Across nearly every Innovative Project Support (IPS) project, social isolation and mental health surfaced as central concerns. Whether addressed directly or indirectly, grantees consistently demonstrated that connection is not supplemental—it is foundational to older adults’ health and stability.
Intercommunity Action expanded its peer-led mental wellness groups, growing participation from under 200 to nearly 300 older adults, with participants reporting increased confidence and stronger social ties. Penn Memory Center’s mentorship and respite programs fostered meaningful relationships between families and students that continued even after formal programming ended. Depaul USA’s horticulture and mindfulness initiatives improved mood, relationships, and daily functioning among chronically homeless older adults.
“Again and again, we saw how powerful human connection can be,” says Heather Finnegan, Executive Director of The Sarah Ralston Foundation. “These projects remind us that social connection isn’t an extra—it’s essential to wellbeing, resilience, and long-term stability.”
Together, these efforts reinforce a critical lesson: addressing loneliness and emotional health must be integrated into service models, not treated as secondary concerns. When older adults are supported in building relationships and community, the impact extends far beyond individual programs—strengthening overall quality of life.