Generations This Week

Last night President Obama's message was clear: "We the People...Our Constitution begins with those three simple words," he explained, "words we've come to recognize mean all the people, not just some; words that insist we rise and fall together."

Generations United agrees. This inclusive preamble speaks to how the lives of Americans - young, old and in between - are inextricably linked. And together, he explained we face "a time of extraordinary change that's reshaping the way we live, the way we work, our planet and our place in the world." Read the full statement on our Together Blog.

Last Call! Apply to the Best Intergenerational Community Awards by Jan. 15th
There's no place like home - especially if you live in a community that offers opportunities for every generation. Sound like your community? Then apply today for the 2016 Best Intergenerational Communities Awards , sponsored by MetLife Foundation and Generations United. No community is too big or too small. The award winning communities will be publicly recognized at an Intergenerational Communities Briefing in Washington, DC, in Spring 2016, including visits with their members of Congress. Learn more, then download the application.

Valuing Vaccines Across Generations

Generations United just launched a new awareness campaign - Valuing Vaccines Across the Generations - encouraging people of all ages to talk more and do more about getting the vaccinations needed to build healthy communities for all generations. Generations United is beginning by partnering with The Gerontological Society of America which will provide expert content and avenues for distribution.The campaign is supported by Pfizer.To learn more, check out the press release and Huffington Post blog.

Age Is an Asset: Let's Use It

In a new blog post for Next Avenue , Donna Butts emphasizes that it's not enough just to "wake up and smell the demographics" of an aging society. To create a world in which we all want to live as we get older, we must break down the walls that prevent collaboration across generations. Read the full blog for tips on how to steer the conversation from burden to benefit.

A Star is Born!

In October, Curelle, a second grader involved in our Grand Partners in Education (PIE) Project, was invited to present her award-winning portrayal of Ruby Bridges for Baltimore City's Mayor and the Parent and Community Advisory Board. Curelle is an example of how strong family engagement- including grandparents- opens doors for future generations. Many thanks to W.K. Kellogg Foundation for capturing it on video! Watch the video and learn more about the PIE project.

New Website for Focal Point on the Family

Focal Point on the Family is an initiative of the United Nation's Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD). Their goal is to build an awareness of the global situation of families and promote family-oriented policies and programs. Check out their new website to learn more, including publications, upcoming events, and other information on key issues.

Culture United

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn't he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty-and fun-in their routine and the world around them.

This book won the 2016 John Newberry Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature.

In a March 2015 interview with NPR, author Matt de la Pena shared his reflections on the important role of grandmothers, which is reflected in his book. "Kids are inundated with so many advertisements of things that they 'should' have," de la Peña says. "And they develop this idea of like 'I want, I want, I want.' ... I felt like the grandmother was such a great vehicle for: 'But you have, you have, you have.' " Learn more

Do you know of any films, books, music and TV shows with an intergenerational theme? Share them with us and we'll share in the weeks and months to come. See disclaimer.

A Huge Thanks to Our Members and Supporters

Generations United thanks our members and supporters. Together, we are building a world that values all generations! You can also contribute and/or honor a friend or loved one with a Tribute Gift to Generations United. Donate to help us unleash the potential of an "age-amped" society.

Cool Ideas

Leaders for Leaders at UNC-Ashville

This week's Cool Idea is Leaders for Leaders, an intergenerational mentoring program at the University of North Carolina-Asheville. The program pairs student athletes with members of the university's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and other community volunteers who share impartial advice about careers and help the students to form connections in their chosen fields. Mentors also benefit from their mentees' energy and enthusiasm, reporting that they learn from each other and are proud to be giving young people a leg up.

Got something cool you tried that was successful? Why not tweet your cool intergenerational ideas to #cooligideas ? You can also post them to our Intergenerational Connections Facebook Group. We want to highlight innovative age-optimized programs and practices through our blog, social media and weekly e-newsletter! Share the inspiration . Learn more about Storied Lives .

Think Intergenerational - Funding Opportunities

Responsive Grant. The Retirement Research Foundation is accepting request for proposals for efforts that increase the competency of professionals and paraprofessionals who serve older adults. Deadline: Feb. 1, 2016. Learn more

National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Awards. The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is accepting applications from a fter-school and out-of-school time arts and humanities programs.The twelve award-winning programs this year will each receive $10,000 and an invitation to accept their award from the President's Committee's Honorary Chairman, First Lady Michelle Obama, at a ceremony at the White House. Deadline: Feb. 2, 2016. Learn more

Veteran Housing Grant. The Home Depot Foundation's Veteran Housing Grants Program awards grants to nonprofit organizations for the development and repair of veterans housing. Awards typically range from $100,000 to $500,000. Deadline: Feb. 24, 2016. Learn more

If you have - or know of - any intergenerational funding opportunities, please send them to [email protected].

Great Resources

Research

Achieving Kindergarten Readiness for All Our Children: A Funder's Guide to Early Childhood Development from Birth to Five. This new guide from the Pritzker Children's Initiative and The Bridgespan Group outlines numerous specific, tested, early childhood investment opportunities that both public and private sector investors can make immediately to help more children be ready for kindergarten and lifelong success. Learn more

MLK Day Intergenerational Activities & Ideas. Bridges Together has created a new programming page, filled with intergenerational activities and ideas for teaching (and learning!) about Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Learn more

2015 White House Conference on Aging Report.

President Obama hosted the sixth White House Conference on Aging on July 13 , creating a national conversation to inform the changing aging landscape in America. This report summarizes the accomplishments of the past year as well as the collective insight as we look to the future. Learn more

State of Grandfamilies in America: 2015. In this second edition of the annual State of Grandfamilies in America report , Generations United identified key state laws and policies specifically designed to address barriers and better support the diverse and unique population of grandparents and other relatives raising children. Learn more

Conceptual Frameworks and Practical Applications to connect Generations in the Technoscape. Matt Kaplan,PhD., Leah Bradley, MSW, and Mariano Sánchez, PhD, explored this potential through an international survey and found that important strides are being made in utilizing new technology for effectively connecting generations and positively affecting aging adults' lives. Learn more

The Resounding Resiliency of Grandfamilies: Financial Stories from Older Relatives Caring for Children in Lower-Income Communities.

Citi Community Development commissioned this report by Generations United and CFED , which highlights the financial strengths and challenges facing grandparents raising grandchildren in low-income communities. Learn more

Events

Webinars

Improving Messages in Kinship Care, Foster Care, and Adoption. Advocates for Families First. Jan. 13, 1:00-2:00 PM (Recording will be made available after the webinar.) Learn more

Conferences

Disparate Income, Wealth and Opportunity: Implications for Social Insurance. National Academy of Social Insurance. Washington, DC. Jan. 27-28, 2016. Learn more

Celebrating the Encore Effect. Encore.org. San Francisco, CA. Feb. 9-11, 2016. Learn more.

Aging in America. American Society on Aging. Washington, DC. Mar. 21-24, 2016. Learn more.

Educate. Ignite. Transform. National Youth Leadership Council. Minneapolis, MN. Mar. 30 - Apr. 2, 2016. Learn more

Coming Together: Building the Path, Shining the Light. Lutheran Services in America. Minneapolis, MN. Apr. 25-28, 2016. Learn more.

Quote

"The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person." ~ Andy Rooney

Your Feedback Invited!

While Alan King is out on paternity leave, we want to be sure Generations This Week is still a real resource for you. Please send us any national news on intergenerational issues in addition to upcoming conferences, funding opportunities, reports and webinars. Local and state events can be shared in our Facebook group. Please also let us know how we can improve! Contact us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

Best,

Your Friends at Generations United

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