Age Friendly Rhode Island convening set for January 22
Join others working to create thriving age-friendly communities for a morning of learning. Date: Thursday, January 22 Time: Networking breakfast 8:30 – 9 a.m. Program 9 a.m. – noon. Location: Rhode Island College | Alger 110 Connect with colleagues and community members from across sectors for a dynamic morning focused on how we can better support…
Read MoreAge-Friendly Rhode Island Receives 2025 Meritorious Program Award
We’re honored to share that Age-Friendly Rhode Island has been recognized with the 2025 Meritorious Program Award by the Rhode Island Public Health Association (RIPHA). The award was presented at RIPHA’s 29th Annual Meeting on November 18th at Johnson & Wales University’s Harborside Campus in Cranston. AFRI Founder and thought leader Dr. Marianne Raimondo received…
Read MorePawtucket Becomes Rhode Island’s Newest Age-Friendly Community
We are honored to receive a Certificate of Special Recognition from Congressman Gabe Amo for our partnership in launching Age-Friendly Pawtucket. This recognition underscores the city’s commitment to building a community where residents of all ages can thrive. As Herb Weiss reported in RINewsToday, Pawtucket formally joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and…
Read MoreSociety’s Age Bias Is Stealing Your Independence
Newport-based Certified Senior Advisor Helen Hames addresses a critical issue facing older adults: how ageism undermines independence and limits potential in later life. Drawing from Jane Fonda’s concept of life’s “Third Act,” Hames argues that aging should be viewed as a time of growth and wisdom rather than decline. However, deeply ingrained ageist messages in…
Read MoreA Rich Legacy Preserved
Rhode Island College recently celebrated the archiving of Herb Weiss’s 45-year body of work, recognizing his contributions as an advocate and journalist focused on healthcare policy, aging services, and government programs affecting older adults. The Herbert P. Weiss Papers, now permanently housed at RIC’s Adams Library, include more than 1,100 pieces—editorials, newsletters, articles, and…
Read MoreNewport Housing Authority Receives National Award For “A Ride Can Change A Life”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 20, 2025 MEDIA CONTACT Jim Connell, Executive Director, Age-Friendly RI; jconnell@ric.edu, 401-456-2781 Newport, RI – The Newport Housing Authority has received national recognition for a groundbreaking transportation initiative, “A Ride Can Change a Life,” earning a prestigious Award of Merit from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment…
Read MoreDEM Program Expands Access to Fresh Food for Older Adults in Rhode Island
Access to healthy, affordable food is a cornerstone of healthy aging—but for many older adults in Rhode Island, it remains out of reach. According to the Rhode Island Food Policy Council, nearly 1 in 10 older adults in the state experience food insecurity, meaning they lack consistent access to the nutritious food they need to…
Read MoreJune 27 Reception To Celebrate Journalist Herbert P. Weiss and Opening of New Collection at RIC Library
The Herbert P. Weiss Papers chronicle Weiss’s reporting on healthcare policy changes, aging services, and government programs affecting seniors. The collection includes published articles, research materials, and documentation spanning four decades of journalism focused on public policy issues. The materials offer researchers and students access to sustained coverage of how healthcare and aging policies developed…
Read MoreRhode Island Coalition for Elder Justice Marks Key Milestones in New Annual Report
The Rhode Island Coalition for Elder Justice (RICEJ) marked several key milestones in its 2024 Annual Report. The organization formalized its nonprofit status as a 501(c)(3), launched the Rhode to Justice webinar series, aired a public service announcement during World Abuse Awareness Month, and distributed a reporting protocol on abuse and neglect to more than…
Read MoreWhy Older Workers Are in Demand
As younger workers increasingly pursue gig economy jobs, retailers struggle to find reliable part-time staff. In response, many are turning to an often-overlooked talent pool: older adults. In her recent Next Avenue article, Margie Zable Fisher spotlights this shift through the story of Susan Olson, a 75-year-old Home Depot employee who’s become a standout team…
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