Updates from Commit to Connect: Fall 2025

FALL 2025

Commit to Connect Updates

Watch On-Demand: Recent Commit to Connect Webinars and Office Hours

Did you miss a recent Commit to Connect (CTC) event? View our website to access new recordings and resources from virtual events.

Supporting Social Connection of Caregivers Webinar. Featuring the Caregiver Action Network (CAN), AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services, and a ‘Carefluencer’ with lived experience. View the slides.
Supporting Social Connection Through Volunteerism Webinar. Featuring the Oasis Institute and Lori’s Hands. View the slides.
Commit to Connect Office Hours: Social Connection and Assistive Technology. Featuring Jeannie Krull, Executive Director of the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP). Access key resources shared during the Office Hours in the Resources Recap.
Commit to Connect Office Hours: Social Connection and Engaging People with Disabilities in Rural Communities. Featuring Krys Standley, the Research Project Director at the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities grant. Access key resources shared during the Office Hours in the Resources Recap.

Find all event recordings and materials for past events on the CTC Events webpage.

Highlights From the 2025 National Summit to Increase Social Connections

On September 9 and 10, Commit to Connect hosted our annual National Summit to Increase Social Connections. This free and virtual event gathered more than 1,950 local, state, and national leaders to explore this year’s theme, “Scaling and Replicating Effective Social Connection Programs.” The Virtual Summit highlighted innovative initiatives that strengthen the Aging and Disability networks’ capacity to address social isolation and strategies to replicate and scale these programs nationwide. Watch the full recordings from both days of the summit and access slides on the Virtual Summit web page.

Updates From Commit to Connect's Latest Community of Practice

Commit to Connect recently concluded the 2025 Community of Practice (COP). Six community care hubs offering chronic disease self-management education programs measured the impact of these programs on social connection. This COP supports a long-term goal of CTC—increasing the availability and understanding of evidence-driven programs and services addressing social isolation and loneliness. More information on the COP, including participating organizations and aims of the COP, can be found on the COP web page.

Explore 25 New Additions to the Social Engagement Innovations Hub

The Social Engagement Innovations Hub is a searchable clearinghouse of
more than 100 model programs designed to encourage adoption, replication, and awareness of best practices and interventions, programs, and services addressing social isolation and loneliness. Commit to Connect recently expanded the Social Engagement Innovations Hub with 25 new model programs.

The newly added programs, services, and interventions include:

Medical Escort Program: Developed by FriendshipWorks in Boston, MA, the escort program is a free “door-through-door” service where volunteers accompany older adults to medical appointments, providing personalized support before, during, and after the visit.
LevelUpLand: Developed by the Franklin County Office on Aging in Columbus, OH, this program is designed to combat social isolation and loneliness by using gaming as a social connector for older adults. Different games provide educational and immersive experiences related to e-sports, sports, health, and wellness.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by contract no. 140D0424D0032 from ACL. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.