What is the Social Connection Program?
The Social Connection Program (SCP) aims to increase social connection among older adults, spurred by statistics on the negative health impacts of social isolation. The lack of social connection has been shown to increase health risks as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. In 2024, one in three adults aged 50–80 (33%) reported feeling lonely some of the time or often in the past year.
The goal of the Social Connection Program is to identify, develop, and connect people to programs and events that foster social connection, both at the Greenwood Senior Center (GSC) and in the community.
The program is funded by the King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy.
Consultations
Are you interested in increasing your level of social connection with others in your community but aren’t sure how? Do you have a friend or relative who could benefit from increased social connection? Contact Teresa Tam, SCP Coordinator, for a free consultation.
gro.r1764015738etnec1764015738yenni1764015738hp@ta1764015738seret1764015738
206.531.0061
Programs
Connection Rx
A 6-week program with a ‘social fitness group’ to help increase your level of social connection. Groups will motivate each other to identify and participate in activities to increase their level of social connection and discuss ways to overcome challenges.
Next group begins Jan 2026. GSC. Pay what you can. Suggested donation: $50 PNA Member/$60 Public. Contact Teresa Tam, gro.r1764015738etnec1764015738yenni1764015738hp@ta1764015738seret1764015738 for more information.
Social Solos
Afternoon tea time and social connection with other ‘solos’ (individuals who are aging without family).
In person: First Thursday each month. 2-3 pm
GSC. Free.
Online: First Wednesday each month. 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm. Zoom. Free.
Registration required. Contact Teresa Tam at gro.r1764015738etnec1764015738yenni1764015738hp@ta1764015738seret1764015738 or 206.531.0061.
Backup Plan for Solo Aging Group
A growing portion of the 50+ population is composed of “solos.” These are individuals who cannot or choose not to rely on family to help them navigate life events and make health decisions. The group helps solos plan for and manage health and well-being decisions and events—both large and small—during the second half of life. Participants work on a personal ‘backup plan’ to make sure they have help and support when they need it. The Backup Plan concept was designed by Linda Camp, an independent consultant and researcher.
Pay what you can. Suggested donation: $50 PNA Member/$60 Public
Next group begins in October. Contact Teresa Tam at gro.r1764015738etnec1764015738yenni1764015738hp@ta1764015738seret1764015738 or 206.531.0061 for more information.
Forest Therapy Guided Walks
Forest Therapy is immersion into nature that invites you to connect with the environment through all five senses. Benefits include a reduction in stress levels and blood pressure and an increase in calm and connection. Walks led by a certified guide from Cascadia Forest Therapy.
Summer 2026 dates TBD
Registration required. Pay what you can. Suggested donation $5-20. Contact Teresa Tam at gro.r1764015738etnec1764015738yenni1764015738hp@ta1764015738seret1764015738 or 206.531.0061.
The UnLonely Film Festival
The annual UnLonely Film Festival, sponsored by the Foundation for Art & Healing, celebrates the power of storytelling in film. It’s a curated series of award-winning short films that give voice to the loneliness epidemic and represents the many lived experiences with isolation. The GSC hosts viewing of some of the films each fall, followed by discussion.
Tuesday, November 4, 1-3 pm. GSC. Free.
Registration required. Contact Teresa Tam at gro.r1764015738etnec1764015738yenni1764015738hp@ta1764015738seret1764015738 or 206.531.0061.
Communication Practice Group (formerly Social Skills)
Does chatting with new people make you nervous? Want to deepen your existing friendships? This group will use structured exercises to help you overcome obstacles that are preventing you from connecting fully with others.
4th Thursday of each month. 2-3:30 pm. GSC. $5 PNA Members/$7 Public.
Please register for each session separately by contacting the GSC at 206-297-0875.
Speed Friending
Interested in meeting others in your community and making new friends? Speed Friending is a fun and fast paced way to meet new people in a way that dissolves awkward social barriers.
CANCELLED: Ages 50-65. Saturday, November 1, 10:30 am -12:30 pm
Ages 50+ (changed from 60+). Wednesday, January 21, 1:30-3 pm
GSC. $10/PNA Members, $15/Public
Registration required. Contact Teresa Tam at gro.r1764015738etnec1764015738yenni1764015738hp@ta1764015738seret1764015738 or 206.531.0061.
Tech Support Group
Technology can help maintain and enhance social connections with peers, family, friends, and caregivers. But what if technology scares or frustrates you? The new GSC Tech Support Group is here to help! Bring your tech questions and your device(s) (e.g., iPhone, iPad, laptop) and we’ll research solutions together online, followed by breakout groups to implement those solutions.
Third Tuesday of each month. 1-2:30 pm. GSC. Free. Please register for each session separately by contacting the GSC at 206-297-0875.
Connect2Affect Workshop
Are you recently retired and feel you’ve lost vital social connections? Perhaps you’ve had a recent life transition and have lost friends? If so, this community workshop is for you!
Created by the AARP Foundation’s Connect2Affect program, this workshop will help you craft your own ‘Friendventory’ to take stock of your social contacts and think about ways to improve your connections.
Tuesday, February 10, 11 am to noon. GSC. Free.
Registration required. Contact Teresa Tam at gro.r1764015738etnec1764015738yenni1764015738hp@ta1764015738seret1764015738 or 206.531.0061.
Past Programs and Events
UW Social Connection Survey and Video
In partnership with a University of Washington Master of Public Health in Community-Oriented Public Health Practice class, this survey aimed to help understand older adults’ level of social connection views on connecting with others through GSC programs. Here’s a video about the survey!
Social Connection Program Conversations
Lonely No More! Story Workshop with the Center for 21st Century Studies
The GSC partnered with the Center for 21st Century Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in a storytelling workshop to reflect on C21’s Lonely No More! Program and the results of their survey on loneliness. The workshop involved C21 faculty in conversation with Social Connection Program participants about how we might illustrate and tell stories about loneliness to connect with others. C21 Director Anne Basting’s “beautiful questions” formula inspired the original Lonely No More! survey. The audio recording made at the end of the session has been included as a performance art piece for C21’s 2022-2023 Lonely No More! Exhibition and can be heard here:
Resources
Tips for Staying Connected
Commit to Connect
engAGED
The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults
Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness
AARP Foundation Connect2Affect
Dealing with Loneliness after 50
The Sixty and Me 2020 Survey Results
Positive Aging Community
In the Press
The Social Connection Project: combating social isolation among seniors
DCHS Blog
Greenwood Senior Center Offers Programs to Increase Social Connection
ADS Seattle and King County
Greenwood Senior Center Project Offers New Programs that Increase Social Connection
Northwest Prime Time
More Senior Programs
Greenwood Senior Center
Memory Loss Program
PNA Village
Support Groups
Contact Information
For more information about the Social Connection Program or to discuss possibilities for collaboration, please contact Teresa Tam, Social Connection Program Coordinator.
About Teresa Tam
Social Connection Program Coordinator Teresa Tam began volunteering with the PNA Village in 2016 and is excited to continue working with the PNA doing community outreach and program development to increase social connection among older adults in our community. She has over a decade of experience in healthcare program evaluation and is passionate about supporting the mental, physical, and emotional health of others as they age. Outside of work, Teresa enjoys spending time with family, friends, and felines; traveling; paddle boarding; and rock hunting.
gro.r1764015738etnec1764015738yenni1764015738hp@ta1764015738seret1764015738
206.531.0061