Do Good Door County is rooted in the knowledge gained by listening to Door County residents. Taking the results of They is Us, the organization was formed. In the Fall of 2022, we completed a survey in collaboration with St. Norbert College Strategic Research Institute followed by community forums. Here’s a few things we learned:
- 86% of residents say that they want to stay in their Door County home for as long as possible.
- More than one-third are not sure what they would do if they could not longer live on their own.
- Two-thirds of residents know that they will need help in and around their home, such as snow removal and house repair/cleaning in order to stay in place.
- Many residents feel that social activities and engagement in the community is as important as transportation and food access.
- Not being able to drive, be otherwise mobile, have memory loss or a serious illness is a primary concern.
- Being lonely, sad or depressed and concerns about being a burden are also at the top of people’s minds as they age.
The Village Model
We have a vision of becoming a “Village” at the municipality and County level to be sure we can support each other as we age in the face of home care and trades shortages. The Village Model assures that older adults have access to services, activities and support to help them stay in their home and engaged in their community.
This effort is now active and in the planning stages in Sister Bay/Liberty Grove and Sturgeon Bay. If you are interested in becoming involved or getting started in another area of Door County, please contact us.
Learn more about the Village Model at https://youtu.be/WUxn3Z-6-AY.
MatchUp
Do Good Door County has launched the MatchUp program, connecting older adults with vetted and trained employers, offering older adults in Door County fulfilling part-time job opportunities. We know this is one of the best ways to offering important social opportunities and support our local economy. Learn more about the MatchUp program at https://youtu.be/hR4sljN1SvA.
Age-Friendly Community
The Age-Friendly Community initiative is a recognized effort by the World Health Organization (WHO) and AARP that seeks to create communities that are inclusive and accessible to people of all ages, with a particular focus on the needs and preferences of older adults. The initiative encourages active aging, social participation, and a high quality of life for seniors, involving various aspects such as accessible transportation, housing, healthcare, social engagement, and community services.
We are actively pursuing collaborations to bring the Age Friendly Community’s 8 Domains of Livability to all corners of Door County. Learn more about the Domains at our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQKpU6SPLKNT4lOFxjjwuWv6tuHFAkgnf.
Call us today to help get this important initiative launched in your area of Door.
Intergenerational Events
Intergenerational events and initiatives bring people of different age groups together to learn from each other and share their experiences. These efforts have numerous benefits including:
- Promoting social connections and reducing social isolation
- Building understanding and empathy
- Encouraging lifelong learning
- Fostering a sense of community
- Providing positive role models
- Improving health outcomes
Learn more at https://youtu.be/g–PIdJw5iA. We provide consulting services to help your next event or initiative is an intergenerational one. Contact us to help assure that everyone in Door County is inclusive and engaging.
Training
We have a number of opportunities for training in your business or community that address older adult concerns such as socialization, service accessibility, and ageism. Check it this video about how to combat ageism in our community…https://youtu.be/-_-aXqO-MuI.
With over 20 years’ experience in both the aging and education arenas, Cynthia Germain, President of Do Good Door County, can customize training to bring programs that combine proven strategies with fresh ideas, giving you the tools to make a difference in lives of older adults in Door County. Contact us today!