Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing Receives Grant to Increase Staff

The Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing, founded on the belief that technology innovation plays a vital role in enhancing wellbeing, today announced the receipt of a $330,000 grant from the Alhambra Services Corporation to increase the Front Porch Center’s staff. The gift will fund two new positions which will allow the Front Porch Center to expand innovative programs that support the health and wellbeing of older adults, especially among underserved communities.

“This generous impact gift from the Alhambra Services Corporation comes at an exciting moment as the Center expands several innovations and technologies to support aging and independence to serve multiple populations and communities,” said Front Porch Center President Kari Olson. “The additional capacity will enable us to pilot and implement more solutions that will positively impact a greater number of people.”

The Alhambra Services Corporation is a not-for-profit charitable organization established in 2011 to advance affordable housing and promote innovative initiatives and services in the greater community. The corporation was formed following the closure and sale of The Alhambra, a Front Porch retirement community to continue The Alhambra’s philanthropic not-for-profit heritage of meeting needs through its founding parent California Lutheran Homes and sustained through Front Porch.

“Technology advancements have and are continuing to reshape all our lives,” said Mort Swales, board chair, Alhambra Services Corporation. “The Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing is a nationally-recognized innovation leader that has been instrumental in facilitating the development and application of technologies in senior services that is improving life of older adults. The Alhambra Services Corporation is proud to be able to help the Center in that ongoing journey by honoring a request that is consistent with our mission as well.”

The Front Porch Center continues to explore the application of technology in conjunction with home- and community-based services through a growing network of collaborative partnerships. The Front Porch Center has developed a reputable track record of technology research, deployment, and engagement initiatives that leverage the value and resources of community partnerships. For example, in 2012, the Front Porch Center envisioned and launched in partnership with over 20 community organizations its Model eHealth Community for Aging (MeHCA) which has served more than 1,500 vulnerable seniors in the Los Angeles area since its inception with key partners such as St. Barnabas Senior Services. This work continues including the completion of a tele-mental health program and an emerging partnership to integrate technology into a senior wellness program.

Earlier this year, the University of the Pacific was awarded a grant from the California Wellness Foundation to deploy a tele-dentistry demonstration initiative that will provide low-income seniors with first level dental care at Front Porch affordable housing communities and other senior-serving organizations. The Front Porch Center is supporting the pilot and tracking the results.

“In order for the Center to scale and support the development of sustainable models that could be replicated in other communities and form new partnerships, additional staffing is necessary to build the capacity of the Center,” said Davis Park, Front Porch Center director. “We are grateful to the Alhambra Services Corporation in meeting that need.”

About the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing

The Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing is part of Front Porch, one of Southern California’s largest not?for?profit providers of retirement living communities and affordable housing. The Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing strives to harness technology solutions that support and enhance wellbeing in older adults. The Front Porch Center’s core initiatives focus on how technology can: assist in maintaining brain health; enhance social connectedness; promote engagement and growth; empower control over health and wellness; prevent emergencies or serious events; and increase resources and support for formal and informal caregivers. The Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing is a signature program of Front Porch’s Humanly Possiblesm commitment to doing everything humanly possible to creatively meet the needs of those we serve today and in the future. More information can be found at www.fpciw.org.