A Message from Kristen

"For 40 years, Generations United has shown that strong intergenerational connections - built early and sustained over time - help children, youth, older adults, families, and communities thrive."

A new year invites both reflection and resolve - and for Generations United, it also marks a meaningful milestone.

This year, we celebrate 40 years of bringing children, youth, and older adults together to strengthen families and communities through intentional, intergenerational connection. That history reminds us of something essential: lasting progress happens when we invest early, stay connected over time, and recognize that the well-being of one generation is inseparable from the well-being of all. For four decades, our work has shown that strong, sustained intergenerational relationships - within families, across age groups, and supported by effective systems - help communities remain resilient and better prepared for what comes next.

As we step into this anniversary year, we’re reminded that many of today’s challenges were shaped over time, across transitions where connection and continuity mattered most. Our role has always been to help close those gaps - by reinforcing relationships, supporting families early, and ensuring that policies and practices work across the lifespan, not in isolation.

From championing grandfamilies and kinship caregivers to advancing intergenerational approaches that promote health, stability, and belonging, this work has never been more important - or more possible. This year is a chance to honor what we’ve built together, recommit to what we know works, and move forward with purpose.

Forty years in, our mission remains clear. And together, we are just getting started.

Thank you for being part of this journey and this community.

Warmly,

Kristen Kiefer

Generations United Executive Director

Save the Date for Global Intergenerational Week 2026 and Join us for the North America Launch Event!

Now in its sixth year, Global Intergenerational Week (April 24–30) continues to grow as an international celebration of intergenerational relationships and programs. Join North America's country leads—Generations United and The Eisner Foundation from the United States, CórimAZ from Mexico, and Volunteer Canada from Canada—on February 4th for an overview of the week and the many ways individuals and organizations can participate. Register for the event.

Kin Engagement Toolkit

Thanks to Subject Matter Expert Marina Nitze and her team at the Child Welfare Playbook, we have updated our Kin-Finding Toolkit, giving it a new title and refreshing the content. All links to our Kin-Finding Toolkit will now lead directly to this updated version, which features almost 20 practical strategies to help you locate and engage with family members and trusted adults (collectively called “kin” throughout this toolkit) who can provide placement or ongoing support for youth. If you have any questions about implementing a strategy in this toolkit or want to learn more about how a jurisdiction named as an example is doing things, we encourage you to reach out to us through this form. We will get back to you quickly to assist in whatever way we can.

Access the Toolkit

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!

Deadline for submissions to Grandfamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice, and Policy Extended to January 12, 2026 

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy provides a forum for quality, evidence-based research with sound scholarship, knowledge, skills and best practices from the field for scholars, clinicians, policymakers, educators, program administrators and family advocates. The editors of GrandFamilies invite authors to submit manuscripts that examine new or emerging theoretical conceptualization or applications, practice methodologies, program evaluation and policy perspectives.

The deadline for submissions has been extended to January 12, 2026. Learn more.

Early Bird Registration and Call For Proposals Now Open for the Global Intergenerational Congress

The 2026 Global Intergenerational Congress, hosted by Generations Working Together, invites thought leaders, practitioners, volunteers, and researchers to contribute to a transformative dialogue that moves beyond discussion into meaningful action. Secure your spot at a discounted rate with early bird registration and join intergenerational changemakers in Glasgow from September 29 to October 1. The Call for Sessions and Papers is also open - submit your innovative idea, groundbreaking research, or a powerful story today.

USAging’s Caregiver Services and Supports Action Guides

USAging's Caregiver Services and Supports Action guides contain best practices and implementation strategies designed to help Aging Network organizations develop and strengthen innovative services and supports that meet the needs of all family caregivers. Generations United is a partner in this important work and led a working group that drafted one of the guides, “Fostering Partnerships Between Child Welfare and Aging Systems to Improve Recognition of Support for Kin Caregivers.” Access all of USAging's Action Guides here.

All Ears Friendship Bench Program

The All Ears Friendship Bench Program, a newly desginated Program of Distinction, is an evidence-based model adapted from the Friendship Bench Model developed by Dr. Dixon Chibanda, a Zimbabwean psychiatrist and director of the African Mental Health Research Initiative. He developed the program as a brief intervention delivered by lay workers - usually grandmothers - in accessible settings.  At ASU, the program connects students with adult volunteers (“Bench Champions”) who provide compassionate listening through informal conversations on ASU’s four campus locations. Bench Champions complete training in active listening and campus resources, then serve at least one shift per month. Since its launch in 2024, the program has reached over 600 students and engaged 25 volunteers. Learn more about the All Ears Friendship Bench Program here.