NISC Programs of Excellence 

• Year Awarded: 2025
• Programs of Excellence Name: Speed Friending
• Hosting Organization: Town of Cary, North Carolina
• Cary Population: 191,000
• 60+ Population: 26,740
• Senior Center Members:  16,463

About Speed Friending

In 2024, an aide at the Senior Center suggested offering a new an innovative program called "Speed friending". Modeled after the popular "Speed-dating" format, this initiative instead focuses on fostering friendships, rather than romance. It has been very successful since being introduced and has not only become a part of the regular programming schedule at the Cary Senior Center, but has been adopted by other senior centers across North Carolina, as well.

Key takeaways from Speed Friending:

• The program highlighted the importance of social connections and provided an easy format for making new friendships in a low pressure environment.
• Program participants were excited about the program and the feedback was positive.
• Developing social connections has important benefits to the overall health and wellness of older adults. Cary's Senior Center is committed to finding new ways to encourage and develop social connections among our community.

About the Town of Cary

The Cary Senior Center annually welcomes 50,000 visitors and offers 500+ programs for older adults, serving a diverse population that includes Cary residents and those in surrounding areas. The Cary Senior Center has been recognized on the state level by the NC Department of Aging as a "Center of Excellence" since 2008.