Belonging is a basic human need. We all want to feel seen, valued, and connected to something greater than ourselves. As Dubuque looks toward the future, that sense of belonging takes on new importance—because by 2030, every member of the Baby Boomer generation will be between the ages of 65 and 85.
This “Silver Wave” is coming fast, and with it a chance to reimagine how we connect with and care for one another. Our community must begin preparing now to meet the changing needs of aging adults while creating opportunities for them to stay engaged, active, and connected.
Today’s older adults are not slowing down—they are redefining what it means to age. Baby Boomers are independent, tech-savvy, and focused on mind, body, and spirit. They value wellness, lifelong learning, creativity, and community. They want to stay healthy, involved, and purposeful. Meeting those expectations means more than offering care—it means building a community where older adults belong, contribute, and thrive.
Envision 2030: Imagining Dubuque’s Future Together
Many members of the Dubuque community have already participated in Envision 2030, a city-wide initiative led by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce. The project invited residents to share their hopes and ideas for what Dubuque should be by the year 2030. Thousands responded, generating more than 3,000 ideas that ultimately became ten community priorities.
But as any good visionary knows, the real work begins after the planning is done. Envision 2030 is not a finished project—it’s a call to action. Will you answer that call?
Many of the Top 10 priorities align directly with the needs of our aging population. They promote health, wellness, creativity, environmental sustainability, and intergenerational engagement—all essential elements of belonging.
At the heart of every Envision 2030 goal lies a single unifying theme: connection. Whether it’s connection with other people, with nature, with creativity, or with personal wellness goals, each priority emphasizes the importance of building relationships that strengthen the whole community.
As Dubuque begins implementing these ideas, the voices of older adults will be vital. Their wisdom, experience, and perspective help ensure that our plans reflect not only what people need, but what they value. Including older adults in community conversations reinforces a core truth—belonging doesn’t diminish with age; it deepens.
Connection Across Generations
Connection is more than a pleasant idea; it is the foundation of a strong community. When people feel connected, they participate more, volunteer more, and look out for one another. A connected community adapts, supports, and grows.
In Dubuque, that kind of connection shows up every day: neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers leading service projects, and intergenerational programs pairing students with older mentors. As we prepare for 2030, these connections will matter more than ever. They will shape not only how well we respond to change, but how much we flourish because of it.
Connection gives us roots, but it also gives us reach. It links the wisdom of one generation to the energy of another. It allows older adults to share experience while continuing to learn, teach, and explore. When communities invest in connection, they create opportunities for belonging at every stage of life.
The Silver Wave as a Catalyst
The coming decade will challenge and inspire Dubuque in equal measure. The Silver Wave will test our healthcare, housing, transportation, and community infrastructure—but it also brings enormous potential. This generation has a lifetime of skills, creativity, and civic spirit to offer. The key will be creating pathways for them to remain active participants in shaping what comes next.
Imagine the Dubuque of 2030:
- Older adults volunteering alongside students to teach digital skills or share life stories.
- Neighborhood gardens where generations grow food together and share healthy meals.
- Walking trails and fitness spaces designed for accessibility and social interaction.
- Art and music programs where creativity bridges age, culture, and ability.
- Health and wellness initiatives that nurture connection in mind, body, and spirit.
These aren’t far-off dreams—they are within reach when we center connection and belonging in everything we build.
Making Connections Today
While we plan for the future, there are places where connection is already thriving. Stonehill Communities offers opportunities to build relationships now through programs like the Caregiver Resource Center, the Wellness Center, and the Living Well Together initiative. These programs create spaces for older adults, caregivers, and neighbors to learn, grow, and support one another—showing that the sense of belonging we envision for 2030 can start today.
Looking Ahead
The future belongs to communities that prepare thoughtfully and inclusively. Dubuque has always been a city that leads with innovation and compassion and Envision 2030 is our opportunity to continue that tradition.
As we face demographic shifts and new challenges, connection will be our greatest strength. It’s what allows people to feel they belong—and belonging is what turns a city into a community.
Belonging is a human need. Connection is how we meet it. And in Dubuque, both are essential to who we are and who we aspire to be.
Now is the moment to step forward.
Dubuque’s future will be shaped by the choices we make today, how we invest in connection, how we include older adults in community decisions, and how we build a city where people of every age can thrive.
Join a conversation. Volunteer your time. Share your ideas. Support initiatives that strengthen belonging. A connected community doesn’t happen by chance—it happens because people choose to create it together. Let’s begin now.
Tracy Connolly is the Director of Community Relations and Mission Development at Stonehill Communities, with over 15 years of experience working with the aging population in the Dubuque area.
This article was originally published in CHOICES For Fifty Plus, a Dubuque area magazine for people that are 50 and older. Single copies are available at Dubuque area newsstands or click here to read the digital version of the latest issue.
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