Engaging the wisdom of older adults
Over the past several months, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and its partners have been successful in creating a community dialogue around the topic of civic engagement and older adults. It has been determined that this conversation can happen on a larger scale, involving more individuals. It has been a welcome surprise to witness the willingness in which the community is participating.
As a result of its efforts in its own community and through conversations with the Community Experience Partnership (CEP) Learning Network, the foundation has come to understand that simple ideas are translating into positive action, regardless of community size or location. The strength of the Learning Network is not dependent on a few community foundations but rather the connections between them. These discussions help the foundation to be more effective, well informed leaders in the community. Also, since community transformation work is often a delicate matter to lead, having peers to process with and learn from has made the entire process more effective and rewarding.
As work moves forward, the foundation is continuing to leverage assets established in Phase One. This includes tapping existing stakeholders that form the core of an advisory committee that is tasked with helping drive the work. In concert with the committee and other partners, the foundation has identified a two-level approach designed to advance work efforts:
- Identifying the issue around which work may be conducted
- Shifting community perceptions regarding older adults
Issue identification
Initial steps involve using older adults to fully explore three existing issues (access to healthcare; education; and community and economic development) as identified during the assessment phase. Steps include providing training and orientation for the advisory committee regarding community transformation models. The work also attempts to narrow the field of issues to one, and engages in a planning process that results in the design and dissemination of a community report that reflects the research and discussion of the advisory group. Upon selecting the specific issue, scope is clearly defined and a plan is created that is distributed to community stakeholders for review and feedback.
Shifting perceptions
After identification of a specific issue, it is vital to evolve the community’s perception of older adults (and the positive, productive roles they can play) in a manner that provides support for execution of the work. To that end, an assessment report is being distributed to at least 1,000 community members. In addition, a focused social marketing plan is helping guide efforts to inform and call-to-action community members around targeted issues. With assistance from Temple University, a local “Community for All Ages” project is being initiated in Kalamazoo to examine service delivery systems and to invigorate the community. Evaluation measurements will capture learnings and perceptions of the work as it unfolds.
Potential barriers
The foundation anticipates a tendency for the community to discuss how to engage older adults, as opposed to exploring ways older adults can contribute. With this in mind, the foundation will often need to remind partners that the intent of the work is not to fix process and infrastructure but rather remain focused on a community issue at a much deeper level. A second potential barrier is zeroing in on a singular issue. The foundation recognizes the challenges associated with this goal and acknowledges that if there is momentum to support additional efforts, it is prepared to do so, since respecting the will of the community is paramount.
