Our Story
Grace Blanket was founded in 2017 in San Diego, California, with a simple observation: evidence-based wellness programs exist, government funding exists, and community studios exist — but they weren't connected.
The Gap We Saw
Federal programs like the Administration for Community Living's Title III-D fund falls prevention and health promotion for older adults. Decades of peer-reviewed research prove that programs like Tai Chi for Arthritis, EnhanceFitness, A Matter of Balance, and Stepping On reduce falls by 30-55%, improve balance and strength, and lower healthcare costs.
Yet in most communities, older adults can't access these programs.
Why the disconnect?
Community studios — yoga centers, fitness facilities, martial arts academies, dance studios — exist in nearly every neighborhood. They have the space, the instructors, and often the desire to serve their community. But they face barriers:
- ✗They don't know evidence-based programs exist. Most fitness professionals have never heard of ACL-approved curricula.
- ✗Instructors aren't trained. Evidence-based programs require specific certification to maintain fidelity to the research.
- ✗No one tracks outcomes. Funders require measurable results — falls reduction, balance improvement, healthcare cost savings. Studios don't have the infrastructure.
- ✗Compliance is overwhelming. Grant reporting, participant assessments, data collection — it's too much for a small studio to manage alone.
Our Solution
Grace Blanket fills this gap.
We certify community studios to deliver structured, evidence-based wellness programs designed specifically for older adults. We provide:
Program Curricula
ACL-approved, peer-reviewed, proven effective
Instructor Training
Official certification from program developers
Quality Monitoring
Fidelity checks to ensure programs match the research
Outcomes Tracking
Pre/post assessments, falls incidence, satisfaction
Funder Reporting
Quarterly and annual reports that meet government requirements
Studios focus on what they do best — creating welcoming spaces and teaching great classes. Grace Blanket handles the infrastructure that makes it all fundable.
Why It Matters
The Problem
#1
Leading cause of injury death for adults 65+
1 in 4
Older adults fall each year
$30K+
Average cost of a hip fracture
The Evidence
But falls are preventable. The evidence is clear:
30-55%
Reduction in falls from structured exercise programs
$1,200+
Annual healthcare savings per active participant
The programs exist. The research is done. The funding is available.
What's been missing is the bridge between the evidence and the community.
Grace Blanket is that bridge.
Our Timeline
Grace Blanket incorporated as 501(c)(3) in San Diego, California
Research, planning, and organizational development
Website rebuild with comprehensive funder-ready content
Launching certified studio network in San Diego County
Planned expansion to Orange and Riverside counties
Looking Ahead
Our vision is a future where every older adult has access to a certified wellness program within their community — where participating in evidence-based health promotion is as natural and accessible as visiting the local library.
We're starting in San Diego. But the model is designed to scale. Community studios exist everywhere. Government funding for senior wellness exists in every state. The evidence base applies universally.
If we can make it work here, we can make it work anywhere.
Join Us in Building the Bridge
Whether you're a funder looking to support evidence-based programs, a studio interested in joining our network, or someone who wants to help older adults in your community — there's a role for you.