health Organization (AFAHO) seeks to address the unique challenges faced by African and Caribbean Immigrant and Refugee (ACIR) elders in the greater Philadelphia area through its innovative Wisdom Village project. The project provides a culturally responsive, community-based support system aimed at improving quality of life, reducing isolation, and fostering intergenerational connections. Wisdom Village will host bi-weekly gatherings for socializing, learning, and physical activities, with workshops on health, digital literacy, and public benefits. Monthly field trips will broaden engagement with the community, and a health services component, in collaboration with AFAHO’s free health clinic, will offer necessary screenings and referrals. Additionally, elders will participate in intergenerational activities with youth in AFAHO’s programs, including preparing meals, discussing immigrant experiences, and creating a documentary to preserve cultural wisdom. Elders will also engage with new mothers to provide postpartum support, enhancing both elder engagement and maternal well-being. Food vouchers and rental assistance will be provided to those in need, addressing basic security issues. The project’s impact will be measured through regular surveys, attendance records, and qualitative feedback collected and analyzed in AFAHO’s APRICOT Case Management System. This initiative not only supports the physical and emotional needs of ACIR elders but also revitalizes the communal village concept central to African and Caribbean cultures, fostering resilience and dignity.
Caring for Friends
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Shares food and friendship with homebound, homeless and hungry people in greater Philadelphia.
Website: caringforfriends.org
Address: 12271 Townsend Road / Philadelphia, PA 19154-1288
Phone: (215) 464-2224
In 2022, Caring for Friends began offering family sized, casserole style meals to meet the growing number of families who were reaching out to them for food. Currently, they are operating their warehouse only two days per week due to lack of funding, which prevents them from operating within the hub and spoke model. The “Hub and Spoke” program focuses on installing freezers on–site at agency partners’ facilities to store frozen individual and family sized, casserole style meals. The caring community freezers would allow their pantry partners, food cupboards, community-based organizations, and senior centers increased access to their “heat and eat” meals, which are critical for senior and disabled clients who can no longer cook for themselves and cannot afford to purchase protein.
Caring for Friends is expanding its impact with Phase 2 of its innovative project, focusing on enhancing food access and support services for vulnerable populations, especially seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. Through collaborations with HUD senior housing, city council, and state initiatives, we aim to increase our reach and improve food distribution by adding more community freezers, produce distribution points, and congregate meal sites. With the anticipated expansion of our kitchen facilities, we can increase meal production, while a new software system will significantly improve tracking, communication, and volunteer coordination across our network of 250+ pantries. Phase 2 also includes establishing a new warehouse in West Philly to enhance accessibility for local residents and create a volunteer hub to support food distribution efforts.
Center in the Park
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Promotes positive aging and fosters community connections for older adults whose voices are critical instruments in shaping its activities and direction.
Website: www.centerinthepark.org
Address: 5818 Germantown Ave / Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone: (215) 848-7722
Center in the Park has been on the forefront of testing and implementing Evidence-Based Programs (EBPs) within senior center settings. CIP’s role in these projects was particularly important given that 91% of CIP’s members are African American older adults, a population that is often left out of research and program development. This venture, the soon-to-be released “Bell Age Guidance Service” (BGS), is a confidential digital service designed to measure 12 aspects of an individual’s health and wellbeing, along with their personal priorities, social determinants, and barriers to improvement. Upon completion, individuals receive evidence-based information and guidance to help them improve in the areas that matter most to them. The BGS service will be free to use and can be completed by older adults, family members, caregivers, and professionals.
Through a 2023 grant from the Sarah Ralston Foundation, Center in the Park (CIP) has been an early adopter of BetterAge, a wellness assessment tool designed specifically for older adults that provides personalized recommendations and a goal-setting template to support their health and well-being. CIP uses a peer ambassador model, with trained volunteers guiding members through the assessment to understand their results and connect with supportive resources. This tool has given CIP a clear picture of member needs while empowering participants with actionable wellness steps. As a member of BetterAge’s Age Well Innovation Network (AWIN), CIP provides ongoing feedback to refine the tool’s design, especially as it expands into paper format to reach older adults with limited digital literacy. In Year 2, CIP will integrate BetterAge into its standard intake process, launch peer-led support groups to help participants pursue their goals, and partner with the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging to bring BetterAge to five additional senior centers, greatly expanding its impact across Philadelphia’s older adult community.
Connectedly
2023 General Operating Support Grantee
2024 General Operating Support Grantee
Strengthens community support networks, reduces social isolation and improves the wellbeing of older adults.
Website: www.connectedly.org
Address: 4100 Main St./ Suite 403 / Philadelphia, PA 19127-1623
Phone: (215) 487-3000
Connectedly’s innovative project, “Connect4Health (C4H)” will aim to reduce social and health inequities for low-income, isolated older adults living in under-resourced neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Aging services providers and community organizations have programs designed to serve older people, but interventions to directly affect isolation and loneliness are limited. Connectedly’s telehealth intervention does just this – their model is unique in targeting older adults at high risk of isolation. Connectedly will create a pilot project to test the viability of collaborating directly with healthcare providers as a mechanism to help isolated older adults access and benefit from their telehealth group service. Their goal is for this model to be effective in enabling more older people in Philadelphia to build social connections and improve their health by forming sustained relationships and reducing social isolation. Connectedly will create an integrated care model in partnership with acute and chronic health care providers in Philadelphia. They plan to collaborate with the health system and major home health providers that serve older residents of Philadelphia (e.g. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Medicine Home Health) by providing them with their evidenced-based Connectedly telehealth group model for older adults identified as “high risk” for social isolation, loneliness, and lack of social connection.
Council for Relationships
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Provides expert therapy.
Website: councilforrelationships.org
Address: See website for locations
Phone: (215) 857-5968
By investing in mental health services, Council for Relationships (CFR) seeks to reduce healthcare costs, increase workforce productivity, and add to the overall
well-being of older Americans, thereby positively impacting society. The “Older Adult Program” will enhance their capacity to provide high-quality care to more seniors through: 1) Program development 2) Psychoeducational workshops for older adults in assisted living communities, veterans organizations, and other community organizations 3) Communication and outreach through in-person and virtual programming 4) Subsidies for direct therapy services, including psychiatric evaluation fees, as needed 5) Specialized continuing education and professional development for therapists, psychiatrists, and clinically supervised interns.
Depaul USA
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Website: depaulusa.org
Address: 5725 Sprague St /Philadelphia, PA / 19138
Phone: (215) 438-3991
Volunteer: Contact Brendan Sculley, Director of Philadelphia Programs Brendan.sculley@depaulusa.org
Depaul USA’s “Less Stress Through Breath” is a horticulture therapy and mindfulness pilot program designed to help older, chronically homeless adults reduce social isolation and improve well-being while residing in permanent supportive housing in Philadelphia. Guided by a Certified Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner, the program combines mindfulness, breathing exercises, plant care, and group activities to support emotional regulation and stress reduction. Participants, many with histories of mental health challenges and homelessness, will gain tools for self-care and community connection. Depaul USA aims to evaluate this pilot’s success in reducing isolation and improving physical and mental health, with the potential for program expansion nationally and internationally.
Episcopal Community Services
Episcopal Community Services’ mission is to challenge and reduce intergenerational poverty. We increase the ability of people to improve their lives and achieve economic independence. They call upon every person to participate in sustainable, positive change for our communities.
Website: escphilly.org
Address: 225 S. 3rd Street /Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 351-1400
Volunteer Information: Link: https://www.ecsphilly.org/support/volunteer/ Email: lavoniap@ecsphilly.org
The Episcopal Community Services (ECS) program, LiveWell: Chronic Disease Care & Lifestyle Program, aims to empower older adults in West Philadelphia by providing accessible, community-based resources that address the physical, social, and nutritional needs critical to managing chronic diseases. Leveraging our Open Choice Market, located at St. Barnabas Community Resource Center, the program integrates nutritional education, fitness classes, and wellness workshops to support participants in making sustainable lifestyle changes. This initiative builds on ECS’s holistic Bridge to Prosperity service model, with a focus on the Health & Well-Being pillar. The program will expand current offerings by adding structured activities like the weekly Breakfast Club (with SNAP-ed sessions), regular Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) workshops, seasonal Wellness Information Sessions addressing community-relevant health topics, and Movement Mondays that offer guided exercise. The program is tailored to a diverse population of low-income, predominantly Black, older adults, many of whom face social isolation and limited access to healthcare resources. ECS will assess the program’s impact using pre- and post-surveys, tracking participation data, and working with our Learning & Evaluation team to provide report cards on personal health progress. Through these activities, LiveWell will not only promote healthier living but also create a trusted community space where older adults can access essential health and social supports.
Face to Face
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Provides a safe environment and practical tools, which enable the people of the community to confront personal challenges, empower their lives and fulfill their unique potential.
Website: facetofacegermantown.org
Address: 123 E Price Street / Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone: (267)575-7103
Face to Face has provided a range of critical resources and programs in the Germantown community for forty years, focusing on issues in the areas of health, legal, social, and food. Two new areas of focus address mental health and housing needs. The goal of this innovative support project is to serve seniors more comprehensively at Face to Face by providing 1) A housing navigator 2) Mental health supports in both group and individual settings 3) Expanded medical/legal services. All of the services offered by Face to Face are provided at no cost to their guests.
Feast of Justice
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Provides food distribution, senior boxes, baby supplies and community programs to meet the needs of people in Northeast Philadelphia and beyond.
Website: feastofjustice.org
Address: 3101 Tyson Ave. / Philadelphia, PA 19149
Phone: (215) 268-3510
Feast of Justice is a unique food pantry serving 2700 total households each year. Increased demand led them to seek support for their established programs, which will be scaled up. This innovative project support will benefit Philadelphia seniors who are aging in their homes through: 1) Increased access to culturally relevant, nutritious, fresh and shelf-stable foods that specifically support a senior population (e.g. nutrition drinks). 2) Expansion of their home delivery program. 3) Partnership expansion to provide monthly senior-centered programming and socialization opportunities. 4) Intentional recruitment and support of seniors for volunteer programs on site. 5) Expansion of their case management program that provides ongoing assistance to seniors.
Generations on Line
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Reduces isolation and provides easy, fast, free digital skills for elders.
Website: generationsonline.org
Address: 1017 Clinton Street / Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215)922-3244
Generations On Line aims to bridge the digital divide for low-income older adults, many of whom face isolation and have limited digital skills, by introducing a tailored AI portal for connection and mental engagement. This innovative project will teach seniors to use a customized, elder-friendly chatbot to engage in conversations about memories and interests, providing companionship and reducing loneliness. Collaborating with community centers, including low-income LGBTQ housing and senior centers in Philadelphia, the program combines practical training with reminiscence therapy, ethical guidance, and ongoing feedback. Through this initiative, Generations On Line seeks to offer seniors a meaningful, age-appropriate introduction to AI that enhances their well-being.
Health Federation of Philadelphia
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Promotes health equity for marginalized communities by advancing access to high quality, integrated and comprehensive health and human services
Website: healthfederation.org
Address: 123 S Broad St. / Suite 650 / Philadelphia, PA 19109
Phone: (215) 567-8001
The Health Federation of Philly promotes health equity for marginalized communities by advancing access to high-quality, integrated, and comprehensive health and human services. The focus of the “Philadelphia Model” initiative is to create a scalable framework to address residential care needs for older adults diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) requiring 24/7 nursing and personal care (needs which have been systematically, unintentionally neglected for decades). The initiative leverages existing reimbursement strategies, entitlement programs, and best practices, including provider and staff training addressing historical trauma and systemic racism and ableism. The model is designed in compliance with all state and federal regulations. They will design and implement a high-quality evidence-based program for 48 vulnerable older adults with SMI that need long-term skilled nursing services, which will improve quality of life and health scores among participants, while increasing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of nursing facility staff as it pertains to care of this population.
Health Promotion Council
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Promote health and prevent and manage chronic disease, especially among vulnerable populations, through community-based education, outreach and advocacy.
Website: hpcpa.org
Address: Centre Square East / 1500 Market St / Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215) 731-6150
Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania (HPC) has a mission to prevent and manage chronic disease, especially among vulnerable populations through outreach, education, and advocacy. HPC focuses efforts on racial/ethnic minorities and vulnerable and low-income populations. “Project Significance Caregiving” (PSC) addresses an important public health issue. As Philadelphians age, their need for caregivers increases. Caregiving responsibilities can change in response to the recipient’s needs, often requiring more emotional and physical support and placing additional strain on the caregiver’s health. The primary goal of the PSC initiative is to ensure that caregivers have access to evidence-based programs and learn and implement self-care behaviors to address their own emotional, physical, and social needs. The target population for this proposal are adult caregivers who are providing care for underserved and vulnerable older adults living in the Philadelphia region.
Intercommunity Action, Inc
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Helps people live fulfilling lives by providing resources for aging, behavioral health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Website: intercommunityaction.org
Address: 6012 Ridge Ave / Philadelphia, PA 19128
Phone: (215) 4870914
Intercommunity Action, Inc addresses the mental health needs of older adults, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic and an increasingly aging population. They are one of the few mental health providers equipped to provide geriatric mental health care in Philadelphia and they will be allocating this Innovative Project Support funding toward expanding their roster of services. Their staff has specific training and experience for addressing comorbid mental health, cognitive, and medical issues among seniors. Services include outpatient therapy, mobile mental health therapy, and peer counseling. The Intercommunity Action approach to preventive care to boost older adult mental wellness includes mitigating isolation, improving access to mental health support/services and reducing mental health stigma.
Inglis
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Enable people with disabilities – and those who care for them – to achieve their goals and live life to the fullest.
Website: inglis.org
Address: 2600 Belmont Ave. / Philadelphia, PA 19131
Phone: (215) 878-5600
Volunteer: Contact Patricia.Veltri@inglis.org
Volunteer Information: Visit website
Inglis Community Services (ICS) operates programs that enable older homeowners and renters with disabilities to remain independent by staying in their homes. They conduct in-home assessments that result in modifications, including grab bars/railings, tub/shower transfer bench, accessible kitchen/bathroom features, access ramps, motorized chair lift, raised toilets, fall prevention/safety features, etc. ICS is expanding its existing Home Modifications for Independence (HMI) program through additional home modifications and their critically important Inglis Assistive Tech Solutions (IATS) services. This expansion will allow them to serve more older adults throughout Philadelphia County who are ageing in place by enhancing their independent function and improving their quality of life. These IATS integrated modifications will enable them to remain in their communities and avoid or postpone institutionalization. This program will serve renters and homeowners ages 50+ in Philadelphia County.
Jewish Family and Children's Services of Greater Philadelphia
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Strengthen families and individuals across generations and cultures to achieve stability, independence, and community
Website: jfcsphilly.org
Address:
Phone: (866)532-7669
Volunteer: www.jfcsphilly.volunteerhub.com Or contact Brianna Torres btorres@jfcsphilly.org.
Many older adults struggle with stigma associated with mental health concerns, often leading to symptoms of mental and physical health conditions. Many avoid or refuse treatment altogether. As a result, many older adults are ill-equipped to navigate life transitions, including loss of social networks or loved ones, declining health, addressing hoarding disorder, and feelings of loneliness and depression. COVID-19 only intensified social isolation and the need for mental health services. They will be allocating their innovative project funding toward their Mobile Mental Health (MMH) program. The MMH program bolsters the mental health safety net for low-income older adults through the provision of evidence-based, in-home mental health interventions and group-based supports. The program aims to reduce barriers to seeking mental health services for older adults caused by stigma and mobility/access concerns while providing them with in-person support to combat social isolation. They also link older Philadelphians to support groups and networks for further connectivity.
JKPPA
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Elevate the patient’s voice in their healthcare concerns, experiences and decision-making – an individual and collective voice that will be heard.
Website: jkppa.org
Address: 610 Harper Ave / Jenkintown, PA 19046
Phone: (215) 886-4357
Volunteer: Contact Heleneehrlich-cohen@jkppa.org Phone: 215-886-4357
JKPPA is a forward-looking organization that recognizes the ever-expanding role of technology in health care and daily living, with a mission to empower seniors by providing them with essential knowledge, skills, and tools to confidently navigate the digital landscape. Their “Tech for Seniors” initiative represents an unwavering commitment to improving the well-being and quality of life for members of our senior community by helping them adapt to the ever-expanding role that technology plays in daily life, especially in the area of health care. This initiative is designed to be accessible through several senior-serving organizations across the Philadelphia area. The meticulously crafted 13-week program will teach seniors the skills needed to access and effectively use digital health care resources, so they can manage their healthcare conveniently from their homes. It will also help them participate in digital social activities, which connects them with loved ones and cultivates a sense of community while promoting cognitive well-being.
Lutheran Social Mission Society
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Empower individuals, families and communities to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through an integrated program of social, educational and advocacy services.
Website: lutheransettlement.org
Address: 1340 Frankford Ave / Philadelphia, PA 19125
Phone: (215) 426-8610
Lutheran Social Mission Society serves Fishtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. In a rapidly changing community, they offer essential resources for residents hoping to age in place. Their innovative project support will pilot a neighborhood-specific heath coaching program for older adults, combining their health/wellness and food access/nutrition programs. It will also increase their capacity for member-led research and evaluation. EnhanceWellness (EW) is their evidence-based program that connects participants with a personal health coach to improve their physical, emotional, and social well-being. This new initiative will be a robust version of EW—complete with a full-time Health Coach and part-time Nutrition Coordinator focused on providing nutrition-specific coaching and linkage to food related needs. They will also implement a Research Advisory Board to evaluate EW and other programs, while building their infrastructure for member-engaged program evaluation. This will meet the needs of members, who have expressed a desire to better understand how to manage the dietary aspects of their chronic conditions, interfacing with healthcare providers, building strength, and avoiding falls.
Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Provide expert geriatric care management so that seniors can remain safe and healthy in their own homes for as long as possible.
Website: abramsonseniorcare.org
Address: 261 Old York Road Suite 630 / Jenkintown, PA 19056
Phone: (215) 371-3400
Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center has been committed to providing exceptional care to seniors for over 157 years and addressing inequities in senior healthcare. Their goal is to provide a cost-effective and replicable model for aging in place by advancing the role of geriatric care management as an essential and successful component of healthcare while impacting the greatest number of vulnerable seniors. This will improve health outcomes while addressing inequities for disadvantaged communities. This innovative project will involve utilizing cutting edge technology to expand the scope of their care management and Nurse Practitioner model by including an IT specialist on the team. This will infuse the model with the expertise of information technology and improve the delivery of person-centered health care for vulnerable seniors that are dealing with chronic illness/disease. The aim is to focus on healthcare access by increasing medical providers’ ability to treat patients in the home through virtual technology. By implementing innovative technology solutions on a micro level, it will influence health and quality of life while bridging the gap to lack of access to healthcare in community-based settings for vulnerable, low-income seniors.
Mazzoni Center
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Provide quality comprehensive health and wellness services in a LGBTQ-focused environment, while preserving the dignity and improving the quality of life of the individuals we serve.
Website: mazzonicenter.org
Address: 1248 Bainbridge St / Philadelphip, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 5630652
When Mazzoni Center was founded as Lavender Health Project over 40 years ago much of their focus was on the AIDS epidemic. Over four decades, HIV has become what is no longer a death sentence, but now a chronic condition. Mazzoni Center’s patients are living longer lives and as older adults, they are facing new health challenges and additional impediments in receiving the critical services necessary to detect and address those challenges. Those impediments include the same obstacles of time availability and mobility (both physical mobility and transportation) that face many seniors. It also includes other, more specific obstacles, such as discomfort with and distrust of the medical system, often due to past trauma, that are particularly prevalent in the LGBTQ+ (and especially transgender) community. The development of a “Remote Patient Monitoring” program at Mazzoni Center will create a game-changing innovative approach in addressing the needs of the LGBTQ+ seniors in their health center practice who are facing chronic conditions. It will also help them overcome many of the obstacles that have impeded care in the past.
Mazzoni Center’s Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program is designed to provide continuous, high-quality care for older LGBTQ patients with multiple chronic conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and hypertension. The program enables real-time data transmission from patients to Mazzoni’s providers, enhancing health oversight and allowing both proactive and efficient care adjustments without requiring in-person visits. This approach has been especially impactful for older patients, many of whom face healthcare access barriers and may struggle with trust issues due to historical experiences of discrimination in healthcare settings. Over the next two years, the Mazzoni Center aims to expand RPM access to uninsured or underinsured patients, particularly those on Medicaid plans that do not cover RPM. With funding from the Sarah Ralston Foundation, Mazzoni will support program costs, refine workflows between providers and Medsien (RPM technology partner), and improve the communication process to ensure all eligible patients can benefit from RPM. This initiative aims to reach at least 558 patients annually, including approximately 106 who otherwise could not afford these services.
Overbrook West Neighbors
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Overbook West Neighbors (OWN) is a community development corporation serving the Overbrook community of West Philadelphia. They are a partnership of concerned community stakeholders – neighbors, business leaders, faith leaders, everyone Overbrook – all working together to keep our Overbrook neighborhood safe, clean, and organized.
Website: overbrookwestneighbors.com
Overbrook West Neighbors’ West Philadelphia Handyperson Program (WPHP) is a targeted initiative supporting low-income senior homeowners by providing essential repairs that stabilize aging homes and enhance safety. Serving Overbrook and neighboring West Philadelphia communities, this program addresses pressing housing needs among vulnerable seniors, many of whom lack resources for even minor repairs. WPHP goes beyond basic repair work by educating homeowners about tax relief programs and estate planning, ensuring financial security and legacy planning. The program, which also partners with local repair and energy programs for larger repairs, plans to serve at least 25 homes over three years, helping seniors safely age in place while revitalizing the community. Through partnerships, inspections, and satisfaction surveys, WPHP offers sustainable support that preserves generational homes and uplifts neighborhood safety and stability.
Paraprofessional Training Institute
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Empowers direct care workers through exceptional training and advocacy to enhance long-term care quality and workforce standards in Pennsylvania.
Website: paraprofessionaltraininginstitute.org
Address: 1500 Walnut St / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania / 19102, Phone:
Paraprofessional Training Institute (PTI) aims to ensure access to quality home healthcare across Philadelphia by training both professional caregivers and community members. PTI’s three-part approach includes the Community Support Program to educate residents about navigating the home healthcare system, training 50 Direct Care Workers annually in foundational care skills, and offering free, as-needed training for informal caregivers. By empowering family and community caregivers with skills to assist loved ones, PTI addresses Philadelphia’s urgent demand for care workers and supports the health and safety of those aging at home.
Pathways to Housing PA
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Empowering people with disabilities to improve their housing stability, achieve better health, and reclaim their lives.
Website: pathwaystohousingpa.org
Address: 5201 Old York Road, 4th Floor /Philadelphia, PA 19141
Pathways to Housing PA aims to support 15 medically fragile older adults in retaining their homes and avoiding nursing facilities by implementing a suite of technology-based tools. Using Grandpads, medication dispensers, and smart home sensors, the project provides telehealth, medication tracking, and emergency monitoring for participants, enabling early interventions and consistent care. Pathways to Housing PA will evaluate the project’s impact on housing retention, medication adherence, and reduced ER visits. If successful, this pilot will serve as a model for expanded support to more aging participants within their Housing First program, fostering both independence and health stability in a population facing complex health challenges.
Penn Memory Center
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
A single, unified Penn Medicine source for those age 65 and older seeking evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, information, and research opportunities related to symptoms of progressive memory loss, and accompanying changes in thinking, communication and personality.
Website: pennmemorycenter.org
Address: 3400 Civic Center South Pavillion/ 2nd Floor/ Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 316-5151
Volunteer: Contact Megan.Kalafsky@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Penn Memory Center (PMC) serves people living with a dementia disorder, and their family support systems, by providing education, emotional support, customized care plans, and a vast portfolio of social and supportive programs, free of charge. This innovative project support will be used to highlight two programs from their Caring Difference suite that support older adults with dementia and their family caregivers: The Caring Collective and Time Together. Goal #1 is the delivery of Time Together services to the West Philadelphia community to support older adults experiencing dementia and their caregivers. They anticipate being able to serve 100 families in the community. Respite/companionship will be provided by students trained to serve as companions for older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia while simultaneously providing relief to their caregivers. Goal #2 is to recruit and train 100 college students to serve as volunteer companions and provide them with training, ongoing support and supervision. Goal #3 is to deliver The Caring Collective training to 50 PMC caregiver dyads (mentors and mentees). Seasoned or former caregivers receive training on providing peer-to-peer mentoring/coaching on best practices for providing support for their Caring Collective match.
Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Preserve, protect, and promote Chinatown as a viable ethnic, residential, and business community.
Website: chinatown-pcdc.org
Address: 301-305 North 9th Street / Philadelphia, PA19107
Phone: (215) 922-6156
Volunteer:
Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) The Crane’s N.E.S.T. (Network for Equitable Senior Technology Access at Crane) initiative by PCDC seeks to empower low-income Asian immigrant older adults by reducing digital inequities and fostering socialization through culturally and linguistically accessible education. Crane’s N.E.S.T. will offer bilingual digital literacy classes, personalized technology assistance, and access to new workstations in a welcoming community space. Serving at least 200 participants annually, this project will help older adults utilize essential apps and online resources, connect with family via social media, and access free or affordable digital services. The program will be assessed through attendance metrics, pre/post surveys, and qualitative impact stories to evaluate progress in digital literacy, autonomy, and social connectivity among participants.
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging Emergency Fund
2023 General Operating Support Grantee
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Provides support when all other resources have been exhausted for utilities, food, clothing, repairs, medication and other essential expenses.
Website: pcacares.org
Address: 642 N. Broad Street / Philadelphia, PA 19130-3424
Phone: (215) 765-9000
Volunteer Contact: volunteer@phillyhouse.org or https://www.phillyhouse.org/get-involved/volunteer
“Nutrition in the Community” is a pilot program that will enable eligible older Philadelphians to enjoy a free, nutritious meal at participating restaurants as a complement to PCA’s traditional Senior Center Congregate Meal Program. By partnering with restaurants in the community, PCA intends to increase the availability of nutritious foods and social engagement for individuals who may not otherwise participate in congregate sites or senior centers. Participants will be able to visit a community restaurant and receive a free nutritious meal from a pre-determined menu. With the success of this pilot program, PCA hopes to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to gain flexibility in congregating meal funding to sustain this innovative program. This pilot project will: (1) Increase access to healthy and nutritious meals for older adults at risk for food insecurity. (2) Address social isolation. (3) Test the feasibility of the restaurant dining model to advocate for flexibility in the use of the Older Americans Act Title III funds to support the innovative program. The pilot program will provide 600-750 meals a month over four months.
Philly House
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
More than just a safe space, warm bed and a hot meal, they empower everyone we serve through deep, intentional engagement with compassionate programs and trauma-informed care—activating their God-given potential for life transformation.
Website: phillyhouse.org
Address: 302 N. 13th Street /Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 922-6200
Philly House’s new Senior Level Housing program is designed to support older adult men experiencing homelessness, specifically those aged 60 and older, by providing up to a year of stable housing, case management, and a supportive community. This innovative program addresses the unique needs of older men transitioning from street homelessness to permanent senior housing by offering targeted case management and resources necessary to secure housing and maintain health. Through a structured 30-day initial shelter assessment, participants receive support to address root traumas, addiction, and employment challenges, followed by extended housing and assistance in accessing senior housing resources. Philly House aims to maintain a safe and structured community, with participants committing to responsibilities within the program and ongoing case management. This initiative, building on Philly House’s successful transitional housing practices, intends to achieve a 70% success rate, preparing men for a stable future and providing them with the time and support needed to secure permanent senior housing placements.
Saint Joseph's University
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
They prepare students for personal excellence, professional success and engaged citizenship.
Website: sju.edu
Address: 5600 City Ave / Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (610) 660-1000
Volunteer: contact Steven Silver, Assistant Director, Institute of Clinical Bioethics; or Shaun Varrecchia, DPT, Clinical Associate Professor Department of Physical Therapy;
Saint Joseph’s University’s Innovative Exercise Program aims to improve health outcomes and quality of life for underserved elderly adults in Philadelphia while providing essential geriatric training for future healthcare professionals. This program, based at Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church in West Philadelphia and Mother of Mercy House in Kensington, combines structured exercise sessions to enhance strength, balance, and mobility with community-building activities that reduce isolation. By engaging both seniors and physical therapy students, the program addresses immediate health needs and fosters empathy and skill development for students. SJU’s initiative also builds on established community trust, offering a holistic, preventive approach to health and well-being.
SEAMAAC
2024 Innovative Project Grantee
SEAMAAC’s mission is to support and serve immigrants and refugees and other politically, socially and economically marginalized communities as they seek to advance the condition of their lives in the United States.
Website: seamaac.org
Address: 1711 S Broad St. / Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (215) 467-0690
Volunteer Information: https://seamaac.org/volunteer-6964/
Volunteer coordinator email address: volunteers@seamaac.org
SEAMAAC’s Roots of Happiness: Elders Health and Wellness Program is launching a new digital literacy and storytelling initiative to empower Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) elders in South Philadelphia. Targeting low-income, limited-English-proficient seniors, this program addresses social isolation by teaching digital photography and videography skills, helping participants capture their unique experiences. Elders will attend weekly classes, go on walking tours, and showcase their work in a closing exhibition. By creating a supportive environment, SEAMAAC fosters both digital confidence and personal resilience, honoring cultural roots while bridging intergenerational and technological gaps within immigrant communities.
SeniorLAW Center
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Seeks justice for older people by using the power of the law, educating the community and advocating on local, state and national levels.
Website: seniorlawcenter.org
Address: 1650 Arch St / Ste 1820 / Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 988-1244
Volunteer Information (Or conatct Joanna Jarzebowska, Esq., at jjarzebowska@seniorlawcenter.org.)
SeniorLAW Center: Their innovative project will expand their Housing/Homeownership Rights services project to help older homeowners in specific neighborhoods of Philadelphia retain their family’s home, prevent homelessness and enable them to age in place. Specifically, their innovative project will focus on remedying and preventing ‘tangled titles.’ Tangled titles refer to the situation when a person lives in the home that they own (or have a right to own) but their name is not on the deed/title. The initiative will focus on the areas of Philadelphia where 3.5% to 6.5% of all houses have tangled titles (Upper North and North Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, and Southwest Philadelphia). It will involve legal rights education, intake clinics, and personal planning clinics. These neighborhoods are also among the poorest neighborhoods which places them at greater risk of having titles become tangled. Requests for tangled title legal assistance have recently skyrocketed.
SeniorLAW Center’s Homeownership Rights Project (HRP) focuses on preserving homeownership and building generational wealth for low-income older adults, especially in Philadelphia’s Black and brown communities most impacted by tangled titles. This initiative provides direct legal assistance, education, and personal planning document (PPD) clinics to protect homeowners from property-related risks like mortgage foreclosure, deed fraud, and title issues. With support from the Sarah Ralston Foundation, HRP will expand its community-based interventions, launching an Older Homeowners Justice Advisory Council to guide program impact and deepen engagement. Through targeted outreach, SeniorLAW Center empowers older adults to secure their homes and age in place with dignity.
The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation
2023 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Provides health and human services organization of the Asian American community.
Website: www.jaisohn.org
Address: 6705 Old York Road / Philadelphia, PA 19046
Phone: (215) 549-5400
Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation (PJMF) helps older low-income Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) seniors navigate the challenges of aging, which include isolation, structural, language and cultural barriers which confine many first-generation immigrants to low-income senior apartments, increasing their vulnerability to depression and mental health issues. The goal of the proposed innovative project is to increase access to life altering therapeutic programs that help AAPI seniors live a life with dignity and independence by addressing social isolation issues and improving their mental and physical resiliency through therapeutic group activities. Social isolation is a serious issue amongst first-generation immigrants given their low English proficiency exacerbated by cultural and structural barriers. Various wellness activities will be offered to AAPI seniors through PJMF’s LIFE Academy program, including music and creative therapy, mindfulness, fall prevention, brain health, among many others.
VisionLink
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Philadelphia’s largest service provider for people experiencing vision loss. It offers education, support services, and community connections to help people achieve greater independence and well-being.
Website: visionlinkphl.org
Address: PO box 1758 Bensalem, PA 19020
Phone:(215) 627-0600
VisionLink’s Collaborative Education Program aims to improve support for seniors with vision loss by training staff at senior centers and long-term care facilities across Philadelphia. Building on the success of a pilot program at Mercy Life West Senior Center, this project will refine and expand VisionLink’s training modules, enabling staff to provide informed and compassionate care for visually impaired seniors. With support from the Sarah Ralston Foundation, VisionLink will develop sequential learning modules tailored to each facility’s needs, enhance evaluative tools to ensure program relevance, and create a sustainable funding model. Ultimately, the project seeks to broaden the network of trained caregivers in the region, equipping senior center staff with the skills to improve day-to-day life for seniors, empowering them to navigate their environments confidently and safely. By establishing community-centered support, VisionLink envisions a future where more seniors in Philadelphia can experience a higher quality of life despite vision challenges.
Widener University
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
Widener’s mission is to empower their community of learners to discover and create better futures.
Website: widener.edu
Address: 1 University Place / Chester, PA
Phone: 1-888-WIDENER
Widener University, in collaboration with CSWE, Grand Central, and PCA, is launching a groundbreaking initiative to support kinship caregivers and address the critical shortage of geriatric social workers. This project will provide specialized, culturally sensitive support for kinship caregivers—primarily African American grandmothers raising grandchildren—through activities designed to reduce stress, enhance social connections, and improve technology skills. At the same time, the program aims to prepare a new generation of geriatric social workers by offering students hands-on training in nontraditional therapeutic approaches tailored to the unique needs of kinship caregivers. This dual focus not only empowers caregivers but also establishes a dedicated pipeline of trained professionals equipped to serve Philadelphia’s aging population. By combining innovative therapeutic techniques with experiential learning and community engagement, Widener’s project aims to create a sustainable model for addressing the complex needs of kinship caregivers while building a skilled, specialized workforce for the future.
William Way LGBT Community Center
2024 Innovative Project Support Grantee
William Way Community Center seeks to engage and support the diverse LGBTQIA+ communities in the greater Philadelphia area through arts & culture, empowerment, and community connections.
Website: waygay.org
Address: 1315 Spruce St / Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 732-2220
Volunteer Information: waygay.org/volunteer
The William Way Community Center seeks to enhance its offerings for LGBTQ+ seniors through an expanded range of support programs for health, social connection, and self-management. Building on the Elder Initiative, these programs include the Positive Self-Management Program (PSMP) and the monthly Thrivers Program. The PSMP course will equip LGBTQ+ seniors, especially those living with HIV, with essential skills for chronic health management and build capacity by certifying community members as facilitators. Thrivers, a monthly support program, provides a space for seniors to connect, share experiences, and improve emotional wellness while enjoying a congregate meal. Additionally, the HIV & Aging Community Forums will offer quarterly sessions to provide accessible information on topics such as Medicare, housing options, and navigating aging services. Over three years, William Way aims to reduce social isolation, improve self-management and healthcare engagement, and enhance the quality of life for 135 older LGBTQ+ adults living with HIV. The impact will be assessed through surveys, participant feedback, and evaluation forms, with objectives including improved healthcare adherence, reduced isolation, and expanded access to senior services.
