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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

In the St. Louis region, aging is a privilege that far too many are denied. The experience of being and becoming older differs substantially based on one’s race, ethnicity, gender, and other identities. Inequity, racism, and discrimination shape health outcomes across the lifespan, and impact the aging experience. Aging impacts us all.

St. Louis area funders are invited to gather with peers to learn about how systems experienced over a person’s lifespan can either limit or promote healthy aging outcomes.

Join us as we look at the systems that continue to impact older adults and connect the dots around racial disparities and aging as we discuss the policies, the data, and perspectives from those with lived experience. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. In-person attendance is encouraged and a virtual option can be offered as needed. 

This unique program will examine Equity in Aging from a lifecourse view:

The Past: Reaping what was sowed.  How are providers responding to the seeds of inequitable policies that were sown decades or centuries ago?

The Present: What is happening currently that affects the ability of older adults to thrive?

The Future: How do we build empathy for our future selves and the generation that will come after us?

This half-day program will:

1. Describe the past and current structural inequities negatively impacting aging and promising policy solutions to address these challenges;
2. Build understanding about the intersectionality of aging in terms of a person’s life course; and
3. Foster connection with other regional funders interested in aging and discussion about opportunities to work collaboratively.

REGISTRATION

This program is presented by Marillac Mission Fund and all grantmakers, regardless of PhilMO membership status, may register at no cost. Click here to register, or contact info@philmo.org for support.

SCHEDULE

8:00 AM   Gather, Opening Remarks, & Introductions (Speaker: Claire Hundelt, Executive Director, Marillac Mission Fund)

9:00AM     The Past: How does prior policy inform present work? (Speakers: Ray Boshara, Legislative Fellow, Office of U.S. Senator Bob Casey; Dr. Dwayne Proctor, President & CEO, Missouri Foundation for Health; Kathy Greenlee, Senior Director of Elder Justice Initiatives, Advancing States)

9:40AM The Present: What is happening now that affects the ability of older adults to thrive? (Facilitator: Nicole Brueggeman, Executive Director, MO Council on Aging; Panelists: Samantha Ferguson Knight, Director of Senior Programming, LifeWise StL; Amy Blouin, Executive Director, MO Budget Project; Dr. Kyler Sherman-Wilkins, Associate Professor, Missouri State University, Rosetta Keeton, Patient Advisory Consultant, St. Louis Regional Health Commission,)

10:40AM The Future: Young persons’ perspectives on aging (Speakers: Dr. Nancy Morrow-Howell, Professor, Washington University in St. Louis & Director of Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging,  Dr. Brian Carpenter, Co-Director Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging, Madeline Franklin, Executive Director, STL Village)

11:15AM Reflection and Call to Act: Aging is a Privilege (Speaker: Rev. Bethany Johnson-Javois, President & CEO, Deaconess Foundation)

11:45AM Luncheon & Discussion About Next Steps (Faciliatator: Michelle Miller, CEO, Philanthropy Missouri)

1:00PM Program Concludes

SPECIAL APPRECIATION

This program is presented by Marillac Mission Fund as part of their work to bring attention to the inequities experienced by older adults and the systems that reinforce these structural inequities.