Life: Act 2 is a pro-active response to the opportunities and challenges an exploding senior population will bring to this community. In 1999, United Way of Northeast Florida's Board of Trustees authorized the formation of an Assessment Task Force, comprised of United Way volunteer leaders. They were charged to research 45 community issues and 18 target populations, which they did with the help of the Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. The team concluded that United Way should develop a long-term focus on "Senior Independent Living and Quality of Life." In April of 2002, United Way launched its senior initiative which became known as Life: Act 2 the following year.

According to social analysts, Northeast Florida's senior population is expected to grow by 66 percent in the next fifteen years. This population boom will bring with it exciting opportunities, but also challenges with regard to the increased demand for services. To stimulate awareness about and collaboration on preparing for these issues before they become critical, United Way proposed, and currently leads, the Northeast Florida Life: Act 2 Partnership Council. This council is comprised of public, private, and corporate funders of senior services.

The work that these collaborative partners are leading will positively change the community landscape for seniors across the First Coast region and our community's perspective on aging. By tackling the following three goals, United Way advances our work with Senior Independence and Engagement:

1. To elicit a culture shift in the way the Northeast Florida community views and values seniors.
2. To integrate medical admission and discharge processes with our community's social service system.
3. To strengthen the continuum of services available to our community's seniors.