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PRESS RELEASE
August 30, 2007 08:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time Tampa Bay Region Partnerships Promote Innovation in 'Aging in Place' Grants Empower Locals to Work Together to Take Action Now on Livability Issues HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eight partnerships in the Tampa Bay region were each awarded a “JumpStart the Conversation” grant, funded by MetLife Foundation, as part of the ongoing national conversation on aging and the ongoing work to make the Tampa Bay region a livable community for the young and old alike. The eight projects exemplify the use of new or unique partnerships to help the Tampa Bay region prepare for the aging of the baby boomers and the expected population explosion of older Americans. The grants were provided in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Forum -- the first of six regional workshops around the country focused on creating livable communities for all ages. The workshops are part of the national Aging in Place Initiative undertaken by Partners for Livable Communities (Partners) and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), with funding provided by MetLife Foundation. The Tampa Bay region workshop, titled Crossing the Line: Developing a Livable Tampa Bay Region for All Ages, was hosted by Hillsborough County and held earlier this summer at the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa. “The aging of the population will have a dramatic impact on America’s communities,” said Sibyl Jacobson, president of MetLife Foundation. “By taking action now, communities can avoid problems and improve the quality of life for all citizens as well as for older adults.” As a result of the workshop and grant opportunities, Hillsborough County officials believe that the region will have a renewed sense of urgency to approach community livability for all, as well as an energized group of organizations and individuals collaborating to face the challenges that accompany this time of change. “The diversity of organizations partnering to improve livability for all ages is a good indicator of community-wide support for this initiative for years to come,” said Robert McNulty, president of Partners for Livable Communities. “This first wave of eight partnerships in Tampa will stimulate innovative action at the local level and also serve as a national model for Aging in Place.” One project, submitted by the Polk Arts Alliance will forge a new partnership between arts organizations, libraries, historians and civic groups to explore the recording of oral histories of local older adults and at-risk youth. Mischelle Anderson, executive director of the Polk Arts Alliance, hopes this project will serve as a tool that any organization could utilize to understand the importance of replicating an oral history project that creates a valuable piece of local history for all generations. “Oral history projects involving seniors and youth in an exchange format facilitate mutual respect, understanding and ensure that communities will build intellectual spaces for all ages,” Anderson said. “This grant is an opportunity to develop an oral history project that the Polk community will learn to love, honor and respect the history each holds and leaves for the next generation.” The eight winning projects include partnerships between:
A comprehensive report on the workshop, Developing a Livable Tampa Bay Region for All Ages, is available for download at www.aginginplaceinitiative.org. Information on the winning projects will also be available on the site. The Aging in Place Initiative will continue to host workshops and award grants in five more communities throughout 2007 and 2008. The next workshop, scheduled in Phoenix for November, will focus on a state-wide discussion of workforce development. Partners for Livable Communities is a national, nonprofit organization working to renew communities for all ages. For more information on the other workshops planned in the national series, visit www.aginginplaceinitiative.org, or contact Irene Garnett at igarnett@livable.com. The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is a leading voice on aging issues for Area Agencies on Aging across the country. For additional information, visit www.n4a.org. The MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 by MetLife for the purpose of supporting education, health, civic and cultural organizations. For additional information, visit www.metlife.org
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