Deb Bibbins, For All Ages
Meet Deb Bibbins, a true champion for connection and the founder of For All Ages. Deb's passion and leadership have brought life-changing intergenerational experiences to communities across Connecticut, tackling one of today's most pressing challenges: loneliness. Did you know that someone dies from loneliness or social disconnectedness every 3 minutes (I didn’t), and over 60% of Americans report feeling lonely? Deb shares how her personal experiences inspired her to found For All Ages in 2019, a heartfelt response to this crisis aimed at inspiring hope and creating change.
In 2024 alone, For All Ages connected 2,682 older adults and young adults, creating an incredible 12,204 hours of intergenerational connection across 89 towns in Connecticut. Through their educational programs, they also empowered 4,764 individuals to know why social health matters. Deb's vision, coupled with her team's dedication, has proven to be transformative - helping people nurture meaningful connections and bridging generational gaps.
Drawing from her rich professional background in law, business, and leadership, Deb brings unparalleled expertise and heart to the nonprofit world. Her efforts with For All Ages and her involvement in nationwide initiatives, like the Commit to Connect Network and USAging's Intergenerational Community of Practice, embody her dedication to improving lives. Join me as we explore Deb's inspiring journey, the mission behind her work, and her commitment to building a connected and kind world.
Deb, tell us who is impacted by the work that you do.
For All Ages is dedicated to connecting the generations and inspiring action to end loneliness, reduce ageism, and improve mental, physical, and social health. We create and facilitate intergenerational programs, engage community members to develop and host events for others in their community, and offer social health literacy programming. So, the short but not-so-simple answer is that everyone is impacted! Loneliness is at an epidemic level, with young adults and older adults experiencing the highest rates, but across the board, 60% of us are feeling lonely. Loneliness is a root cause of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, heart disease, stroke, dementia, gun violence, and domestic violence, among others. We know that positive social connection is a protective factor against loneliness. And so, our work is both preventative and therapeutic, addressing loneliness before it reaches crisis levels while also offering support to those already affected. By fostering relationships across generations, we create meaningful connections that build strong, inclusive communities. Through our intergenerational and social health literacy programs, we provide opportunities for individuals to engage with one another, share experiences, and learn from each other, creating a sense of belonging that is vital for mental and physical well-being. Ultimately, our goal is to build a culture where every individual, no matter their age, feels valued, supported, and connected.
What is your personal connection to this work?
I founded For All Ages in 2019 after watching my father struggle with loneliness in the final years of his life. He was the last of his friends to be alive. As his social circle shrank, he became more isolated and lonely. Seeing him go through such a tough time and then passing away very quickly after losing his brother, deeply affected me. I began researching the impacts of loneliness and found extensive studies on its detrimental effects on mental and physical health. I had been serving on the boards of a few nonprofits in greater Hartford and sought out a nonprofit with a mission related to social connection and loneliness that I could volunteer with, but couldn’t find one. After some soul-searching, I decided to launch For All Ages with the help of long-time friend Gary Sekorski.
While rewarding, purpose-driven work can also require significant energy from us. Do you have a self-care routine that helps you maintain balance?
Yes, I’ve found a few practices that help me maintain balance, though I’d say it’s always a work in progress. Walks with my husband and dog and practicing yoga have become key parts of my routine – these activities help me clear my mind and reduce stress. I also try to eat as healthy as I can by focusing on nutritious, organic foods, and I give myself permission to indulge in a tiny bite of dark chocolate most days because who doesn’t love a sweet treat? At the end of each day, I try to make time to decompress and unwind, whether it’s by enjoying some light reading or simply relaxing. When the weather cooperates, I spend as much time as I can outside. These habits help me decompress and recharge, but I’m always fine-tuning what works best for me as my needs shift.
Has there been a particular challenge in your own life, where looking back now, you realize it was a pivotal moment in your own growth journey?
As a freshman at Southington High School in 1979, I was eager to join the track team, but a girls’ team did not exist. Undeterred, I appealed to the coach and the principal to let me join the boys' team. They agreed, but with one condition: if I could find another girl, I could join the team (they didn’t want me in the girls' locker room alone). I found a teammate, and we joined. The coach then told us that we could practice, but could only compete at a meet if we could run 400 meters in under a minute and beat at least one boy on the team. The two of us trained relentlessly for a few weeks and then competed in a race against boys on the team. I beat the one-minute mark by a few seconds and even finished before two of the boys. The other girl did the same. True to his word, the coach let us compete as Junior Varsity runners that season. (The following year, the high school created its first girls’ track team.) That experience was my first lesson in advocating for myself and others. I discovered the power of persuasion and learned that with hard work and determination, you can create opportunities and make change. It’s a lesson that has stayed with me throughout my life.
Community and mentorship are so important. Is there a particular person or persons from whom you’ve drawn inspiration over the years?
Over the years, I've drawn inspiration from many people – family members, friends, and work colleagues. However, one individual who has profoundly impacted me lived a century before my time: Jane Addams. I first encountered her story as a young person and have since immersed myself in her remarkable contributions. A social reformer and pioneer of the settlement house movement, Addams founded Hull House in the late 1800s to aid immigrants, women, and the impoverished. Her work didn’t stop there; she was a passionate advocate for women’s suffrage, labor rights, and global peace, particularly through her leadership in the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Addams’s efforts played a crucial role in shaping progressive policies and advancing human rights both in the U.S. and abroad. Today, her legacy resonates with me more than ever, as it exemplifies how meaningful change can be forged even in the face of significant social challenges and uncertainty.
What advice would you offer the woman with a whisper in her heart to lean deeper into her power?
The whisper in a woman’s heart is a gentle invitation to reconnect with her truest self, to tap into the wisdom already within her. My advice would be to welcome that quiet voice, trust its guidance, and let it lead her toward a deeper recognition of her life’s purpose. I would encourage her to carve out space for herself, to find moments of stillness to breathe and reflect. In this space, she can listen more intently, allowing her inner strength to grow louder than the distractions of the world around her. I’d also invite her to challenge the beliefs that may limit her, recognizing that true power isn’t always bold or loud; rather, it’s often the quiet, steadfast strength that emerges when we align our actions with our authentic truth. Leaning into her power means trusting that she holds everything she needs within her to face challenges, set boundaries, and rise, even when the way forward feels very uncertain. Lastly, I’d remind her to surround herself with those who lift her up, who celebrate her growth, and who honor her journey. Empowerment flourishes in environments built on mutual respect and support. With patience, courage, and self-compassion, she can find the strength to embrace her power more fully and live from a place of deep alignment.
