saco: planning together to create an age-friendly future

We started with a close working relationship with our local high school which continues today.  Students created the Age Friendly Saco: A Community for a Lifetime logo and website: agefriendlysaco.org.

 The Steering Committee developed our mission statement:

 A Community for a Lifetime, is to promote active aging by optimizing opportunities for health, engagement, and safety while removing barriers that prevent our citizens from remaining in their homes as they age.

 This is accomplished through engagement with community organizations, as well as collaboration with the City of Saco and the recruitment of volunteers for the delivery of services. This has empowered residents to remain in, and engaged in, their community.

 Following a community survey, AFS started planning for how services would be delivered.  From these discussions, the Operations Team was formed. This is the leadership group which represents all the various programs of AFS. Our group continues to meet bi-weekly, to plan and report on the various services/ programs AFS offers, determine priorities, and develop the annual calendar for AFS. 

 Age Friendly Saco has made great strides in helping our community become more livable for all. One of our first successes was to make our public beach accessible for all.

 In 2018: Age Friendly Saco was the recipient of an AARP Challenge Grant.Through the placement of Mobi-mats, we were able to make Bayview Beach accessible to all. Benches were also placed on the sand to allow people the opportunity to sit and enjoy the beach. This grant had a domino effect, when the local Rotary Club donated a beach wheelchair and walker.

In 2017: One of our first collaborations was the delivery of sand buckets working with the Saco Public Works Department and our local high school.

Through our participation with Wayside Food Program and its Commodity Supplemental Food Program, our volunteers continue to provide monthly food box deliveries. And prior to the pandemic, and in collaboration with Saco Parks and Recreation, Age Friendly Saco volunteers provided monthly grocery shopping shuttles for two senior low-income congregate living facilities.

In 2021 and 2022: Working with community partners, AFS provided over 350 meals to residents of Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach for Valentine’s Day. Each meal is accompanied by a beautiful Valentine created by local students. This special tradition continues today.

In 2022: Age Friendly Saco started a monthly forum called Coffee and Conversations. Topics related to health, community resources and aging issues are presented.

In 2021 and 2022: Working with community partners, AFS provided over 350 meals to residents of Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach for Valentine’s Day. Each meal is accompanied by a beautiful Valentine created by local students. This special tradition continues today.

 In 2022: Age Friendly Saco started a monthly forum called Coffee and Conversations. Topics related to health, community resources and aging issues are presented.

In 2018: With a grant from the Maine Community Foundation and in collaboration with Saco Parks and Recreation, AFS created an accessible garden at the local Community Center. At the end of the year a harvest dinner was hosted and enjoyed by the many generations involved in the community garden project.

In 2020: An adaptive bicycle program, utilizing a Chat (a rickshaw–like transport bike) was developed. Utilizing volunteer bike pilots and safety riders, residents in three care facilities can experience the joy of a bike ride once again. Chat rides around the city are provided on a weekly basis during the summer.

In 2019: Prior to the pandemic and resuming in 2023, Age Friendly Saco provided socialization opportunities for residents with bi-annual dinner dances held at the Community Center. A great jazz band and special holiday meal created a fun evening!

In 2021: With a grant from Maine Community Foundation, AFS began planning a volunteer transportation program, focused on getting Saco residents to medical appointments. Two AmeriCorps members, supported by the University of Maine’s Center on Aging, assisted with planning and brought the program to fruition. The program quickly geared up to recruit and orient volunteer drivers.

In 2023: AFS initiated the Age Friendly Saco Mobility Shuttle service with the support of an AARP/ Toyota Foundation Grant. This service assists residents in accessing  transportation for services other than medical appointments, such as grocery shopping, exercise classes, the library, etc. It is an on-demand shared ride service. One resident described how difficult it was to find transportation for his father to an adult daycare program. He arranged for an UBER to come to the house but as soon as his father left the house with his walker, the Uber driver left. The Mobility Shuttle was the perfect match for him and his needs.