The Challenge

Mission and Vision

Impact Statement

Evidence of Success

Social isolation and loneliness take a toll on individuals, leading to poorer health outcomes, higher rates of mortality, and higher healthcare costs. Social connection, or lack of social connection, is a social determinant of health that influences physical, mental, and emotional health outcomes. A lack of social connection has been compared to the health impact of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

In Sacramento, these issues are particularly prevalent among older adults and marginalized communities.

Our mission is to alleviate social isolation and loneliness in Sacramento by fostering meaningful social connections and community engagement. We envision a connected Sacramento where every individual feels valued, supported, and integrated into the community.

Our programs aim to reduce social isolation by creating opportunities for social interaction, providing resources to build social skills, and connecting individuals with community services. By addressing these issues, we strive to improve mental and physical health outcomes, enhance quality of life, and build a more cohesive community.

While we are a new organization, evidence from similar initiatives demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted interventions. For instance, the Senior Reach program identifies older adults at risk of social isolation and connects them with resources, promoting dignity and independence (Council of State Governments).

29%

Reduced risk of premature death

Loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of premature death by 26% and 29% respectively (Harvard Chan School of Public Health). The effect on mortality has been compared to smoking 15 cigarettes as day.

23%

Increase in profitability

Among businesses with highly-engaged employees. And, 20% of the world’s employees experience daily loneliness, particularly higher among remote workers (Gallup “State of the Global Workplace: 2024” Report).

$6.7B

Saved in medicare costs

Reducing social isolation among older adults could save $6.7 billion annually in Medicare costs by improving health outcomes and reducing hospitalizations (AARP).