Sisters, Oregon is a small city located at the base of the Cascade Mountains, the gateway to Oregon’s High Desert. While our in-city population is 2700 , the larger community of Sisters Country supports a dispersed population of approx. 10,000 people who have chosen to settle where small town values flourish. The nearest large town, Bend, is 25 miles away and has 95,000 residents. The population of Sisters Country is the fastest growing in Oregon, in significant part due to its reputation as a desirable retirement area. Data in 2016 indicates the 65+population over 27 percent. In 2017, local aging residents held a series of meetings to explore the gaps that currently exist in services for seniors. Many current residents want to stay in Sisters Country for the long term, but it is clear from our research that the lack of transportation options, affordable housing shortages and limited access to health care services often require that people move to larger metropolitan areas to access services or be closer to younger family members. After identifying the major service gaps, Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC) was formed. A 501c3 nonprofit, AFSC’s mission is to actively support the work of community members of all ages who wish to see Age Friendly policies adopted and implemented. Currently, Sisters offers its aging adult residents an array of services that help them participate as active community members. The programs outlined here target: health and safety of aging area residents; social participation, respect and social inclusion; and access to outdoor spaces and mobility. 1. The SAGE room (Senior Activities, Gatherings, and Enrichments) at the Coffield Center provides a meeting space and activity center that offers exercise classes, ping pong, games, art and music enrichment. There is a senior resource library and during monthly drop-in days, local service providers offer counseling on aging in place. *AFSC is currently working with Sisters Parks and Rec (SPRD) to secure funding for a new vehicle. Using the Coffield Center as a transportation hub, this van will provide regular in-town transportation to shopping, the post office, the Library and medical offices. 2. Sisters does not have an Urgent Care facility so our local fire department fills an important need. FireCorps volunteers provide regular blood pressure checks, and smoke alarm installation and battery checks and replacement. They also offer home safety checks to minimize falls and educate on the importance of wildfire/emergency preparedness. EMT’s are on call 24/7 to assist in health emergencies. *Establishing an Urgent Care facility has been identified as a major community goal. Discussions are underway with regional health care providers, the County and community leaders to find a way to re-purpose some existing, but underutilized medical office space to provide Urgent Care on weekends. 3. AFSC (Age Friendly Sisters Country) sponsors community suicide prevention training seminars. Oregon has the 16th highest suicide rate in the nation. Suicides 65+ are increasing at an alarming rate with the highest risk among men over 75. The OPR method (Question, Persuade, Refer) is professionally facilitated and seminars are available free of charge to anyone who wants to learn the warning signs of suicide and develop successful intervention skills. Outreach to targeted groups, particularly veterans and home healthcare providers , is ongoing. *Recent suicides of two local high school graduates have focused attention of this painful and often hidden tragedy. A local support group, “Fortitude”, is launching a suicide prevention program that will train students to be peer leaders and create a safe messaging campaign around hope and help. Fortitude want everyone “from 3 to 93” engaged in efforts to prevent suicide and raise awareness. 4. Creekside Park is a busy year-round venue for community events and recreation, but the ADA restroom is located on the other side of Whychus Creek in Creekside Campground, accessible over an historic covered bridge. The City of Sisters has approved $12,000 from City funds to build new ADA ramps to the bridge, providing expanded access to these public parks for seniors and others with mobility challenges. Construction will be completed by October 2019.