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News for Advocates of Children, Youth and Older Adults  

from Generations United

Featured Articles
Generations United in USA TODAY!
Phil's Adventures in Elderburbia
Generations United is Moving!
A Huge Thanks to Our Members and Supporters
Senate Hearing to Examine the Rise in 'Grandparent Scams'
Introducing...AARP Experience Corps
International Day of Rock Music
Apply to be a Best Intergenerational Community!
Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics - Cool Intergenerational Ideas
Learn More About Our Google Doodle Campaign
Request for Research on Intergenerational Programs
Grandparents Day Activities
Article Headline
Funding Opportunities
Great Resources
Events
In the News
Stay Connected

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 Volume 9, Issue 28
July 16, 2014
(Photo: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY) Holly and Howie Stein of Silver Spring, Md., with their granddaughters Talia, 8, right, and Elise, 6, visiting from Olney, Md. 

Generations United in USA TODAY!

In two separate articles, USA TODAY's Sharon Jayson captured how older adults feel about aging. In the first article, "Survey shows life regrets can shape later years: Optimism and Regrets about Aging," Donna Butts explained a common concern among older adults. "We often hear one of the biggest regrets they have is that they weren't closer with their family," Donna said, but now "we're seeing that change as the generations change." In another article, "Aging adults optimistic about what lies ahead," our Program Director Leah Bradley's parents were among the older adults featured. Learn more about the survey, then read the second article

Greyhound Bus Staion in Evansville, IN Summer 2001

Phil's Adventures in Elderburbia

What do historic preservation and age-friendly communities have in common? Generations United's friend and partner, Dr. Philip B. Stafford, makes the connection in his blog post, "Preserving People - Preserving Place". "Gerontologists often argue in favor of a policy called 'aging in place', understanding that the personal preference of most older people is to stay put," he writes. "I would add, however, that the places need the people just as much. When people stay put, the places benefit." Read the full article.

Generations United is Moving!

After seven years at our H Street NW office, we're preparing for an exciting change. We're moving to the Children's Defense Fund building at 25 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 on July 26, 2014. We may be a little tough to reach for a few days before and after. So please be patient while we settle into our new space. Please update your system to reflect our new address and check our "Contact Us" page often for the new telephone number. 

A Huge Thanks to Our Members and Supporters

Generations United thanks our members and supporters. Merci. Danke. Arigato. Asante. Gracias. Thank you. You can also honor a friend or loved one with a Tribute Gift. Donate to help us unleash the potential of an "age-amped" society.

Senate Hearing to Examine the Rise in Grandparent Scams
Tune in today, at 1:30 pm EDT, for a hearing about the untold number of older adults who fall victim to the "grandparent scam" in which a con artist calls grandparents, pretending to be a troubled grandchild and requesting money for help. Learn more

Introducing...AARP Experience Corps!

We announced our 2014 Program of Distinction designees last week. Now, it's time to introduce them. Starting today, this three-part series will highlight our 2014 honorees. First up is AARP Experience Corps. Independent research shows that AARP Experience Corps boosts student academic performance, helps schools and youth-serving organizations become more successful, and enhances the well-being of adults 50 and older in the process. Read the full profile. Stay tuned for next week, when we introduce Virginia Commonwealth University's Family Care Center.

Sunday, July 13 - International Day of Rock Music

On that day in 1985, hundreds of thousands of people packed the Wembley Stadium in London for the Live Aid Concert, which raised funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. That same day, other Live Aid-inspired efforts occured around the world. In honor of the International Day of Rock Music, we're highlighting two intergenerational rock programs: Drury University's Intergenerational Rock Band and the George Center for Music Therapy

Apply to be a Best Intergenerational Community!
Applications for the 2015 Best Intergenerational Community Awards are now open and available. Download the form.

Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics - Cool Intergenerational Ideas

In part nine, we feature the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, a nonpartisan political institution housed at the University of Kansas. Tweet your cool intergenerational ideas to #cooligideas. You can also post them to our  Intergenerational Connections Facebook Group. Youth Jumpstart Grantees can share ideas here. Or just text us through the Facebook  Messenger app (friend me to join  our Cool Intergenerational Ideas group discussion). We want to highlight innovative age-optimized programs and practices through our blog, social media and weekly e-newsletter!  Disclaimer: Spotlighting ideas does not imply Generations United's endorsement or recommendation, but rather encourages ideas to inspire other programs.  Share the inspiration. Learn more about the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics 

Learn More About Our Google Doodle Campaign     

Join our campaign to get Grandparents Day 2014 on Google Doodle! To learn what Google Doodles are and how you can request them, check out our Google Doodle Campaign page. There's even suggested language.

Request for Research on Intergenerational Programs

Generations United is collecting the latest research demonstrating the benefits of intergenerational programs to children, youth, older adults and communities. We're creating a one-page visual with statistics, which we'll use to make the case for intentionally engaging generations. Research areas of interest include: benefits of intergenerational relationships/programs for improving health, increased socialization, increased academic success, community solidarity, etc. We prefer research that utilizes a mixed-method approach rather than purely qualitative studies. Please send any information to Ilana Mittleman.

Grandparents Day Less Than Two Months Away

What are you doing to honor your grandparents on Sept. 7? Let us know. We want to highlight your creative ideas through our blog, social media and Generations This Week e-newsletter. If you haven't decided on an activity yet, then visit www.grandparentsday.org for resources, ideas and information. 

Intergeneration Month: September and All Ages Together Campaign

As Intergeneration Month: September approaches, it's not too early to begin thinking of ways to celebrate the connecting of generations during September, along with special support and acknowledgment for Grandparents Day on September 7th.  Intergeneration Foundation encourages special celebrations throughout the Month of September - thoughtful action every day - in any way that intentionally connects generations. That's why they launched the "All Ages Together Campaign," a new effort of collecting and posting on their website, ways in which generations come together.  Share your personal celebration plans and find new ways to celebrate Intergeneration Month. Learn more

Funding Opportunities
Grants in Music Research and Preservation Projects. The Grammy Foundation's annual research project grants program awards up to $20,000 in funding to groups or individuals who research the effects of music. These can include effects on mood, physical health, and cognition, with priority given to those who have strong methodologies and pertinent research questions.Deadline: October 1, 2014. Learn more

 

Youth Grants. Youth Service America's Summer of Service Awards is a $1,000 grant offered to young change-makers, ages 5-18, who are creating positive change through volunteering and service. Deadline: July 31, 2014. Learn more

 

If you have - or know of - any intergenerational funding opportunities, please send them to Alan King at aking@gu.org

Great Resources

Reports

Better Together: A Year of Connection 

In their 2013 annual report, Generations United member, OASIS, looks at how the organization helps people increase social connections and find joy, purpose and new experiences. The online report also includes a video - a fast-paced 20-slide "Pecha Kucha"-style presentation. Learn more

 

Books

Sometimes It's Grandmas and Grandpas: Not Mommies and Daddies

Written from a child's point of view, this picture book centers around grandparents, Nonnie and Poppy, raising their cheerful and delightful grandchild. The book hopes to reassure children in such households about their experience: "It's not always mommies and daddies who care for children, and that's OK." Learn more

 

Webinar

Making Children and Youth a Priority in this Election Year: How to legally and effectively raise the visibility of their needs. Children's Leadership Council. Tues, July 22, 2pm - 3pm EDT. Learn more

 

Resources

Recording of the Advocates for Families First Policy Agenda Webinar

This webinar explains the benefits of joining the national advocacy effort on behalf of foster, adoptive and kinship families and their children, as well as where these mutual interests fit into the current political landscape. View the recording. (You may need to download Quicktime to make the recording play properly.Click here to see slides from the presentation

 

Under One Roof and Connecting Generations 
These resources are available for the shipping and handling price -
Under One Roof is $4.50 and Connecting Generations is $5.50. Order your copies today!
Events
Conferences 

The National Summit on Authentic Youth Engagement. Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. Chicago, IL. August 5-6, 2014. Learn more

 

Aging in America Conference. American Society on Aging. Chicago, IL. March 23-27, 2015. Learn more 

 

Intergenerational Action on a Global Scale. Generations United, Seagull Schools, International Consortium of Intergenerational Programmes (ICIP) and JANCA. Honolulu, HI. July 21-24, 2015. Learn more 

In the News                

When it comes to caregiving, multigenerational homes come in all shapes and sizes, according to Susan London's article in the July/August 2014 Issue of Social Work Today. Read "Caregiving in Multigenerational Homes".

Quote

"When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers-so many caring people in this world.~Mister Rogers


Your Feedback Invited! 

We want Generations This Week to be 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! My email is aking@gu.org. I'd love to hear from you!

 

Best,       

 

Alan King 

Communications Specialist

Generations United 

 

  
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