Corazón Latino wins 2026 Innovation Grant for dementia program

Corazón Latino received a 2026 Innovation Grant from the I'm Still Here Foundation to launch Raíces en Movimiento, a community program for people living with dementia in Washington, D.C., and Orlando. The project uses music, movement and nature to support connection, dignity and reduced isolation.

Why it matters: - Corazón Latino's new program is aimed at people living with dementia, their care partners and intergenerational participants. - The project is designed to reduce social isolation and support joy, belonging and dignity through non-pharmacologic engagement. - The grant adds seed funding and mentorship to help launch a model that could be expanded beyond the initial regions.

What happened: - Corazón Latino received a 2026 Innovation Grant from the I'm Still Here Foundation. - The award supports Raíces en Movimiento, a program built around live music, movement and nature experiences. - The program will operate in parks and community green spaces across the Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Fla., regions. - Corazón Latino was one of seven organizations selected nationwide for the I'm Still Here Foundation's 2026-2027 Innovation Grant cycle. - The organization was chosen from a competitive national applicant pool.

The details: - Raíces en Movimiento is rooted in Latino culture. - The program is designed to foster authentic engagement among people living with dementia and their care partners. - Participants will be able to connect with one another through arts and nature-based activities. - Corazón Latino says the project will create opportunities for participants to remain active, creative and engaged. - The grant includes mentorship and guidance from the I'm Still Here Foundation. - The foundation also shares research-backed best practices with grantees. - Corazón Latino links its broader mission to connecting underserved communities with nature, conservation and culture through educational, environmental and artistic initiatives. - More information is available at Corazón Latino. - The I'm Still Here Foundation was founded in 1995 by Dr. John Zeisel. - The foundation works with Hopeful Aging LLC, a National Institutes of Health-funded nonprofit founded by Zeisel. - More information is available at the I'm Still Here Foundation.

Between the lines: - The grant reflects growing interest in programs that use arts and nature to support dementia care outside traditional medical settings. - The foundation's focus on strengths, abilities and opportunities signals a shift away from deficit-based approaches. - Corazón Latino's plan to test the model in two regions may help show whether the approach can travel to other communities.

What's next: - Corazón Latino will launch and test Raíces en Movimiento with participants in Washington, D.C., and Orlando. - The organization plans to learn from the communities it serves and explore expansion to other places. - The I'm Still Here Foundation will continue mentoring grantees and promoting successful approaches across its network.

The bottom line: - Corazón Latino is using a new grant to bring music, movement and nature into dementia support, with an eye toward dignity, connection and potential scale.