Front Porch: Powered by Connection

Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being.

I could not be happier to explore this year’s theme for Older Americans Month. As you may know, Connect is a stated value here at Front Porch – the first of our core values that inform how we operate as an organization. 

Connection is essential in building and nourishing community of all sorts. Connection is a life force underneath all of our great relationships. It underpins the culture we aspire to have at Front Porch, the leadership we feel compelled to express, the consistent improvement in the performance and quality that we deliver, and the fulfillment and growth in our mission that we seek together.

Connection to one another and the wonders in the world around us can reveal all of those things that are possible in each one of our lives. It’s through our connections that a growing population of older Americans can discover “what might be” and act against a society that too often underestimates, and even undervalues, the life force that persists in every person’s life no matter their age.

At Front Porch, you can feel the power of connection in our community services programs, in particular through the Connections programs – Well Connected and Well Connected Español and Social Call – which are focused on reducing social isolation, and recognizing that no matter our age or circumstance we all long for connection.

You can see the power of connection through how we care for one another, a culture of philanthropy nourished by the Front Porch Communities Foundation, building the Circle of Friends resident assistance fund which provides support for residents who outlive their resources, or the employee-supported and -supporting HEART fund – Helping Employees At Risk Today – designed to assist Front Porch employees who experience an unanticipated financial hardship due to an emergency.

We are powered by connection by staying in touch with our broader communities through our outreach, making a lasting impact on the world around us. Whether it’s through residents making a difference in the community where they live or in the community around them, or our programs and Centers of Excellence, such as the Center for Innovation and Wellbeing that not only tests and models ways that technology can keep people connected, but also works with those who are the future of our industry through providing internships and educational opportunities. Through them, Front Porch stays connected and keeps a focus on the wider world outside our walls.

And we’re powered by connections through the incredible resources and insights that our residents and employees bring to our organization. Along with the daily contributions of each of our employees, our 5-STAR College graduates provide us with ongoing training as they move forward in their development and careers. And our residents provide untold wisdom gained from years of experience in their personal and professional lives, providing guidance and leadership in their individual communities as well as to our organization as resident representatives, committee members and board members.

I’m grateful to be part of a culture that is powered by connection, powered by the value of helping others in good times and bad, and empowers others to take part in those things that bring us together and make us stronger, in community, taking action to impact this world and make it better.

Happy Older Americans Month!

Sean Kelly