A Vision for Connection
From January 2024 to June 2025, the Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation (IVWF) partnered with four rural Northend communities in Imperial County to address an urgent and often overlooked need: creating spaces where older adults feel seen, heard, and connected. In partnership with the Bombay Beach Community Services District, Calipatria Latin American Club, Northend Alliance 111, and the Westmorland Community Food Pantry, the project sought to uplift the voices of older adults, foster relationships, and strengthen the fabric of community life.
Funded by The SCAN Foundation, California Health Care Foundation, and Metta Fund, the initiative was rooted in a bold but simple goal:
Ensure that aging in Imperial County is defined not by isolation, but by care, connection, and belonging.
The Heart of the Project
The approach was simple yet transformative: empower trusted local leaders—our Community Connectors—to create and lead ECO (Equity Community Organizing) Groups. These gatherings were designed to be welcoming, inclusive spaces where older adults could share their needs, ideas, and dreams.
Over the 18-month period, the numbers tell a story of deep impact:
- 11 Community Collaborators
- 2 Learning Exchanges bringing community voices to decision-makers
- 75 ECO Group Members building strong, supportive networks
- 200+ Engaged Community Members connected through events and outreach
ECO Group Gatherings: Building Belonging, One Conversation at a Time
Each community hosted regular ECO Group gatherings—sometimes over a meal, sometimes during a coffee chat, sometimes while playing games or listening to music. These gatherings offered both joy and purpose: joy in the form of laughter, dancing, and shared food; purpose in the form of open dialogue about the needs and aspirations of older adults.
From these conversations, certain themes consistently emerged:
- The need for more social engagement opportunities to combat isolation.
- Improved access to healthcare services.
- Stable and affordable housing options.
- Reliable transportation for medical appointments, shopping, and social events.
- More opportunities for community participation and intergenerational exchange.
The gatherings did more than identify needs—they inspired action. Together, older adults and Community Connectors began to imagine a better, more connected future.
The Five Pillars of a Community of Care and Belonging
Drawing from stories, surveys, and shared experiences, the ECO Groups co-created a framework that now guides ongoing efforts in the Northend:
- Community Gathering & Shared Spaces – Creating spaces for meaningful interaction.
- Connections, Support & Resources for Older Adults – Bridging the gap between services and community needs.
- Social & Recreational Engagement – Supporting physical, emotional, and mental health.
- Public & Institutional Agency Support – Ensuring older adults have assistance from government and community agencies that provide resources and services.
- Food & Housing Access for All – Ensuring everyone has access to nutritious food and safe, stable housing, especially older adults.
Learning Exchanges: Turning Insights into Action
A key feature of the project was the Learning Exchanges, which brought together representatives from:
- Imperial County Aging and Disability Services
- Imperial County Area Agency on Aging
- Imperial County Department of Social Services
- Imperial County Public Health Department
- Imperial County Transportation Commission
- Imperial Valley Housing Authority
- Imperial Irrigation District
- Project Food Box
- Innercare
- Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program
- Imperial County Office of Emergency Services
- Other local government agencies
These gatherings provided a direct bridge between service providers and the communities they serve. For many agencies, hearing directly from older adults and trusted local leaders was an eye-opener—helping them adapt programs, address gaps, and better align with real needs.
Tangible Impacts & Stories of Change
The ECO Groups didn’t just talk about solutions—they built them.
- In Niland, community advocacy led to expanded cooling center hours, providing safe relief during extreme summer heat.
- In Bombay Beach, a weekly coffee club became a cherished space for connection and mutual support.
These outcomes are rooted in local voices, proving that when communities lead, change follows.
Investing in the Future
The project’s success attracted over $100,000 in additional funding, ensuring that ECO Groups can continue to meet, grow, and advocate for their communities. This funding supports:
- Ongoing gatherings for older adults
- Capacity-building for local organizations
- Community-led initiatives that respond directly to local needs
Why This Matters
Older adults in rural communities often face unique challenges—geographic isolation, limited transportation, and fewer local services. But as the ECO Groups have shown, these challenges can be met with creativity, solidarity, and partnership.
Today, institutions and government agencies recognize ECO Groups as essential voices in shaping programs and policies for older adults. Trust has been built, and a foundation for lasting collaboration is in place.
Looking Ahead
The work doesn’t end here. Over the coming years, IVWF and its partners will:
- Expand ECO Group participation to reach more older adults.
- Continue using the Communities of Care and Belonging framework as a guide.
- Adapt activities based on ongoing feedback from older adults.
- Strengthen partnerships between community groups and service agencies.
As one Community Connector put it:
“Belonging is more than a feeling—it’s knowing that someone will notice if you’re not there, and care enough to check in.”
Join Us
Whether you’re an older adult, a family member, a service provider, or simply someone who cares about community, you can be part of this movement. Attend an ECO Group gathering, volunteer with a partner organization, or help spread the word.
Together, we can ensure that aging in Imperial County is marked by dignity, joy, and connection.
📄 Read the Full Report HERE
💌 Contact: Roque Barros, rbarros@ivwf.org