The Connecticut Age Well Collaborative is a statewide, cross-sector initiative that fosters Connecticut communities where we all thrive as we grow up and grow older. Delegated by the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity, we’re leading the state's livable communities initiative (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 17b-420a).
The Collaborative co-creates, educates, innovates, celebrates and evaluates best practices, projects and policies to shape inclusive, vibrant, intergenerational places where we all can thrive across the lifespan. Such places include physical infrastructure, services, and opportunities for connection for all residents. They are intentional in planning with an aging, dementia and disability lens.
In 2024, the CT State Library Division of Library Development and the CT Age Well Collaborative partnered to survey the CT library community to identify learning needs for creating more inclusive libraries for every age and ability. We listened, and we hope you’ll join us for a training series customized for CT libraries!
In this series, we’ll explore how libraries and community residents can build bridges to co-create more vibrant, accessible communities. We’ll journey inward, examining our own minds and hearts as we work together to dismantle ageism, and we’ll uplift amazing, inclusive places, right here in Connecticut. Join us for the same general content to be offered in the Collaborative’s Age Well Academy series but tailored just for libraries!
Please find more information and registration links below:
Wednesday, January 14 | 1:00-2:00 pm
Register for Connection, Capacity, Resilience and Vibrancy: What's Age Got to Do With It?
When you hear words like “connected,” “capable,” “resilient,” and “vibrant” what do you think of? Who do you imagine? Or maybe, who don’t you imagine? Every Age, Every Ability is CT Age Well's statewide campaign to disrupt ageism and ableism, informed by the lived experience of Connecticut residents. The campaign catalyzes conversation and inspired locally-tailored, community-driven efforts, like in the Towns of West Hartford and Newtown.
Get inspired and learn how your library and community can spark its own conversations with family, friends and colleagues—or create your very own local campaign!
Wednesday, March 11 | 1:00-2:00 pm
Register for Growing Up and Growing Older: Confronting Ageism at Any Age
Aging is a completely normal part of living, but because of ageism, some people believe getting older is a problem or something to fear. Negative assumptions about older adults are largely derived from age-based stereotypes, centered on illness, irrelevance and incompetence. Ageism has become culturally normalized and largely invisible.
To kickstart conversations about ageism across the lifespan, we wrote "A Kids Book About Ageism." Learn how your library can use this book and its associated conversation guide to empower community members (and yourselves!) to tell a more complete story of aging and work toward dismantling implicit bias around aging.
Wednesday, May 13 | 1:00-2:00 pm
Register for Cultivating Inclusivity: Who is in Your "We"?
Connecticut is filled with hidden community gems—from the best accessible attractions, to the most welcoming business, to the most inspiring programs and initiatives. Each year, the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative invites nominations from which we create an annual list of local pick of place and experiences.
What makes those places special, welcoming and inclusive? How can your library emulate those qualities—and maybe make the next list? And how you can catalyze visitors uplifting everything fabulous already happening in your community? Come learn more!
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