The Sarah Ralston Foundation

09/10/2026

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging's 2026 Celebrating Community, Supporting Independence Fall Fundraiser

Proceeds from PCA’s 2026 Celebrating Community, Supporting Independence Fall Fundraiser benefit the Rodney D. Williams Philadelphia Fund for Seniors, which supports the vital, basic services that PCA provides to help older adults maintain their maximum levels of health and productivity, and age in place in the community.

The event will feature an original poetry reading by Raina J. Leon, Poet Laureate of Philadelphia, remarks from Reverend Carolyn C. Cavaness of Mother Bethel AME Church, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction.

Your contributions and support allow us to expand our reach, even during times of crisis and limited funding. Here’s to optimism and urgency in the face of challenging times. We are grateful for the trust and collaboration of our community, partners, and staff and we look forward to sharing this joyful event with you.

Location: Cicala at the Divine Lorraine
699 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm

Learn more:

09/09/2026

Medicaid Changes: New Outreach Toolkit Available


Beginning in January 2027, some Pennsylvanians enrolled in Medicaid will face new work requirements and more frequent eligibility renewals. To help organizations prepare the people they serve, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has created a communications toolkit with ready-to-use information, graphics, outreach language, FAQs, and guidance on exemptions and reporting requirements. 


The toolkit is designed to help partners share accurate information early so Medicaid recipients understand what is changing, what actions they may need to take, and how to avoid an unnecessary loss of coverage.

Learn more:

Medicaid Toolkit

09/08/2026

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging is hosting a Grandparents Day Celebration!
September 13th from 1:00 - 4:00 

For grandparents and grandchildren ages 4–16, presented by UnitedHealthcare. This event will take place in PCA’s parking lot, adjacent to 642 North Broad Street.

Free Admission with a (printed, 8.5″ x 11″) kid‑friendly recipe
Free Grocery Bag + Family “Cookbook” of collected recipes
Information & Resources for Intergenerational Families
Food, Fun, and Activities for All Ages
Free Parking – located on North Street between North Broad & 15th Streets

Learn more:

For grandparents and grandchildren ages 4–16, presented by UnitedHealthcare. This event will take place in PCA’s parking lot, adjacent to 642 North Broad Street.

09/08/2026

Latino Advisory Council Meeting

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Connecting the Latino Community to Resources and Services

Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Casa Indiana: 2935 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133

Join us to learn about programs and services from Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, (APM), Mi Salud Wellness Center, and the National Association for Hispanic Elderly, (NAFHE).

Register by September 7, 2026
Call: (215) 995-4373
Email: [email protected]

09/08/2026

Exploring Careers in Aging

GenPhilly will host a Careers in Aging Panel on September 30 at Drexel University, bringing together professionals from across the aging sector to share their career journeys and experiences with local college students.

The event is designed to help students learn more about the many career paths available in aging services and encourage a new generation of professionals to consider work in the field. Dr. DiMaria Ghalili of Drexel University will moderate the panel.

September 30 | 3–5 PM | Drexel

08/26/2026

What happens when innovation means being willing to start over?

With support from the Sarah Ralston Foundation, Generations on Line set out to explore how older adults—especially those with limited digital experience—could safely and confidently use conversational AI.

The answer wasn’t simply to build a tool. It was to listen, test, revise, and sometimes start over entirely.

The result is IMA, an age-friendly AI experience shaped by older adults themselves, with accessibility, safety, and practical usefulness at the center. Early results are encouraging: interest in AI rose from 67% before participation to 94% afterward.

Generations on Line

Read the full story:

Aug122026 By Claire Lynch When artificial intelligence began moving rapidly into everyday life, Tobey Dichter saw both possibility and risk. As founder and CEO of Generations on Line, an organization that has spent decades helping older adults build confidence with technology, Dichter was already th...

07/16/2026

New on The Sarah Ralston Foundation blog: The Philadelphia Model

Older adults living with serious mental illness often face complex needs that do not fit neatly into one system of care. Traditional behavioral health programs may not be equipped to meet their long-term medical needs, while nursing homes may struggle to provide the behavioral health support they require.

The Philadelphia Model is helping bridge that gap.

This innovative approach brings behavioral health support into long-term care settings, helping vulnerable older adults access more stable, coordinated, and compassionate care.

Read more about this collaborative model — and why it matters for the future of aging services in Pennsylvania and beyond:

Jul82026 As Pennsylvania’s population ages, a growing number of older adults are facing a challenge that few people see—and even fewer systems are equipped to address.For individuals living with serious mental illness, aging often brings increasing physical health needs, functional limitations, ...

06/22/2026

Thank you, PCA, for sharing this important information.

SNAP benefits are a vital lifeline for many low-income families, helping them get the groceries they need to feed their households. But millions are now losing access to SNAP benefits due to radical cuts specified in President Trump's so-called "Big Beautiful Bill." Sara Naomi Bleich, Professor of P...

06/17/2026

Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity

Food security. Housing stability. Access to services. Reliable support during times of crisis.

Many of this year's General Operating Support grants help organizations address the essential needs that allow older adults to remain safe, healthy, and independent.

From home-delivered meals and food access programs to housing counseling, benefits assistance, and crisis intervention services, these organizations provide critical support for older Philadelphians facing economic and social challenges.
We are proud to partner with nonprofits working every day to ensure older adults can age with dignity and security.

Read more about this year's grantees.

The Sarah Ralston Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2026 General Operating Support Grant Program, awarding $979,500 to 58 nonprofit organizations serving older adults throughout Philadelphia. These grants support a diverse network of organizations working every day to help olde...

06/15/2026

Welcoming New Partners to the SRF Network

We are pleased to welcome twelve organizations receiving General Operating Support funding from The Sarah Ralston Foundation for the first time in 2026:

• Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia
• Curio Theatre Company
• Food Connect
• Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry
• Karen Community Association of Philadelphia
• Korean Community Development Services Center
• Liberty Lutheran
• Perfect Pair
• Philadelphia Senior Center II
• SavannahCare Simple Senior Solutions
• Tango Therapy Project
• Whosoever Gospel Mission

These organizations reflect the diversity, creativity, and commitment that strengthen Philadelphia's aging services network. We look forward to learning from them, connecting them with peers, and exploring opportunities for collaboration in the years ahead.

Learn more about this year's grantees:

The Sarah Ralston Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2026 General Operating Support Grant Program, awarding $979,500 to 58 nonprofit organizations serving older adults throughout Philadelphia. These grants support a diverse network of organizations working every day to help olde...