Social Connection Communities of Practice Network Map

A network of communities and coalitions working to advance social connection in the United States

The Foundation for Social Connection

Introduction

The Social Connection Communities of Practice Network Map is composed of organizations and coalitions working to address social isolation, loneliness, and connection in the United States. This community of practice connects people around the country passionate about social connection research, practice, and policy, and brings together existing networks into one coordinated social connection umbrella. Through exchanging best practices, sharing ideas, and creating partnerships, the Social Connection Communities of Practices Network Map aims to strengthen the collective efforts of those dedicated to enhancing social connectivity.

The Nationwide Network of Champions, hosted by the  Administration for Community Living’s Commit to Connect initiative , further extends this effort by providing a national-level platform for connection, learning, and collaboration among professionals, volunteers, and innovators dedicated to combating isolation and loneliness. You can read more about the Commit to Connect initiative  here. 

This Social Connection Communities of Practice Network Map is designed to be a hub for individuals and organizations to discover and learn more about ongoing efforts in their geography, topic area, population of focus, or other affinity.

Network Map & Directory

Use this network map and directory to explore where and how communities are advancing social connection in their communities, and how you can get in touch with them!

Wisconsin Coalition for Social Connection

Statewide

Building Resilient Inclusive Communities (BRIC)

National

CoGen Solutions to Social Isolation and Loneliness: An Innovators' Community of Practice

National

Foundation for Social Connection - Action Network

National

RSA Social Capital Practitioners

International

Socially Connected Communities Network

National

Action Guide Community Cohort

National

Young Adult Working Group

National

Older Adults Working Group

National

Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community and End Loneliness

Statewide

The NorCal Coalition for Social Connection at UCSF

Regional

South Carolina's Operation to Confront Social Isolation & Loneliness (SOCIAL Aging)

Statewide

Texas Social Isolation and Loneliness Coalition (TX SILC)

Statewide

Connecticut Collaborative to End Loneliness

Statewide

Wisconsin Coalition for Social Connection

Statewide

Host Organization: Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging

The mission of the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging is to improve the health and well-being of all people as they age. We do this by disseminating evidence-based programs and practices and by engaging in collaborative public health strategies in Wisconsin and beyond.

The mission of the Wisconsin Coalition for Social Connection is to engage diverse partners in reimagining how we can combat the root causes and adverse consequences of social isolation and loneliness among older adults and people with disabilities in our state.

Accepting New Members: Yes

Contact: Suzanne Morley, Health Promotion Program Coordinator suzanne.morley@wihealthyaging.org

Building Resilient Inclusive Communities (BRIC)

National

Host Organization: National Association of Chronic Disease Directors

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD), a national non-profit organization, envisions a world where all people reach their full health potential, free from burdens of chronic disease. Their mission is to improve the health of the public by strengthening state and national leadership and expertise for chronic disease prevention and control. NACDD promotes social justice and wellbeing so that communities can build healthier futures.

The end of July 2024 marked the close of NACDD’s Building Resilient Inclusive Communities (BRIC) program, a three-year (2021-2023) program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In collaboration with CDC and other subject matter experts, NACDD worked with 20 states, who engaged more than 70 communities collectively, to address social connectedness, food and nutrition security, and safe physical activity access. The program was grounded in health equity and considered the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on specific populations. The BRIC program aimed to build state and local capacity to advance social connectedness as well as achieve key outcomes across each strategy area. Resources developed as a result of BRIC can be found on the program webpage.

Accepting New Members: No

Contact: Mara Galic, Senior Program Officer mgalic@chronicdisease.org

CoGen Solutions to Social Isolation and Loneliness: An Innovators' Community of Practice

National

Host Organization: CoGenerate

CoGenerate brings older and younger people together to solve problems, bridge divides, and co-create the future. Young people and older ones are the two groups most affected by social isolation and loneliness. CoGenerate believes the most important, and perhaps least known, solution to social isolation and loneliness is to bring these two groups together. Not as victims, but as agents of change. Not for commiseration, but for connection, learning, joy, and shared purpose beyond themselves. Through a new initiative called CoGen Solutions to Social Isolation and Loneliness, CoGenerate will make intergenerational solutions known — to elevate the promise and power of cogenerational collaboration to fight social isolation and loneliness. By identifying powerful cogeneration models to build social connectedness, this community of practice will cultivate an age-diverse community of changemakers who can serve as an ongoing engine for this work.

Accepting New Members: Yes

Contact: Janet Oh, Senior Director of Innovation joh@cogenerate.org

Foundation for Social Connection - Action Network

National

Host Organization: Foundation for Social Connection - Action Network

Since its founding in 2018, the Foundation for Social Connection - Action Network (AN) has been advocating for policy change that addresses the detrimental effects of social isolation and loneliness. AN brings together over 50 consumer groups, patient advocates, health plans, community-based organizations, behavioral health groups, and private sector innovators in the United States, all who share a mission to create a more socially connected nation.

Through disseminating research findings, leading public awareness, and advocating for legislative and regulatory interventions, the AN envisions a society where every individual will one day have the opportunities and support necessary to be socially engaged.

Accepting New Members: Yes

Contact: Meg Wallace, Partnerships Manager margaret@social-connection.org

RSA Social Capital Practitioners

International

Host Organization: Royal Society for the Arts

The RSA Social Capital Practitioners group are social capital practitioners working to create and support connection within communities across class, age, gender, race, as well as additional human experiences, to bolster health, well-being, and economic mobility.

Accepting New Members: Yes

Contact: Toni Shoola, Operations Lead toni.shoola@thersa.org

Socially Connected Communities Network

National

Host Organization: Healthy Places by Design Socially Connected Communities

Healthy Places by Design’s Socially Connected Communities Network is designed to inspire action that results in more socially connected and equitable communities by exploring ideas and strategies that reduce social isolation and strengthen social ties, especially for those who are most marginalized.

The Network has four components designed for a variety of learning styles and to address the continuum of community-led change: webinars, discussion groups, resource guides, and peer connection sessions. Discussion Groups and Peer Connection Sessions provide opportunities for people from across the country to learn with and from each other. Discussion Groups are hosted immediately following each bi-monthly webinar and enable attendees to dive deep with each other as they explore ways to apply the webinar concepts within their communities. Peer Connection Sessions are affinity-style virtual meetings where people who are working in similar ways or focused on similar sub-topics can connect for learning, exchange, and problem solving. Healthy Places by Design hosts and facilitates Peer Connection Sessions based on emerging interests.

Accepting New Members: Yes

Contact: Joanne Lee, Senior Project Director joannel@healthyplacesbydesign.org

Action Guide Community Cohort

National

Host Organization: The Foundation for Social Connection

The Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities helps local change makers and leaders develop community solutions for social connection. The guide features a six-step process to engage partners and community members in implementing strategies to foster social connection. The Action Guides’ goal is to support local leaders, community-based organizations, and residents in coming together across sectors to create a community plan of action to advance social connection. With this interactive toolkit, organizers are invited to bring together stakeholders within their communities to co-create effective and sustainable social connection action plans.

This program aims to facilitate cross-sector collaboration among local leaders, community-based groups, and citizens in developing a community action plan to promote social connectedness through using the Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities.

Current cohort participants include communities from 1) West Sacramento, California 2)Little Rock, Arkansas 3) Cowley County, Kansas 4) Isabella County, Michigan and 5) Brooklyn, New York.

Accepting New Members: No

Contact: Morgan Marler, Innovation and Implementation Program Manager morgan@social-connection.org

Young Adult Working Group

National

Host Organization: The Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness

Organized by the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness and chaired by Eventbrite, the Young Adult Working Group serves as a forum for organizations and individuals to discuss key considerations in addressing the young adult population (18-25). The group focuses on recognizing and assessing contributing factors, identifying potential public policy and government affairs solutions, and fostering innovations and interventions for collaboration. Including diverse perspectives and backgrounds is essential to strengthening the group’s diversity of thought and experiences. The group convenes virtually on a monthly basis.

Accepting New Members: Yes

Contact: Meg Wallace, Partnerships Manager margaret@social-connection.org

Older Adults Working Group

National

Host Organization: The Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness

The Older Adults Working Group, comprised of Coalition members dedicated to serving older adults (65+), convenes to address the challenges of loneliness and social isolation that often arise later in life. Chaired by Maureen Feldman of the Motion Picture & Television Fund, the group is currently focused on measuring the impact of programs and interventions designed to enhance connection among older adults. Experts in the field frequently present to the group, offering insights to inform their efforts. The group convenes virtually on a monthly basis.

Accepting New Members: Yes

Contact: Meg Wallace, Partnerships Manager margaret@social-connection.org

Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community and End Loneliness

Statewide

Host Organization: AARP Massachusetts

Created in 2019, the Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community and End Loneliness consists of 160+ members representing 90+ organizations, including state- and city-level governments, nonprofits, academic institutions, advocacy groups, thought leaders, and other partners. The mission of the Coalition is to ensure all residents of the Commonwealth feel connected to their community and enjoy a strong sense of social health. By mobilizing local organizations, thought leaders and other partners to join forces, the Coalition uses its collective resources and ingenuity for maximum impact.

Accepting New Members: Yes

Contact: Sandra Harris, Co-Leader sandra@sandrabharris.com

The NorCal Coalition for Social Connection at UCSF

Regional

Host Organization: University of California, San Francisco

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. The Coalition works 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.

Accepting New Members: Yes

Contact: Nandini Singh, Coalition Director nandini.singh@ucsf.edu

South Carolina's Operation to Confront Social Isolation & Loneliness (SOCIAL Aging)

Statewide

Host Organization: University of South Carolina

South Carolina’s Operation to Confront Social Isolation & Loneliness (SOCIAL Aging), is a state-wide coalition dedicated to reducing social isolation in older adults. This coalition is responsible for tracking the progress of the guiding framework from state-specific recommendations to reduce social isolation in older adults. These recommendations were developed by the Social Isolation in Older Adults Taskforce led by the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health and the South Carolina Department on Aging.

Accepting New Members: Yes

Contact: Megan Byers, Co-Director, Office for the Study of Aging University of South Carolina osa@sc.edu

Texas Social Isolation and Loneliness Coalition (TX SILC)

Statewide

Host Organization: United Way of Tarrant County

Established in 2020, the TX SILC is comprised of community organizations with missions, programs, and services dedicated to improving social connection among older adults in Texas. Goal 1: Increase Public Awareness regarding social isolation and loneliness and their effect on health and wellbeing. Goal 2: Enhance social services and supports to address social isolation and loneliness. Goal 3: Leverage innovative solutions that foster connection and social integration.

Accepting New Members: Yes

Contact: Kimberly Riley, United Way/Aging and Disability Resource Center Tarrant County Disability Services Navigator kimberly.riley@unitedwaytarrant.org

Connecticut Collaborative to End Loneliness

Statewide

Host Organization: For All Ages

Established in response to the growing public health crisis of loneliness, the Connecticut Collaborative to End Loneliness (CCEL) is a statewide, cross-sector alliance convened by For All Ages to provide leadership and coordination among organizations working to promote social health and connection in Connecticut.

CCEL’s goals are to raise public awareness of the mental, physical, and societal impacts of loneliness; engage healthcare professionals in developing screening protocols, referral pathways, and interventions; eliminate the stigma of loneliness and encourage social engagement; address young adult loneliness through education, dialogue, and intergenerational programs; and support older adults by collaborating with aging professionals and town leaders to create local solutions for social connection.

CCEL is action-oriented, focused on implementing replicable, community-based initiatives to drive meaningful, system-level change.

Accepting New Members: Yes; contact us via our website

Contact: Deb Bibbins deb.bibbins@forallages.org, Founder & CEO, For All Ages

  • Arts

    • Royal Society for Arts

  • Advocacy/Policy

    • Coalition to End Social Isolation

  • Community Focused

    • Action Guide Community Cohort
    • Building Resilient Inclusive Communities
    • Socially Connected Communities Network

  • Older Adults

    • NorCal Coalition for Social Connection
    • Older Adults Working Group
    • SOCIAL Aging
    • TX SILC
    • WI Coalition for Social Connection

  • Intergenerational

    • CT Collaborative to End Loneliness
    • CoGenerate
    • Massachusetts Coalition

  • Young Adults

    • Young Adult Working Group

Join the Network

This Social Connection Communities of Practice Network Map highlights the incredible work that networks and organizations are already doing to address social isolation and loneliness, and make it easier for individuals to join and support these efforts.

Members of this Social Connection Communities of Practice benefit from enhanced visibility, opportunities for partnerships and collaborations, best practices, tools, resources, and a national community of practitioners strengthening social connections within their communities.

Features

Visibility

Partnerships

Knowledge Sharing

Community Building

Enhance the visibility of organizations and individuals dedicated to promoting social connection, facilitating easier collaboration and resource-sharing.

Foster partnerships and collaborations among diverse stakeholders, leveraging collective expertise and resources to address social connection challenges more effectively.

Facilitate the sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to advancing social connection, promoting continuous learning and improvement within the field.

Create a supportive community of practice where leaders and organizations can connect, learn from each other, and collectively work towards strengthening social connections within their communities.

Who Can Join?

  • Your organization's primary purpose is to advance social connection and/or address social isolation and loneliness
  • Your organization is interested in peer and communal learning to continue building capacity and strengthen community relationships 
  • You work within a specific community, regional, or national (US) area  
  • You have collaborations and partnerships with other relevant stakeholders to build more socially connected communities

Tools and Resources

Check out these additional tools and resources:

  1.  Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities:  Developed for local change makers and leaders, this guide will help you create tailored social connection strategies for your community.
  2.  Social Connection Measurement Tools Inventory : A toolbox of 55+ measures related to social connection, social isolation, and loneliness including target demographics, methods of measurement, research on psychometric properties, and more.
  3.  The SOCIAL Framework Sector Reports:  The Systems Approach of Cross-sector Integration and Action across the Lifespan (SOCIAL) Framework offers evidence-based solutions within several different sectors to address the public health crisis of loneliness and isolation.
  4.  The Nationwide Network of Champions : The Nationwide Network of Champions, hosted by the Administration for Community Living’s  Commit to Connect initiative , is a free online platform designed to connect individuals and organizations working to combat isolation and loneliness. By providing access to a vast array of resources—including a searchable directory, discussion boards, and a resource library—the platform supports thriving social connections and fosters collaboration across various sectors and communities.

Learn More

The Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC) is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization founded in 2020. We envision a vibrant society where social connection is at the heart of how we live. As the leading US organization focused on addressing our crisis of disconnection, our mission is to advance social connection nation-wide rooted in evidence for our collective well-being.