The Town of West Hartford was honored with the Wellspring Award by Connecticut Age Well Collaborative for ‘Fostering Inclusive Communities for Every Age, Every Ability.’

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The Town of West Hartford has received the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative’s 2025 Wellspring Award for fostering community inclusivity for every age and every ability.

West Hartford was one of Connecticut’s first municipalities to host a “Daring Dialogue.” This Age Well Collaborative-designed community workshop brings together community members and local leaders to challenge assumptions about ageing and disability and explore how our biases influence our thoughts and actions. West Hartford is among three Connecticut towns, along with Wethersfield and Newtown, that will be recognized at a celebration in June.

The Town of West Hartford’s participation in the Daring Dialogue program reflects the town’s values and mission. Over 20 participants, including residents, town leaders, and elected officials, were present to share their lived experiences and discuss ways that we, as a town, can engage and better serve our aging and disabled community members. The session further signaled our commitment to ensuring all our residents feel seen, heard, and supported.

“Being able to host a Daring Dialogue was a meaningful experience for everyone. Putting your words into action, as the town has done, proves that West Hartford is a town for everyone and that our leaders and community members are willing to work together to ensure our town continues to create spaces for dialogue that are solution-driven. I’m thankful to work and live in a community that shows up,” said Adrienne Billings-Smith, manager of Employee Development and Community Engagement.

The Connecticut Age Well Collaborative, an initiative of Connecticut Community Care (CCC), is a statewide, cross-sector initiative to foster communities for every age and every ability. The Collaborative’s Wellspring Awards are framed around the idea that Connecticut is a wellspring of innovation and inspiration.

“Fostering more inclusive places doesn’t just help Connecticut residents who are already aging or living with a disability. It helps all of us, both for our future selves and right now, with more just, equitable communities for everyone,” said Alyssa Norwood, director of the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative. “This year’s Wellspring Award recipients are incredible thought leaders.”

Delegated by the Connecticut legislative Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity, the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative leads the state’s livable communities initiative, per Section 17b-420a of the Connecticut General Statutes. Livable communities are inclusive, vibrant, intergenerational places where we all can thrive across the lifespan.

The Connecticut Age Well Collaborative is strongly supported by the Point32Health Foundation, the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services, and a growing number of funders.

CCC, dedicated to helping people live their best lives at home in the community, founded the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative in 2020, with the understanding that thriving at home requires our communities to be prepared to support residents across their lifespan.

For more information, visit ctagewellcollaborative.org.

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