Volume 20 | Issue 16 | August 6, 2025 | |
A Heartfelt Farewell From Donna Butts
In November 1997 when I stepped into the role of executive director of Generations United I had no idea what an incredible opportunity I was being given. I looked at our $160k+ budget, 2 ½ staff people (including me and the gifted Sheri Steinig) and wondered, along with our founders, if we’d sink or swim. It’s a testament to our vitally important mission and the stellar GU team that we not only kept our heads above water, we soared.
We didn’t do it alone. Few people are so fortunate to have worked in a field planted and tended by compassionate, brilliant people. You may have been one of the colleagues, friends, funders, partners or others who have stood with us along the way challenging and supporting us. I am grateful to you.
Read Donna's full message.
| | Image of Donna Butts at the 23rd Global Intergenerational Conference in Louisville, KY. Photos courtesy of Photo Lulu Photography | | Join us in celebrating Donna’s 27 years of incredible leadership and lasting legacy by sharing your written messages, short videos, and/or photos. Click here to add your message. | |
Read the Latest Issue of our Shared Site Learning Network Newsletter
Our latest Shared Site Learning Network newsletter showcases intergenerational summer programs—from storytelling and gardening to camps and nature walks—and offers resources to help practitioners design high-quality, relationship-based experiences. Read the full issue.
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Celebrate International Youth Day with Generations United
We’re inviting people of all generations to come together on August 12, 2025 to celebrate International Youth Day and co-create intergenerational strategies to accelerate the SDGs. Learn more about TogetherForSDGS. Join Generations United and Youth Forum on August 13 at 9:00 am EST for “Designing the Future Together: Local Action, Global ImPACT,” a dynamic youth-led dialogue for International Youth Day 2025 and the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY30). Register here.
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Generations United Published in The Oxford Handbook of Intergenerational Connections
Generations United is thrilled to share that our Executive Director, Donna Butts, authored a chapter titled "Uniting Generations through Policy, Practice, and Purpose" in the newly released Oxford Handbook of Intergenerational Connections! The handbook features many insightful contributions from other leading experts in the field, including chapters by Trent Stamp and Chelsea Mason of The Eisner Foundation, our senior fellows, Nancy Henkin and Alan Hatton-Yeo. Access the full handbook.
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Join us in Celebrating Grandparents Day
#DoSomethingGrand and celebrate Grandparents Day (Sunday, September 7) throughout the month of September! This year, we’re celebrating Stories From the Table. Inspired by the hit Netflix film NONNAS, this social impact campaign is a celebration of food, family, and the wisdom passed down through generations, and offers a way to promote intergenerational exchange in your community. Learn more.
Interested in being a Grand Partner for Grandparents Day? Email Generations United's Project Specialist Adina Wambua at awambua@gu.org to become a partner today!
| | | Upcoming Webinar: Federal Funding of Kinship Services in Action | | Accepting Requests for Assistance | | As always, the Network is accepting individual requests for assistance from professionals who work in systems or organizations that serve kinship/grandfamilies. Fill out the request assistance form to receive support from our team. Learn more and sign up for our monthly newsletter! | |
The Network is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $9,950,000 with 95 percentage funded by ACL/HHS and $523,684 and 5 percentage funded by non-government sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
| | Intergenerational Spotlight | |
Ebenezer Ridges Intergenerational Day Program
Ebenezer Ridges, a recently designated Generations United Program of Merit, is an Intergenerational Shared-site campus providing care, education, and life-long learning
opportunities with programs ranging from child care, adult day program, memory care, assisted living, independent living, skilled nursing care, and transitional care. Students of the Child Care program at Ebenezer Ridges Campus are invited to take part in this unique intergenerational education program. In this program, residents of the Ebenezer Ridges Campus senior living community become the “Grandfriends” of youngest community members: rocking infants, leading toddlers in arts, crafts, and gardening activities, or partnering with preschoolers in the Life Long Learning MacPhail Music program. As children and older adults share stories, play games, and create together during staff-supervised activities, an unmistakable bond forms that transcends generations and brings joy to participants of all ages. Learn more about Ebenezer Ridges here.
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Photo courtesy of Ebenezer Ridges | | Each issue, Generations United is spotlighting a recipient of our Intergenerational Program Certification or a program highlighted in our Shared Site Learning Network newsletter. The certification is an annual recognition of outstanding programs bringing older and younger participants together and is based on rigorous standards of program effectiveness and sustainability. Learn more about the Intergenerational Program Certification here. | |
Attend the National Academy of Social Insurance's Upcoming Virtual Event
Join the National Academy of Social Insurance on Wednesday, August 13 at 10 AM EST for the webinar, "A Gen Z & Millennial Perspective on Social Security." This virtual event will feature Gen Z and Millennial advocates and emerging leaders discussing why Social Security matters to their generation—not just in the future, but right now. Topics will include who benefits today, what’s at stake, and how young people can shape the future of social insurance. Register today!
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The Administration for Community Living Announces New Funding Opportunity for Lifespan Respite Care Program: State Program Enhancement Grants
ACL has announced approximately $2 million for a new funding opportunity to eligible entities under the National Lifespan Respite Care Program: State Program Enhancement Grants (HHS-2025-ACL-AOA-LRLI-0004). Eligible state agencies funded under this announcement shall use grant funds to advance the provision of respite services through their statewide Lifespan Respite Care system as outlined in The Act. The goal of the program is to enhance state systems and capacities to deliver respite care and related services to family caregivers of children and adults across all age groups, disabilities, and chronic conditions. Applications due Friday, August 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Learn more.
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Thank You to Our Members and Supporters! | We welcome GrandLade LLC as a new member. Thank you to all our members and supporters! Help us build a society that values all generations by making a donation today. If you're an organization, join us! | | | | |
"Generations United is a celebration. The creation of Generations United marks the recognition that America’s generations, its old and young, its children, students, its workers and retired have never been closer, and at the same time, have never needed one another as much as they do today."
— Founders at press conference announcing a new coalition, Generations United, on August 5, 1986
| | We want Generations This Week to be a resource for you. Please send us any national news on intergenerational issues, in addition to upcoming conferences, funding opportunities, research, reports, and webinars. You can connect with other intergenerational enthusiasts through our Facebook group. Please also let us know how we can improve! Email us at gu@gu.org. We'd love to hear from you! | |
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Treat Yourself GRAND!
As a reader of Generations This Week, you are eligible to receive a complimentary subscription to GRAND - The Lifestyle Magazine for Awesome Grandparents.
That's a $26 value for 12 issues delivered right to your inbox. Get valuable offers and inspirational articles, like our column on GRAND Families, and more.
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