Bridging Neighbors is an innovative outreach project launched in 2023, in collaboration with our partners at Healthy Island Project. The program trains volunteers to work one-on-one with older adults, providing resource information, orientation, and advocacy, as well as a friendly visitor. The project improves understanding of, and access to, resources that support health and well-being and, by providing a volunteer visitor during the process, reduces social isolation and loneliness. 

From 2023 to 2025, our Bridging Neighbors program served over 100 individuals referred from health care providers, community members, and others. Our volunteers work in partnership with referred clients, connecting them to community-based resources such as healthy food, safe housing, digital
equity, transportation, and social opportunities – all of which are social drivers that impact health. At a time when local, community-based supports are becoming more difficult to access and healthcare systems are struggling, the personal support and meaningful resource connections provided by Bridging Neighbors have become a critical support for those who might otherwise fall through the
cracks of a fraying social safety net.

 

We accept referrals from all sources (community partner agencies, town officials, relatives, neighbors, self-referrals, etc.). This project is a partnership of Healthy Peninsula and Healthy Island Project, with additional collaboration from the health, social service, municipal, and community-based organizations that make up Age-Friendly Coastal Communities. Information on how to make a referral to Bridging Neighbors is HERE.