Dear Friends,

Over the past several months, The Washington Home has undertaken an important effort to strengthen how we support organizations serving older adults across Washington, D.C.

Beginning in October, we transitioned from our traditional individual grant application process to a collaborative model, bringing nonprofit partners together to design solutions that better meet the needs of older adults across the District.

Through this process, we worked closely with partners across all eight wards and four systemic initiatives to develop collaborative proposals that will establish a continuum of care and strengthen the systems supporting older adults.

Key priorities include increasing the number of trained direct care workers to meet the growing demands of an aging population; improving access to healthy food for older adults experiencing food insecurity; and expanding access to essential healthcare services, including vision care, dental services, behavioral health support, and chronic disease management.

The initiatives will also engage older adults in social and wellness programs that strengthen community connections and support those aging alone. In addition, they promote early detection and education around cognitive health through memory screenings and dementia awareness.

The collaborative process has already produced meaningful outcomes for the nonprofit community and the older adults they serve, including the establishment of Network Hubs across the District, alignment around shared goals and collective impact metrics, expanded collaboration among partners, and improved coordination of services through shared tools and resources.

Together, these efforts mark an important step toward building a stronger, more connected network of organizations supporting older adults across Washington, D.C.

As we move into the next phase, we look forward to finalizing grant agreements with our partners and launching these initiatives across the District.

Warm regards,

The Washington Home

In the Community

The Washington Home recently conducted a site visit to Goods for Good during a community pop-up event at Capitol Hill Towers in Northeast Washington, DC. The event brought together volunteers who distributed a wide assortment of cold-weather clothing, toiletries, and essential hygiene items specifically tailored to meet the needs of older adults.

The pop-up created a welcoming, dignified space for residents to access much-needed resources while fostering connection and community engagement. It was inspiring to see volunteers actively supporting older adults and ensuring they had the practical essentials they needed to stay warm, healthy, and cared for during the winter season.

Our programs team also conducted a site visit to Community of Hope, where we are proud to support COH’s Senior Dental Program. The program prioritizes older adults who have not received dental care within the past two years and those with complex treatment needs, ensuring that the most vulnerable seniors receive timely and comprehensive services.

To reduce barriers to care, Community of Hope offers priority scheduling for older adults and provides free transportation when needed. For patients requiring specialized treatment, COH has established partnerships with an endodontist and an oral surgeon, negotiating reduced rates to promote continuity, affordability, and access to high-quality dental care

The team recently attended the open house at the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington to celebrate the organization's improved space and learn more about its work supporting older adults and individuals living with low vision.

Each year, POB reaches more than 13,000 community members through evidence-based programs that include vision acuity and glaucoma screenings, eyeglass fittings and distribution, vision health education, low vision rehabilitation, resource assistance, and support groups. These services play a critical role in helping individuals maintain independence and improve their quality of life.

Our Program Director, Tiffany Oscar, visited the House Call team at Medstar Health. She joined their team meeting to learn more about the House Calls Program and its role in expanding access to care for older adults. The discussion highlighted how providing care and services in patients’ homes helps address barriers to healthcare access and supports improved health outcomes. This conversation also provided insight into how the program strengthens the continuum of care within the community.

SPOTLIGHTS

Supporting Social Connection and Wellness

As part of our commitment to supporting social and wellness programs that strengthen community connections and uplift older adults, including those aging solo, seniors from So Others Might Eat (SOME) visited Virginia Beach for their annual Senior Summer Camp, proudly supported by The Washington Home.

SOME continues to create spaces where older adults feel seen, supported, and connected. The photos from their 2025 summer camp capture seniors enjoying community, wellness activities, and meaningful time together—experiences designed to reduce isolation and strengthen stability.

Announcements

At The Washington Home, we believe that strong leadership and continuous learning are essential to advancing innovative solutions for older adults. Program Director Tiffany Oscar was recently selected for the American Society on Aging’s RISE Fellowship, a national leadership program that brings together professionals from across sectors to strengthen systems that support aging communities. Through this fellowship, Tiffany is engaging with leaders from across the country to explore approaches that address complex issues impacting older adults, including healthcare workforce shortages, social isolation, and access to care. The experience also reinforces the importance of leaders serving as unifiers, bringing together diverse partners, perspectives, and resources to strengthen the ecosystem of care. These insights directly inform our work to build stronger partnerships and improve health and well-being for older adults across Washington, DC.

Resources

National Catholic School of Social Service

The Trauma-Informed Practice Scholars Program (TIPSP) aims to increase access to behavioral health services for children, adolescents, and young adults in the Washington, D.C. area by training Master of Social Work (MSW) students in trauma-informed behavioral health practice.

Selected TIPSP scholars will receive stipends of $25,000 to support their education and training.

Learn More

End of Life Resources

The Washington Home currently owns 48 burial plots and 1 crypt designated for a hospice patient at Fort Lincoln Cemetery. As part of our ongoing mission to support individuals at the end of life with compassion and dignity, we are seeking to donate these plots to organizations serving those most in need. If your organization works closely with terminally ill individuals or hospice patients and is interested in learning more, please email Patricia Ndimantang at Pndimantang@thewashingtonhome.org

Are you a caregiver looking for guidance and support? Follow this link to access A Caregiver’s Guide and discover valuable insights and resources to help you on your caregiving journey. To learn more, call (800) 869-2136. For areas outside Washington DC, call: (844) 438-6744 capitalcaring.org/hospice

At The Washington Home, our mission is to fund entities that create and deliver innovative, compassionate, and well-managed programs to improve the quality of life for older adults and/or terminally ill residents in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Do you have an upcoming event or initiative you'd like to share with our community? We'd love to include it in our next newsletter! Send your event details to Patricia Ndimantang at Pndimantang@thewashingtonhome.org. Let's keep our community connected and informed!