Who Are We?
The Vital Aging Network (VAN) builds the individual and civic capacity of older adults to create vital communities in which people of all generations work together to find the right balance between meeting the individual needs of its people and achieving the common good.
Mission
Our mission is to promote the self-determination, community involvement, and personal enrichment for and with older adults through education and advocacy
The organization is lead by a group of individuals from diverse backgrounds who volunteer their time and believe deeply in the need for people of all ages to be engaged, contributing members of society.
What We Do
The ALVA Leadership Development Program prepares civic leaders to be co-creators of communities that work for all generations. VAN provides information and dialogue on our website, in our e-Bulletin, and at monthly VAN Forums. We are developing a model for engaging experienced adults in vital communities. In addition, VAN partners with VAN Ventures, initiatives that further the ideals and principles of vital aging.
Core Values
The Vital Aging Network is organized around these core values:
- Self-determination is central to the realization of civil and human rights.
- Communities should encourage and support older adults in being as self-sufficient as possible.
- The vital involvement and integration of older adults into the community is necessary for the individual’s and the community’s health.
- Older adults are a resource to the community. Communities must recognize, encourage, and support their productivity and contributions.
- Communities should recognize and support the mutuality of interests across generations.
- Ageism is a pervasive form of bigotry that individuals and communities must challenge.
Primary funding for VAN is through a grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies.