This year NewBridge Madison is celebrating our 50th anniversary of service to older adults in the community! We estimate over 400,000 people have benefited from attending our activities and services. Come join us on April 10, 3–7 pm, at Olbrich Gardens for our 50th Anniversary community celebration. Please RSVP at info@newbridge.org if you wish to attend.
The idea for creating nonprofit agencies to serve older adults came about in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Groups of individuals aged 60 and older would get together a few times each month at their church to play cards or engage in some kind of social activity and enjoy a meal together. It was realized a good number of these individuals needed additional assistance, including help accessing resources beyond what churches could provide.
In the mid-1970’s leaders from Dane County, Madison and the churches established four nonprofit senior coalitions and located one on each side of the city. These agencies all coordinated additional activities, served meals every weekday, and provided case management services for those in their service area who needed assistance with transportation, in-home care, accessing benefits and much more.
The need for these services has increased substantially over the years as the aging population has grown. In 2019, with so many nonprofit agencies in Dane County competing for limited funding, the four senior coalitions merged to become NewBridge.
Social isolation is a major concern among the older adult population. Over the next decade, a major focus of our agency is to reach those who are isolated and help them become engaged in the community. We have a special “$50 for 50 Years” fundraising campaign going on this year. If you would like to help support the critical services provided by NewBridge, you can donate at newbridgemadison.org. Thank you for your generosity!
