Age segregation has created a wide range of social problems, including rampant ageism and an epidemic of loneliness made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, a vibrant movement to bridge generational divides is underway.

“Meeting the Multigenerational Moment”—a new SSIR essay series, presented in partnership with Encore.org and The Eisner Foundation—will explore some of the most promising intergenerational innovations.

Our Executive Director Donna Butts and Dr. Shannon Jarrott co-wrote a paper for this series. They are among the mix of social entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and philanthropic leaders offering a look at fresh ways to combat age segregation and make the most of an increasingly multigenerational society.

Read the first essay and sign up here to receive notifications whenever a new essay in this series is published!

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A Redding Teen Center 'intergenerational hub' bringing older adults over the age of 60 to mentor teenagers in Shasta County may become a reality by the end of the summer, according to Michael Burk, executive director at the Pathways to Hope for Children nonprofit in Redding, CA. In a 5-0 vote on Tuesday, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors approved moving forward with the Hope Park Project. "There is a special relationship between grandparents and teenagers, so I think this is kind of a natural fit and an exciting thing for Shasta County," Supervisor Mary Rickert said in the meeting. Learn more.

NEW! FCC Launches Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount on broadband service during the pandemic. The program will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on Tribal lands. Learn more.

New Intergenerational Resources. This latest set of free resources, developed by Generations United with support from RRF-Foundation for Aging, aims to strengthen and expand intergenerational programs. The new publications—Making the Case for Intergenerational Programs, Fact Sheet: Intergenerational Programs Benefit Everyone, and Staying Connected While Staying Apart: Intergenerational Programs & the COVID-19 Pandemic—support the growing field of practice by increasing the knowledge and skills of people working to connect and support older adults, children, and youth. Learn more.

Fact sheet: Intergenerational Shared Sites includes updated information about these important program models and what we know about their impact. Learn more.

Federal Funding Opportunities for Intergenerational Shared Sites Chart is designed to share some federal funding sources that include—or could include—support for intergenerational shared sites. Learn more.

Generations United's 2020 State of Grandfamilies Report—Facing a Pandemic: Grandfamilies Living Together During COVID-19 and Thriving Beyond. Grandfamily caregivers are the first line of defense for children during the pandemic, having stepped in when parents cannot raise them for many reasons, including cases where children's parents have died from the COVID-19 virus. Download the full report, watch Senator Sherrod Brown's acceptance speech, and listen to stories of grandfamilies impacted by COVID-19. Learn more.

Staying Healthy Across Generations: Vaccines are Essential for All Ages. Generations United's new infographic illustrates that vaccines aren't just for kids-they protect all generations- especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Staying up to date on vaccines for the flu, pneumonia and whooping cough are important to protect both older adults and children. Check it out.