Richmond, VA

Four organizations and partnerships in the Richmond Region were each awarded a "JumpStart the Conversation" grant in August 2009. The winning projects exemplify the use of innovative ideas focused on creating livable communities for all ages and the theme of engaging community leaders for improving the livability of Richmond for all ages.

The Richmond grants followed the Aging in Place workshop held on June 17, 2009; titled Engaging Community Leaders in the Process: Creating a Livable Richmond Area for All Ages. 

Richmond Jumpstart Grants 

• Richmond Public Schools Educational Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Thomas H. Henderson Middle School and the Education Subcommittee of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce
  To develop mentoring and enrichment relationships between students from Henderson Middle School and senior citizens from the surrounding neighborhood. As part of an expanding relationship between the school and its neighborhood, Henderson also wants to open its doors to the senior community in expanded venues for direct student contact, as well as, making school facilities available to senior citizens for evening events. 
• ElderHomes Corporation in partnership with Richmond Community Development Alliance
  To plan a one day bus tour of area housing for the purpose of educating community leaders about residential needs and housing issues that affect seniors. The tour will feature stops at various housing alternatives and focus on senior friendly community development.
• Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging in partnership with United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg, AARP Virginia, the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, the Greater Richmond Chamber, A Community Partnership 
  To develop a 2030 Age Wave Plan for the Richmond Metropolitan Region that will focus on the areas of Economic Development, Built Environment and Long-Term Care. The project will involve a year long process to identify ways to enhance livable communities, promote strategies for aging in place advocacy, increase community awareness, agree on ways to increase access to resource and determine action steps/time table for the development of the comprehensive 2030 Plan. The outcome will be a Toolkit for creating livable communities for all ages.
• Family Lifeline
  To host a series of Aging Education Seminars hosted by Richmond’s ElderFriends program that will help to decrease social isolation of seniors enrolled in program and increase knowledge of and access to community-based resources. Participants will include ElderFriends volunteers, elder citizens, and community partners. Each seminar will focus on a topic relevant to aging—Healthy Aging In Place, the Changing Community Demographic, Livable Communities for All Ages, etc.

This report documents the Richmond Metro Area Aging in Place Workshop which focused on engaging community leaders and provides an in-depth understanding of the role that leadership plays in the lives of older adults in the greater Richmond region, as well as the innovative programs and initiatives that are happening across the country on this issue. Click here to download the report.

Quarter Century of Service Award

For their role in transforming Richmond into a vibrant city with arts, culture, housing, nature, and historic offerings.