In 2006—as the eldest Baby Boomers began to turn 60—The Atlantic Philanthropies initiated a national effort to assess how Boomers planned to approach retirement. They established the Community Experience Partnership and began working with 32 community foundations across the United States to explore this issue within their local communities. In Denver, they chose Rose Community Foundation.

In 2007, Rose Community Foundation launched Boomers Leading Change to identify the priorities of Adults 55+ in Metro Denver and to better understand the potential for the increased civic engagement of Adults 55+ as they approached retirement.

What change is your organization making in the world?

Over the past nearly six years, Boomers Leading Change in Health has mobilized approximately 300 Adults 50+ as volunteers, AmeriCorps Encore Members, and certified health coverage guides.  Together, they have provided assistance to more than 60,000 people at nearly three dozen host sites located across Metro Denver by connecting them to healthcare resources, helping them enroll in health coverage, and teaching them to take better care of themselves and their families.

What role has JVA played in helping your organization make a difference?

JVA helped create the strategic plan for Boomers Leading Change in Health–before there even was a Boomers Leading Change in Health.  JVA conducted the research that revealed health/healthcare was the number one concern of adults 55+ in metro Denver.  Since that time, JVA has helped us prepare grant applications, create data collection tools, provide data collection and analysis, consulted with us on subsequent strategic plans, facilitated strategic conversations among our board members, and offered us additional training, such as the Executive Director Academy, Social Enterprise Base Camp and more.

How did attending Executive Director Academy help you become a more effective changemaker?

It helped me focus my attention on what is most important, better understand my organization’s financials, and probably most important, it connected me with colleagues throughout the state that with whom I can compare notes, exchange ideas, and commiserate over challenges.