Northern California Coalition for Social Connection

About Us

The Northern California Coalition for Social Connection at UCSF facilitates collaboration among community organizations to address the impacts of social isolation and loneliness among older adults. The Coalition represents a variety of influential groups, including local governments, non-profits, grassroots community initiatives, for-profit businesses, medical professionals, and academics. We work to increase the quality of older adults’ livelihoods through general meetings, community-focused research and evaluation projects, and resource sharing. Situated in Northern California, a hub for academic and social innovation, the Coalition serves as a model for future collaborative work to increase social connection among older adults. 

Our Mission

To bring together people, communities, health systems, government agencies, and academic institutions across Northern California to address social isolation and loneliness to promote connection among older adults through shared purpose, research, and advocacy.

Our Vision

We envision a Northern California, and beyond, where older adults lead healthy, engaged and connected lives enriched by the people and activities within their surrounding communities.Strategic Priorities

  1. Evidence-Based Social Connection Research and Programming
  2. Collaboration and Engagement Across Sectors
  3. Social Connection Awareness and Advocacy

Values

  • Inclusivity: We foster connection by uniting institutional and community-based partners serving diverse older adult populations across Northern California. While our coalition comprises program leaders, we actively seek to represent older adults directly through community outreach and program evaluations.
  • Collaboration: The Coalition promotes community building and collaboration through regular meetings, networking opportunities, shared goals and objectives, and mentorship.
  • Integrity: The Coalition operates as a non-hierarchical and collaborative space for all members. All members and leadership practice transparent communication and adhere to community-set guidelines.
  • Equity: As a Coalition, we strive to challenge dominant systems and structures through our words, initiatives, and community-building. 

Founding Partners

Front Porch

Front Porch promotes and cultivates healthy communities for positive aging through an innovative continuum that actively supports the whole person.  Their connection programs, Well Connected, Well Connected Español, and Social Call creatively connect older adults across the country to group activities and to other individuals through accessible phone and video conferencing.  Creative Spark supports professionals working in social engagement programs with older adults.

Curry Senior Center

Curry Senior Center has been dedicated to helping homeless and low-income seniors and older adults living in San Francisco Civic Center neighborhoods for over 49 years. Many of Curry's programs target the reduction of social isolation, including the technology-based Senior Vitality and Curry Tech Support, the peer-based Addressing the Needs of Socially Isolated Older Adults, and the in-home Wellness Nursing program. 

The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation

The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation, originally established in 1966, is a private, family foundation that provides financial support to qualified not-for-profit organizations working to improve the communities of Northern California and Hawaii. The Foundation targets funding opportunities in the fields of conservation, education and healthcare.

SIR

SIR has enhanced the lives of senior men members and their spouse/partners through fun activities, luncheons and events for over 60 years. The 100+ Branches cover most of Northern California from Bakersfield to the Oregon border and San Francisco Bay to Nevada.