
May 2020 – Present
UPLIFT Florida Network
The Purpose
Villages are community-based organizations characterized by neighbors helping neighbors—connecting for fun, freedom, caring, sharing, support, and confidence. Villages are communities of belonging and connectivity. They offer a wide array of services powered by volunteers and a network that helps adults live vibrant, purposeful lives. UPLIFT is a member of the Village to Village Network, a community of more than 300 villages nationwide.
Strengthening the Impact
FAQ's
Why does The Patterson Foundation support the UPLIFT Florida Network concept and the village movement in Florida?
What is a Village?
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. Most villages are grassroots, self-governing membership organizations that promote neighbor-to-neighbor support and community connectivity, enhance interdependence and healthy living, and are run by volunteers or paid staff.
Villages form key partnerships, provide resources and referrals, and are an important resource for strengthening their communities. 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, as illustrated below.
What is UPLIFT Florida Network?
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
What kind of organization is UPLIFT Florida Network?
Formerly known as Suncoast Villages, UPLIFT Florida Network, Inc. (UPLIFT) is a Florida nonprofit corporation. UPLIFT is currently awaiting approval from the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity.
The organizational model below illustrates how the Board of Directors, Village Governing Councils, the Circle of Representatives, and Affinity Teams will be organized. Each village in this model will have a Governing Council, members, and volunteers.
Why did Suncoast Villages change its name to UPLIFT Florida Network, Inc.?
UPLIFT Florida Network is uniquely positioned to fill this need. The first organization to align itself with UPLIFT is the Neighbors Network in Lee County. Several other villages and village startups in Florida have also expressed interest in participating with UPLIFT.
The purpose of UPLIFT Florida Network remains the same: to improve the well-being of our community members via a network of organizations supporting individuals thriving in community. The values of UPLIFT Florida Network are connection, collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and excellence.
Who is working on villages in Florida?
Is UPLIFT Florida Network like the “The Villages” community in Florida?
“The Villages” is a census-designated master-planned age-restricted community in Sumter County, Florida, that spreads into portions of Lake and Marion counties.
What is UPLIFT’s CallConnect program?
How is UPLIFT’s CallConnect being developed?
UPLIFT will initiate a soft launch in early 2022 to test the program beyond the initial pilot sites while generating and implementing lessons learned to apply before the official launch. Then, guided by the lessons learned during the CallConnect pilots and soft launch, UPLIFT will launch the CallConnect program in the later part of 2022.
How can I become an UPLIFT CallConnect connector?
Anyone can apply to become a CallConnect connector. To learn more or get involved, email CallConnect’s Program Administrator, Sue Berger, at SBerger@scgov.net.
How has the village movement been involved in WHO Age-Friendly Initiatives?
How can I request and receive a presentation about UPLIFT Florida Network and how to start a village in my area?
How can I learn more and get involved in UPLIFT Florida Network?
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