The Patterson Foundation strengthens the efforts of people, organizations, and communities by focusing on issues ​​that address common aspirations — such as healthy aging. It recognized the opportunity to support local coalitions working toward this aspiration by connecting them with established networks driving further innovations in aging nationwide and beyond. The Patterson Foundation has strengthened the process of these coalitions and adapted resources from these networks for regional use. Additionally, The Patterson Foundation has provided platforms for these coalitions to share their home-grown learnings with communities far and wide.

The Patterson Foundation is committed to strengthening the collaboration and impact of these regional efforts. This includes providing facilitation, knowledge, and strategic and tactical expertise from an initiative consultant to help the vision of these larger movements become a reality in our region.

The Communities for All Ages initiative strengthens opportunities that cross age, race, ethnicity, and class to foster a sense of belonging and mutual respect among all people.

Age-Friendly Sarasota is a countywide effort in Florida to promote active, engaged, and healthy living for people of all ages. As a member of the World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, Age-Friendly Sarasota connects Sarasota County with resources and knowledge from more than 1,400 age-friendly cities and communities worldwide. Additionally, membership in the global network provides Age-Friendly Sarasota with the opportunity to share innovations and expertise developed and honed locally on a regional, national, and global scale.

Since 2015, Age-Friendly Sarasota has been a partnership between local, state, national, and international entities, contributing expertise and resources to evolve age-friendly concepts and community features in Sarasota County and beyond. The Patterson Foundation provided consulting and communications support to Age-Friendly Sarasota from its inception until sunsetting its engagement in January 2023.

Currently, Age-Friendly Sarasota is being advanced locally by the Sarasota County Government. In addition to Sarasota County Government’s leadership, many organizations are collaboratively engaged to create pathways to achieve a better future for all residents. In October 2021, Sarasota County became the first in the nation to achieve designation as an Age-Friendly Community, Age-Friendly Health Care System (Sarasota Memorial), and Age-Friendly Public Health System.

Please visit agefriendlysarasota.org for more information about the variety of ways to participate.

The UPLIFT Florida Network is a hub organization supporting community-based villages and other like-minded organizations. Learning from the successes and challenges of existing villages, the UPLIFT Florida Network recognizes that the village of the future may be described as:

• Community-oriented organizations strengthening the health and well-being of its members
• Focused on building strong strategic partnerships
• Virtually connected internally and to a curated array of resources
• Innovative, financially sustainable with diverse funding sources
• Oriented toward social engagement, health, and wellness services
• Supportive of multigenerational connections and interdependence
• Fulfilling people’s desire for belonging, self-determination, and community connectedness
• Exemplify neighbors helping neighbors

A village is a community-based network of members and aligned organizations engaged to support aging interdependently and maintain the well-being of its members. Villages are communities of belonging powered by volunteers. The essence of villages is neighbor-to-neighbor support and community connectivity that enhances our capacity to thrive in community.

Villages form key partnerships, provide resources and referrals, and strengthen interdependence. Members engage in projects to improve their communities through volunteering, advocating, and creating solutions to community issues.

In the U.S., approximately 300 local villages already exist doing the work to connect members to a wide range of practical support services and promote active living with recreational, social, educational, and cultural programs.

UPLIFT Florida Network is a network of people, organizations, and communities in Florida. A village is a community-based organization not dependent upon physical structures. “The Villages” is a census-designated master-planned age-restricted community in Sumter County, Florida, that spreads into portions of Lake and Marion counties.

For more information or to get involved, visit the UPLIFT Florida Network website, sign up for the newsletter, or email info@upliftflorida.org.

For more information, contact initiative manager Deborah Gauvreau: dgauvreau@thepattersonfoundation.org.