Who We Are
The Vital Aging Network's mission is to promote self-determination, civic engagement, and personal growth for people as they age, through education, leadership development, and opportunities for connection. VAN is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Our vision is that people 50+ involved with the Vital Aging Network will be engaged and contributing throughout their lives. (Click on the flyer to download pdf.)
What We Do
VAN provides information and opportunities for dialogue on our website, in our e-Bulletin, and at monthly VAN Forums. VAN’s Evolve: Re-igniting Self & Community program prepares people 50+ to be civic leaders in their communities.
VAN partners with a wide range of community and national organizations to help achieve our goals.
Community Leadership After 50
One of VAN's primary focuses is civic engagement for people 50+. In partnership with Twin Cities Public Television (tpt), VAN produced the following video. The video explores the importance of civic engagement in creating sustainable communities. People 50+ have an opportunity to lead the way.
Core Principles
The Vital Aging Network is organized around these core principles:
- Everyone has the capacity for self-determination, civic engagement, and personal growth no matter his or her level of ability.
- People 50+ have the power to positively affect the quality of their own lives and have the potential to be catalytic leaders in their communities and in society.
- People need access to information and other people to help them live to their full capacity.
- Partnering with other organizations with shared values and missions helps each organization be more effective.
- Individuals, organizations, and communities benefit when older adults are engaged as contributing members of society.
- Everyone is responsible for addressing and resolving inequities that affect older adults in our society.
For additional information, email Mark Skeie, executive director.
This section includes the following pages:
- Skeie Named Purpose Prize Fellow - Encore.org announced December 5 that Mark Skeie, Lake Elmo, MN, is a 2012 Purpose Prize fellow. The Purpose Prize is the nation’s only large-scale investment in social entrepreneurs and other creative problem solvers in the second half of life.
- Accomplishments - VAN's accomplishments over the past year.
- In Memoriam - VAN pays tribute to people we have lost.
