New Jersey Organizations Applaud Governor Murphy’s
Statewide Age-Friendly Initiative

Statement from the Age-Friendly New Jersey Leadership Summit’s Convening Committee

TRENTON (March 2, 2021) – “We applaud Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement today at the virtual Age-Friendly New Jersey Leadership Summit that he will sign an Executive Order creating an Age-Friendly Advisory Council within the NJ Department of Human Services. This Council is tasked with developing best practices for advancing age-friendly practices across the state.

“Age-friendly refers to how communities support the health and well-being of residents as they experience long lives. Age-friendly communities provide safe, walkable streets, affordable and accessible housing and transportation options, access to needed services, and opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in community life.

“We organized the Age-Friendly New Jersey Leadership Summit to bring current and future leaders together to discuss and prioritize next steps for advancing age-friendly communities through state policy combined with increased local action. There are already strong age-friendly initiatives happening within some of our local communities, and we believe now is the right time to initiate a statewide coordinated effort. We are honored Governor Murphy could join the virtual Summit and announce his commitment to making New Jersey age-friendly.

“We are all aging, every day. We know people are living and working longer, we know they want to remain in their homes and communities, and we know that being age-friendly improves the quality of life for everyone. To really step up and meet the challenge, we will need a kind of transformation in the way communities see themselves – in the way they are planned, designed, and the supports they offer.

“Communities do not become age-friendly by accident. The only way to achieve this kind of transformation is with local and state vision, leadership and coordination to implement the right policies and programs for long-term systemic change.

“We commend the Governor and his administration for recognizing the need to launch this initiative, and we look forward to working together and making New Jersey a great place to grow up, and grow old.

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Age-Friendly New Jersey Leadership Summit’s Convening Committee
The Age-Friendly New Jersey Leadership Summit’s Convening Committee includes Renie Carniol, The Grotta Fund for Senior Care of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest; Andy Fraizer, Community Foundation of South Jersey; Emily Greenfield, Rutgers University School of Social Work; Stephanie Hunsinger, AARP New Jersey; Peter Kasabach and Tanya Rohrbach, New Jersey Future; Julia Stoumbos, The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation; and New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well.