Lombard, IL – A northeastern Illinois nonprofit that serves older adults across eight counties has earned national recognition for an innovative program designed to help employers strengthen their workforce while expanding job opportunities for older adults.
According to USAging and AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, the organization’s Age-Friendly Workplaces: Unlocking Potential by Moving from Aging in Place to Aging with Purpose initiative received a 2026 USAging Aging Innovations Award during the association’s 51st Annual Conference and Tradeshow, held July 18-21 in San Diego.
The award is one of the highest honors presented by USAging and recognizes Area Agencies on Aging and Title VI Native American Aging Programs that develop innovative approaches to supporting older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers.
AgeGuide’s program was developed in partnership with the University of Iowa’s Age-Inclusive Management Strategies (AIMS) team. The initiative provides employers with practical tools to recruit, retain and support older workers while promoting age-inclusive workplace practices without requiring additional funding.
Resources include recruitment templates, management guides and workforce self-assessments that help organizations identify strengths and opportunities to improve workplace culture.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this national recognition from USAging for a program that addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing employers today, the workforce,” AgeGuide CEO Marla Fronczak said in a statement. She added that the initiative helps organizations benefit from the experience and skills older adults bring to the workforce while creating meaningful employment opportunities.
AgeGuide serves DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. The nonprofit coordinates services, advocates for older adults and works with community partners to support aging residents throughout northeastern Illinois.
USAging presented 16 Aging Innovations Awards and 33 Achievement Awards nationwide this year, recognizing programs in areas including workforce development, healthy aging, transportation, housing and caregiving.
