Last Friday, Southern Maine Agency on Aging had the joy of hosting our annual Charting the Future event! This year’s theme – Shining a Light on Social Connection – was inspired by our North Star goal: ensuring that by 2035, every older adult in Maine has a meaningful source of social connection.

The day was filled with connection, learning, and inspiration. Attendees enjoyed interactive activities and an impactful panel discussion featuring:

Marpheen Chann, Khmer Maine
Heidi Lester and Izzy Ostrowski, EqualityMaine
Dr. John Newby, Author, caregiver, and physician
Dr. Renee Pepin, Dartmouth College

Our panelists shed light on the barriers to connection, the role of community care, and the powerful ways caregiving and intentional connection can transform lives.

We were also proud to honor three incredible leaders for their dedication to older adults:

Volunteer of the Year:  Herb Janick
Champion for Older Adults:  Representative Kristen Cloutier
Community Partner of the Year:  Khmer Maine

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors including Martin’s Point, MaineHealth and Maine Trust for Local News.

Stay tuned as we spotlight each of our awardees and celebrate their amazing contributions!