About

Wisconsin Coalition for Social Connection (WCSC)

What if we could build communities where everyone feels a sense of belonging? Where real connections between people create impactful relationships? Where we all live with meaning and purpose?

The Wisconsin Coalition for Social Connection (WCSC) (previously the Wisconsin Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness) brings community organizations and individuals together to make that happen. The mission of WCSC is to engage diverse partners in reimagining how we can combat the root causes and adverse consequences of social isolation and loneliness among older adults and people with disabilities in our state. Established in 2020, WCSC functions on a collective impact model with the backbone organization being the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA). The coalition includes 19 members actively working to address isolation and loneliness and increase connection. In addition, a network of over 300 people receive news and updates and utilize resources to help address isolation and loneliness in their communities.

To learn more about WCSC, contact connectwi@wihealthyaging.org

Coalition Participation

Network

A wide array of individuals and organizations make up our network. The network stays up-to-date with resources and research and implements strategies in local communities to address isolation and loneliness.

Interested in joining the network?

Sign Up

Coalition

Organizations working together to actively fight isolation and loneliness and increase connection across Wisconsin.

• Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (Coordinating Agency; Founding Organization)

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services – Bureau of Aging & Disability Resources (Founding Organization)

• AARP Wisconsin (Founding Organization)

• Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (Founding Organization)

• UW-Madison – Division of Extension (Founding Organization)

• ADRC of Brown County

• ADRC of Jackson County

• Gundersen Health

• Medical College of Wisconsin

• New Bridge

• SSM Health

• Wauwatosa Health Department

• Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

Coalition Membership (Spring 2024)

• Suzanne Morley, Coordinator, Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA)

• Erin Eggert, Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA)

• Jill Renken, Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA)

• Amber Miller, AARP

• Angela Sullivan, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR)

• Carmen Pangilinan, Wauwatosa Health Department

• Helen Sampson, Department of Health Services (DHS) BADR

• Janet Zander, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR)

• Kaitlin McNamara, WI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

• Kathleen Pater, New Bridge

• KC Cullinan, Department of Health Services (DHS) BADR

• Kristine Burke, Medical College of WI

• Megan McCormick, ADRC of Jackson County

• Megan Timm, SSM Health

• Michelle Erdmann, ADRC of Brown County

• Michelle Gilbertson, Gundersen

• Sally Flaschberger, WI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

• Sara Richie, University of Wisconsin Madison, Division of Extension

• Tim Wellens, Department of Health Services (DHS) BADR

Ad Hoc Committees

Ad Hoc Committees vary and are project-dependent. As of Spring 2024, we have two Ad Hoc Committees:

• Awareness – A committee to plan year-round awareness-raising efforts with special attention to Social Isolation & Loneliness Awareness week in November.

• Measurement & Evaluation – A committee to identify tools to better evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and awareness-raising efforts.

If you’re interested in joining an Ad Hoc Committee, please contact connectwi@wihealthyaging.org