“SACRI works through community organizing, public education, policy advocacy, and legislative action to address issues such as healthcare access, economic security, transportation, caregiving, housing, and social inclusion.”
Welcome to Ocean State Stories, Carol! To begin, can you give us an overview of the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI)? We’ll get into specifics shortly.
A brief overview of the history of SACRI please.
SACRI started back in 2002 as a successor program of the RI Chapter of the Gray Panthers. SACRI became the lead organization when Panthers disbanded and soon became a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to advancing the rights, dignity, and quality of life for Rhode Island’s older adults and adults with disabilities. Our work is achieved through bold legislative advocacy, rigorous policy research, and inclusive community education & engagement.
We strive to identify and expand and amplify access to critical state, local, and community resources, while championing policies reinforcing healthcare (e.g., focus on safety and policy advancement in long-term care and healthcare workforce development), housing, transportation, consumer protection, and economic well-being. Our work has had a major influence on legislation and the state budget in these areas. Our staff and board are true advocates who work each day to ensure no one is left behind.
SACRI’s work is a powerful mix of an engaged volunteer Board of Directors, member, affiliate member organizations in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, and as part of other coalitions doing similar work. Building trust and relationships is key to the tremendous success of SACRI’s agenda.
What is the coalition’s mission?
The Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for older adults and adults with disabilities in Rhode Island. SACRI works through community organizing, public education, policy advocacy, and legislative action to address issues such as healthcare access, economic security, transportation, caregiving, housing, and social inclusion.
And what are the different services offered under Our Work?
SACRI does not fit into the traditional programmatic non-profit model. We focus on research, lobbying, highlighting new innovations in the aging world and spreading that message through community engagement to those whose boots are on the ground. We do not deliver tangible services or products. Our work focuses on supporting the programmatic agencies and organizations who do the programmatic work. i.e., our policy research, data collection and analysis, and legislative action is what we bring to the table in the aging space. For example, we do not deliver a meal to a shut-in, rather we advocate and work with service providers to ensure adequate funding and enable and support the services to complete the work. We do not provide direct resident services coordination, rather we ensure that the best resources and information are provided to RSC’s to do the best job possible. Similarly, we do not manage senior services, rather we support the senior centers around the state with education, support for funding and provide links to potential new partners to serve more people throughout RI in a robust manner.
Tell us about Voices for Better Health please.
Voices for Better Health (VBH) is a Collaboration of the Senior Agenda Coalition of RI, the Rhode Island Organizing Project, and the Economic Progress Institute. The goal of VBH is to work collaboratively to advocate to build a stronger support system of health and social services for the state’s growing older population to assist them to: (1) maintain their independence and remain living at home and in the community where 80% report they wish to live as long and as healthy as possible and (2) to promote quality care in assisted living residences and nursing facilities for those needing such services due to chronic illnesses and/or needs with assistance of daily living, and/or skilled nursing services and non-skilled home care.
And Policy Change, which involves monitoring and testifying on state legislation.
SACRI has had a successful record in lobbying and policy change. Since its inception the founders were keenly aware that to make change a major focus was to be on the legislative process. This yearly ritual begins right about now, as state agencies file their budgets for the next fiscal year with the Office of Management and Budget. SACRI and the policy team led by Maureen Maigret review those budgets for their impact on older adults and adults with disabilities and begin to formulate advocacy and legislative agenda. As that work progresses, our policy research and dialogue with key people both in and out of government starts in earnest. The legislative session begins in early January and as the session develops and the Governor’s budget bill gets submitted, we along with coalition partners and folks who share our passion about issues, decide which issues, bills, and news to track, and analyze. And each day of the session we coordinate on testimony and advocacy approaches to make the most impact. It is a very busy time.
Currently as SACRI ED I am fortunate to sit on the Special Legislative Commission Pertaining to Services Relating to Older Adult Rhode Islanders, Chaired by Representative Lauren Carson. I am leading a small group of folks as we craft a segment of the Multi Sector Plan on Aging for RI. This is the type of work that can produce positive legislation to address issues facing our growing older population. Being a part of this legislative effort involving an incredible cohort of people to craft a plan which will ultimately impact the next generation of RI’s older adults is humbling and invigorating. The hearings are public as well as televised and I encourage people to participate.
You have a multitude of community partners, including Catholic Social Services of RI, Hope Health, RI Meals on Wheels and many more. How did you get such support?
As the Executive Director from July of 2024, I was handed a wonderful portfolio of partners. It has been my distinct privilege to reach out to each of them to introduce myself and share my passion and the vision of the SACRI Board. I have made a deliberate effort over the past year to reach out in person, usually over coffee to speak and meet and establish new members and to reinforce older relationships by simply listening and talking about shared goals and how we can work together. IMHO post Covid personal in person outreach is my secret weapon. Truth be told, I enjoy every minute of it, and it makes me a much stronger voice and better lobbyist.
SACRI recently held a conference. Can you give us a recap?
The conference planning for 2025 began early this year, as we were assessing Social Security uncertainty, potential threats to Medicaid and Medicare and development of HRI (OBBB). And the only thing we knew was we didn’t know what we didn’t know. Nonprofits, funders, and agencies were shaken, frightened and the times unsettled. So, Navigating Choppy Waters was born. SACRI clearly understood that despite Choppy Waters our goal was to create a Shelter from the Storm, by seizing on our collective will and determination to continue our work to support older adults and adults with disabilities. The conference was our chance to set a tone of unity, conversations, and de-siloing. It also presented the opportunity to create the Inaugural Marjorie Waters Award for Service, honoring the work of Marjorie Waters and recognizing two individuals whose contributions to older adults and adults with disabilities remain remarkable: Ray Gagne and Sister Norma Fleming, RSM. As I write this, we are collecting the post conference survey and so far, the feedback has been an affirmation of our direction and tone.
You also have a strong social media presence on Instagram, Facebook and other platforms. Why is this important?
Simply put, it is where people are now, but more, if we want to reach a younger cohort, we need to be where they interact. Social media and AI will be the new mode of communication, and we must be present on these platforms to reach people about aging issues including policy issues related to long term care, housing, caregiving, end of life planning, financial security, and asset protection. We need to make a clear case to younger generations that you may not be 60+ today, but more than likely you will be soon enough. And chances are, an aging loved one may be facing difficult health challenges or life altering decisions. So, preparation and sharing of resources and information will serve them well. Unfortunately, too often, folks do not know the wealth of resources that may be available to them to ease some of the burdens they face. I would be engaging in malpractice if I did not utilize the tools of outreach literally at my fingertips.
You bring a wealth of experience to SACRI. Can you please elaborate on your background?
It is always awkward to talk about yourself. But here goes. I started my career in state service as an intern in the 70’s with an assignment at the “rusty bucket” now the RI DMV building. I was assigned to the Division of Mental Health and learned much about the ongoing process of deinstitutionalization, which was underway at MHRH (now BHDDH). Tasked with many organizational assignments and also to accompany a State Psychiatrist to do census work in the locked wards, which was life changing for this wide eyed 17-year-old. But it taught me to understand the operation of government and how governing works within a bureaucratic system. Lessons that have served me well in the classroom, the courtroom, the boardroom, a constituent services coordinator and now as an ED for SACRI. I have learned much more from failure than success and bring my Italian American upbringing with me everywhere I go. Which means I still call people unannounced, sharing a coffee is vital to life, texting is passive aggressive, humor is essential, honesty and civility are among the best arrows in my quiver and forgiveness, and apologies are as fulfilling as a glass of water in the desert. I cherish this work and bring the experiences of my life to the table. Be kind, be honest, and don’t forget to laugh at yourself (I do it all the time).
Finally, anything we missed, Carol? Thanks for participating!
Remember ageism is omnipresent and a mechanism to disregard the impact and wisdom of older people. October 9, 2025, is Ageism Awareness Day and the theme is Celebrate Ageing. Challenge Ageism. Don’t succumb to stereotypes and embrace a fulsome understanding of aging, as we’re all on this journey. Consider joining us and keep on keeping on! Peace.
