Massachusetts Task Force to End Loneliness Hosts Good Neighbor Day Summit Sept. 28th

The Massachusetts Task Force to End Loneliness and Build Community will host a virtual summit Wednesday, September 28^th, Good Neighbor Day, from 10 am-12:30pm, click here to sign up. The goal of the summit is to connect neighbors to their community and end social isolation, especially among the Commonwealth’s aging population.

Earlier this year, the United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, warned that the negative health effects of loneliness and isolation are comparable to smoking daily. In recent years, about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness.

The summit has invited experts and community leaders to discuss opportunities to rebuild social connections, in response to Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s advisory to destigmatize loneliness.

The theme for this year’s summit is “Let's Talk, Massachusetts: Embracing Conversations to Build Community.” It's a call to action to create spaces and opportunity in communities to listen to, learn from, connect to, and honor all residents. It’s a chance to renew the social contract to be a good neighbor, helping ensure all Massachusetts residents enjoy stronger social health.

"AARP MA has proudly convened the Massachusetts Taskforce to End Loneliness and Build Community since 2019. The 4^th Annual Good Neighbor Day Summit is a testament to exemplary work being done by our community partners throughout the Commonwealth to promote social inclusion and combat isolation," said Sandra Harris, task force co-chair and State President, AARP Massachusetts. "We hope you join us on September 28^th to learn how we are working together to strengthen social infrastructures in our communities to foster connections and build communities, and as we renew our commitment to promote livable communities that allow our residents to grow, live, work, play, and age well."

"There has been so much exciting work happening worldwide related to promoting social connection as a matter of public health---and our Task Force continues to lead this work in Massachusetts.” said Caitlin Coyle, Co-Chair of the Task Force to End Loneliness and director of the Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) at UMass Boston ”We've focused, this past year, on creating socially connected spaces within community and continued efforts to promote public awareness about the topic and connect people across the Commonwealth who are making things happen in their own cities, towns, and neighborhoods."

The taskforce consists of 75+ members- representing 40+ organizations, including state- and city-level governments, nonprofits, academic institutions, advocacy groups, startups, and other partners. Members share a commitment to ending loneliness and building community throughout Massachusetts.
 
More information can be found at:
https://www.endlonelinessma.com/summit

If you'd like to attend the virtual summit, register here.