Who Are We?
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.
Our vision is that people 50+ involved with the Vital Aging Network will be engaged and contributing throughout their lives.
What We Do
VAN provides information and opportunities for dialogue on our website, in our e-Bulletin, and at monthly VAN Forums. VAN’s ALVA Leadership Development 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.
Core Principles
The Vital Aging Network is organized around these core principles:
- Vital aging is a lifelong process of achieving individual potential and engaging with others to meet the needs of all.
- Everyone has the capacity to live a vital life no matter what his or her level of ability.
- Older adults have the power to positively affect the quality of their own lives and the lives of others.
- A vital community engages all generations in working together to balance individual good with common good.
- Older adults are contributors in their communities and society at large.
- Institutions and communities benefit when they recognize older adults as assets and contributors.
- Individuals and communities have a responsibility to address and resolve inequities that affect older adults in our society.
- Individuals and organizations benefit when they sustain practices that support vital aging.
Primary funding for VAN is through a grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies.
