Community Connector Spotlight:
Age Friendly York
Amber Harrison
The Community Connector Pilot is part of the Community Connections project, a signature initiative of the Governor's Cabinet on Aging, partnering with the University of Maine Center on Aging, Lifelong Maine's Age-Friendly Communities, and Maine's Area Agencies on Aging.
The goal of the Community Connector Pilots is to expand resource connections and increase the capacity of age-friendly communities to connect residents to the services and programs they need to thrive. Each of the 12 pilot projects built on the strengths and needs in their community so each is a little different.
Each month, the Lifelong Maine news will highlight one of the 14 Community Connectors working in the 12 Community Connector pilot sites. To learn more about all of the pilots, visit Community Connector Pilot Sites. This month, we shine a light on Amber Harrison, Age-Friendly York Community Connector.
A Collaborative Effort to Support Aging in York
Age-Friendly York is working to make the town more accessible, inclusive, and supportive for its aging population. York Community Service Association (YCSA) Executive Director, Michelle Surdoval explains, “We received the data from the most recent census, and that really was a stark number for us. 27-28% of residents over 55 in York are living alone. That's a big demographic in town.” That’s why Age-Friendly York is building strong partnerships with the York Parks and Recreation Department, the Center for Active Living, York Public Library, StrengthenME, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, Spiritual Care Services of Maine, local elder law attorneys, and York Adult Education. The program is also expanding its reach to include York Housing Authority, York Hospital, and the York Land Trust to provide strong programming to support older residents.
The York Community Services Association Team.
Building a Strong Foundation Through Pilot Projects
Since its inception in 2023, the Age-Friendly York pilot has focused on providing essential resources and educational opportunities for older adults. Amber Harrison, Housing Innovation Manager with YCSA, has expanded her role to coordinate their age-friendly offerings, including:
Aging in Place Webinars – Informative sessions on how to safely and comfortably remain in one’s home as they age.
Folio Classes with Elder Law Attorneys – Covering vital legal documents and estate planning essentials.
Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults – Hands-on classes providing guidance on readiness strategies, including the distribution of to-go bags.
Death Cafés – Facilitated by a death doula, these open discussions explore all aspects of death and dying in a supportive group setting.
The programs are making a real impact for people. “One of our FOLIO class attendees recently shared how much she has gained from our programs and excitedly mentioned that she planned to discuss them with her family. She also signed up for our Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults workshop and Death Cafes this winter! This delightful conversation clearly demonstrates that our age-friendly series is making a significant impact within our community, fostering valuable discussions among families and friends as they navigate the journey of aging in place,” says Amber.
Strengthening Community Connections
One of the key goals of the pilot program has been to establish a structured system for organizing services, and Age Friendly York is now beginning to implement the Assisted Rides database to catalog and enhance outreach efforts.
Existing YCSA services that benefit older adults and the broader community include:
Twice-Monthly Community Suppers – Public meals run by dedicated volunteers.
Food Pantry Pickups and Deliveries – Ensuring food security for those in need.
Thrift Store and Family Services – Providing essential goods and assistance.
General Assistance and Local Health Officer Support – Helping residents navigate social services and health-related concerns.
A new informational postcard will soon be distributed to about 600 York residents, announcing the town’s Age-Friendly designation and guiding them to essential resources and services. Initially, the card will focus on reaching older adult residents and local organizations that specialize in working with adults and caregivers. By utilizing the Town's homestead exemption and property tax stabilization abatement lists, they hope to reach even more older adult residents as well. This outreach effort, combined with YCSA’s extensive social service programs, ensures that York’s older adults have the support they need to lead fulfilling lives.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Age-Friendly York is eager to expand its programs, with hopeful grant funding supporting several initiatives, including:
Improved Accessibility for Public Places and Businesses - Including beach access ramps, business threshold ramps, and ADA-compliant picnic tables.
Expanded Emergency Preparedness Training – Coordinating with the York Fire Department and York Housing Authority to bring preparedness classes to residential communities.
Continued Death Cafés – Furthering discussions in collaboration with York Hospital and the Center for Active Living.
For more information on Age-Friendly York and the comprehensive services offered by YCSA, visit www.ycsame.org.