Our History

Past RRF Initiatives

• 1985: The Personal Autonomy in Long-Term Care initiative examined the ethical dimensions of long-term care, bringing about changes in practice and policy, and identifying new areas for further research.
• 1984-1998: The National Media Awards program encouraged excellence and accuracy in productions on aging and aging issues.
• 1988: The Community Awards Program (ENCORE) in Greater Chicago was launched to identify and reward exemplary programs conducted by churches, community organizations, and social-service agencies, and to encourage their replication.
• 1998: The Organizational Capacity Building program was launched to help nonprofit organizations make long-term improvements in their management and governance to help sustain services to older people.
• 1993-2006: The Congregation Connection Program increased the capacity of Chicago-area religious congregations to meet the physical and mental well-being needs of aging individuals.
• 2003-2015: The Accessible Faith Program was initiated to help Chicago-area congregations make physical improvements that enable greater participation by older people.
• 2006: The Mental Health Training Initiative funded the development and dissemination of tools to help rehabilitation and home-health professionals address depression in older patients.
• 2011: The National POLST Program Initiative expanded a movement to ensure that the treatment preferences of older persons with life-limiting illnesses are honored.
• 2011-2014: The Economic Security Initiative developed and launched tools to help vulnerable older people achieve greater economic stability.