Welcome

Convened in 1988, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for Aging (SWPPA) is a volunteer-led organization with more than 300 members representing more than one million older adults across 10 counties of Southwestern Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Our members include organizations and businesses, as well as individual members such as civic leaders, business owners, medical professionals, scholars, professionals in aging services, students and residents of all ages.

We act as a catalyst to promote policy, program and systems change that improves quality of life for all people, particularly for our oldest generations. We provide a neutral forum for collaboration, education, networking and advocacy.

We offer both individual and organizational/business memberships. We engage our members through education, training, advocacy, networking and collaborative efforts. Members are invited to serve on one or more of our committees. Visit our Membership page to learn more about membership and sign up to join us!

Thank you to everyone who joined us to honor our 2026 awardees! Your presence and support made the event truly special. We are incredibly grateful to all the attendees, participants, and contributors who helped make this Awards Luncheon a success. Congratulations to our remarkable awardees for their outstanding achievements. Together, we continue to build a vibrant and supportive community. Thank you for being a part of our journey!

Lifetime Achievement

John R. Dickson IV, began his career with National Church Residences and later held leadership roles with United Church Homes and Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services, where he led the development of eleven senior living communities.
He joined Redstone in 2001 during a period of significant challenge, guiding the organization through stabilization, growth, and expansion, including the development of two new campuses and the launch of Redstone@Home and 5 Star Staffing. Under his leadership, Redstone earned recognition for innovation and workplace excellence.
Dickson has been an active leader in the field, serving on the LeadingAge PA Board (including as Chairman) and receiving numerous honors, including the Distinguished Service Award, Advocacy Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award.
He remains engaged in his community through leadership and service roles. Dickson will retire in July 2025 after a distinguished career in aging services.

Front-Line Caregiver Award

Tim Mitchell shows a remarkable level of empathy, creating meaningful connections with patients and their families. His attention to detail and patient-centered care ensures that every individual feels valued and heard. It is this dedication to both quality care and personal connections that makes Tim a key to our success. He is positive and takes pride in the work that he does for his residents and co-workers. He possesses the rare gift of making each patient feel heard, respected, and cared for. There are countless instances where Tim Mitchell has gone the extra mile to ensure the comfort and well-being of our patients, often going above and beyond his job description to meet individual needs.

Age-Friendly Leadership Award

Justin LeWinter has a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and Park Management, and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education.
He has been the leader of Adult Engagement Services at Macedonia FACE for five years. Justin brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, focusing on supporting older adults aging in place. He has led initiatives addressing social determinants of health, including digital literacy, senior isolation, and access to services. His work helped designate the Hill District as an Age-Friendly Neighborhood, securing funding for intergenerational projects. He has collaborated with local and state agencies, presented on digital inclusion, and serves on advisory councils. With expertise in building partnerships and navigating complex service systems, Justin is committed to strengthening information and assistance networks to improve outcomes for older adults and their communities.