Innovia Foundation Awards Grant to Interlink, Launching Senior Social Directory

Amidst a growing senior population in Asotin County, a need arose for engaging activities that would bring the aging community together. Interlink, who has been serving local seniors since 1984, began the Senior Social Directory as a way to connect seniors to their community and each other.  

Available to over 14,000 seniors, the new directory will collect information on senior social activities and organizations across Nez Perce and Asotin counties. Categories will include civic organizations, exercise programs, hobby clubs, sport clubs, nature clubs, fraternal organizations, coffee clubs, churches and senior meal programs. A $10,000 grant from Innovia Foundation through the 2024 Community Grants Program is jumpstarting the directory project by funding staffing, printing and distribution costs.   

The need for increased senior-focused services is well-documented. Since 2022, Interlink has been gathering data on the local senior population and predicts that seniors will make up one third of the adult population in the Lewis-Clark Valley by 2040, with disproportionate numbers living alone. Distributing a comprehensive social directory will promote all aspects of senior health and encourage a more communicative, inclusive and supportive community where everyone can find belonging. 

“A directory of this sort has never before been produced in this area,” says Mark Haven, Executive Director of Interlink. “There are many different senior resource directories to help people find services, but no other single publication to help people find each other for common social pursuits.” 

Interlink worked in collaboration with countless local organizations to bring this project together, including community centers, home health agencies, churches, healthcare providers and the local newspaper, the Lewiston Morning Tribune. 

Havens says that Interlink hopes this directory will help combat the epidemic of loneliness and encourage newcomers to the Lewis-Clark Valley to get connected to their communities. 

“Of course, becoming a volunteer for Interlink is one of the best ways to meet people and help the community!” Havens joked. 

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