Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Connection (SILC) State of the US Ecosystem Webinar

The Foundation for Social Connection launched the US Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Connection (SILC) Ecosystem Map and the inaugural ‘State of the US Ecosystem’ report, two complementary resources designed to shed light on the diverse landscape of entities advancing social connection. This webinar introduces participants to the US. SILC Ecosystem Map, a dynamic, multidimensional tool that visualizes entities across sectors, geographies, roles, and more. We walked through how the map can be used to identify potential partners, surface gaps, and support more coordinated efforts to foster social connection. The webinar also highlights key findings from the ‘State of the US Ecosystem’ report, which draws on survey responses from more than 60 entities working across the US SILC landscape and captures findings on the ecosystem’s strengths, challenges, and needs. A moderated fireside chat with leaders representing diverse perspectives across the ecosystem brings these insights to life and explores what they mean for research, policy, and practice. These include: Luke Wall, Executive Director, Only 7 Seconds Erika Thomas, Director of Social Connections, Samaritan (convenor of the Social Isolation, Loneliness & Connection Collaborative) Dr. Carla Perissinotto, Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco; F4SC Scientific Leadership Council Vice-Chair; NorCal Coalition for Social Connection co-lead The session concluded with a Q&A and clear calls to action, inviting participants to reflect on their role in the ecosystem and identify concrete opportunities for collaboration. Through the map and report, you can learn about where efforts are concentrated, where challenges persist, and where critical gaps remain. Whether you’re a practitioner, policymaker, or funder, join us to better understand the current state of the US SILC ecosystem and to connect with others working to build a more connected nation.