Dear Friends,

As we step into 2025, The Washington Home is embracing a new approach to our monthly Partner Connect meetings, a ward-based initiative aimed at fostering deeper connections and driving meaningful change at the ward level.

Our goal is to create real, actionable opportunities that improve the quality of life for older adults by strengthening Community-Based Initiatives. Through these conversations, we aim to enhance access to critical services and resources tailored to the unique needs of D.C.’s older adult population.

Together, we hope to explore the challenges organizations face, from funding cuts and rising costs to resource gaps, while identifying opportunities for collaboration that can lead to sustainable solutions.

With an evolving landscape, it’s more important than ever to build strong alliances that foster strategic planning, adaptability, and long-term growth. By working together, we can create lasting change and ensure continued support for the most vulnerable in our community.

Thank you to all our partners for your dedication and engagement. Your contributions make these discussions both powerful and purposeful. Together, we are shaping a stronger, healthier future for older adults across Washington, D.C.

Warm regards,

The Washington Home Team

Site Visits Spotlight

🌟 D.C Central Kitchen

🌟 The Wilderness Technology

🌟 Seabury Resources for Aging

🌟 Wendt Center for Loss and Healing

Ward 8 Partner Connect

We launched our ward-based partner connect with Ward 8 and were graciously hosted by Martha's Table in their beautiful Southeast D.C. facility. This gathering brought together organizations serving the Ward 8 community to explore potential collaborative solutions, address shared challenges, and strengthen support systems for older adults in the area.

Grantee Informational Session

FY25 Open RFP Application Process

Our open RFP application period will run from February 3rd to March 14th, 2025.

To help you develop a strong proposal, we have put together key resources to guide you through the process. Starting February 3, you can visit the Grants section of our website, to access a recorded training video and a PDF of the Grant Application Process presentation slides.

Click here to explore the grant section of our website and get started.

Applicant Support Grantee Meetings

As part of the application process, all applicants are required to complete a Grantee Meeting. This is the support we are offering you. Registration for these Meetings will be open from February 3 -February 7, 2025.

To register, please review the available time slots on the SignUpGenius webpage here and select a time that works for you.

Once registration is received, our team will review it and send a Zoom calendar invite to confirm your meeting. You may cancel and reschedule through the SignUpGenius webpage.

For any questions, contact Patricia Ndimantang at pndimantang@thewashingtonhome.org.

In the Community

Effective December 1, 2024, we have transitioned all grants to Foundant’s grant management system! Grantees are no longer able to access any documents in Submittable. If you have any questions, send an email to grants@thewashingtonhome.org.

Friendship Bench DC is an initiative by HelpAge USA that empowers older people to bridge gaps in mental health care. Inspired by the Friendship Bench model in Zimbabwe, the program trains older adults known as “Grandparents” to offer free community-based talk therapy to individuals of all ages on wooden “Friendship Benches” located in safe community spaces, effectively addressing anxiety and depression.

Learn more about Friendship Bench DC and see our current list of Host Partners at helpageusa.org/friendshipbench/. To find out how you can get involved or host a bench at your location, contact friendshipbenchdc@gmail.com or 202-709-8442.

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 of our service area, call: (844) 438-6744 capitalcaring.org/hospice

At The Washington Home, our mission is to 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 commonity? 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!