»

The Washington Home Invests $504K to Build “Big Ward – Local Squares” Collaborative for Older Adults in Ward 3

New collaboration strengthens community-wide support resources for social connection and preventative health initiatives

WASHINGTON, DC (July 23, 2026)  – As social isolation continues to rise among older adults, The Washington Home (TWH) has awarded $503,699 to build the Ward 3 “Big Ward – Local Squares” Collaborative, a coordinated effort among four DC Villages, and four community organizations to create neighborhood spaces that improve health outcomes, reduce social isolation, and expand access to critical services for older adults.

The investment will support an integrated network of community villages, aging services organizations, and community partners that will collectively serve more than 3,590 older adults through preventive health screenings, therapeutic recreational services, and social engagement opportunities for ongoing care and support..

“Social isolation among older adults is a growing challenge with real consequences for health and well-being,” said Crystal Carr Townsend, MPA, CEO of The Washington Home. “By expanding the places and opportunities that nurture meaningful social connection, volunteer engagement, community-based programming, and preventative health screenings, we’re building a stronger network of support that helps older adults stay connected, healthier, and more independent as they age.”

The Ward 3 Big Ward – Local Squares Collaborative is part of TWH’s redesigned FY26 grant strategy, which prioritizes collaborative solutions that improve coordination, reduce duplication of services, and create sustainable community impact. In FY26, TWH awarded more than $4.5 million to organizations serving older adults across all eight wards of the District through initiatives focused on healthcare access, social connection, workforce development, and aging in place.

Healthier Living Through Connection & Care

This Ward collaboration is designed to address two critical factors influencing healthy aging:

Social Connection & Community Engagement
Approximately 2,688 older adults will participate in social, educational, and wellness activities that strengthen community connections while increasing awareness of available health resources and screening opportunities.

Healthcare Access & Early Intervention
More than 900 individuals will receive preventive health screenings and support services – including cognitive and memory screenings, vision, dental, behavioral health, and chronic disease management.

The integrated social activities and screening opportunities for older adults can reduce social isolation as well as help to more quickly identify health concerns that could potentially contribute to poorer health outcomes.

Collaboration Partners Deliver Impact

TWH is proud to partner with these eight organizations to deliver social engagement programming and preventative healthcare access so older adults can confidently age in place:

    • Christ House: Provides medical respite, behavioral health and addiction support, case management, and community-based services for homeless men, reducing isolation while stabilizing their health and well-being.
    • Cleveland & Woodley Park Village: Connects members and provides information, cultural and social activities, education, services, and support. Includes health screenings, as well as virtual and in-person programming for members with limited mobility.
    • Glover Park Village: Connects members and provides information, cultural and social activities, education, services, and support. Includes health screenings, as well as virtual and in-person programming for members with limited mobility.
    • Iona Senior Services: Operates a Dementia Navigators program that ensures timely follow-up after screenings and helps families access appropriate services and maintain stability at home. It also offers caregiver respite, an information hotline, and social programming.
    • Northwest Neighbors Village: Connects members and provides information, cultural and social activities, education, services, and support. Includes health screenings, as well as virtual and in-person programming for members with limited mobility.
    • Palisades Village: Connects members and provides information, cultural and social activities, education, services, and support. Includes health screenings, as well as virtual and in-person programming for members with limited mobility.
    • Story Tapestries: Facilitates art therapy workshops at Dupont Circle Village that promote communication, creativity, and emotional well-being.
    • WildTech: Provides basic digital literacy training, device access, virtual learning opportunities, and technical support to help reduce social isolation.


“Big Ward – Local Squares” Collaborative partners celebrate TWH’s funding of its new grant initiative designed to create a more connected, coordinated approach to older adult care services in the District.

“Older residents are a vital thread in the fabric of our community,” said Frank Finamore, Executive Director of the Cleveland & Woodley Park Village. “By working together with other Villages and partner organizations, we can create even more opportunities for older neighbors to connect, learn, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. Through this collaboration we’re helping build a stronger, more connected community where older adults can stay active, engaged, and supported.”

About The Washington Home

The Washington Home is a private foundation that provides funding to entities that create and deliver innovative, compassionate, and well-managed programs to improve the quality of life for elderly and/or terminally ill residents in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Founded in 1888, The Washington Home, until recently, provided long-term care to residents of its nursing home facility in upper Northwest Washington, DC, hospice care to patients in their own homes, and care in the in-patient hospice wing of the nursing home.

In recent years, the Board of Directors of The Washington Home directed a repositioning of the organization by ceasing hands-on care and consolidating its financial resources to be deployed for maximum impact in accordance with its longstanding mission. Learn more at www.TheWashingtonHome.org.