Volume 18 | Issue 5 | February 1, 2023 | |
News for Advocates of Children, Youth, and Older Adults from Generations United | | |
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Global Conference Updates - Proposal Deadline Extended!
It's not too late to submit your proposals for conference educational sessions. We have extended the deadline for submission to February 13, 2023. Download the Word Doc version of the session guidelines and instructions for more information. All submissions must be completed online.
Registration is open for Generations United's Global Intergenerational Conference, to be held July 26-28, 2023 in Washington, DC! Special savings are available to people who register by March 15. Register today!
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Thank you to The Eisner Foundation
Generations United is honored that The Eisner Foundation is serving as the premiere sponsor of the 22nd Global Intergenerational Conference! We are so grateful to The Eisner Foundation for being a leader in supporting intergenerational programs, policies, and learnings that enrich our communities and lives.
Learn more about The Eisner Foundation here.
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Generations United in the News
GRAND Voice Norma Hatfield had an Op-Ed published in the Lexington Herald Leader about the importance of increasing financial supports for kinship families. Read more.
Senior Fellow Irv Katz is a co-author of a blog featured in Brookings Institution, which is titled Playful Learning Creates Multigenerational Opportunities with Intergenerational Impacts. They cite Generations United and "Making the Case for Intergenerational Programs" to demonstrate the lifelong benefits of intergenerational living. Read more.
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Generations United to Host Kinship Unity National Convening
This week Generations United is leading a Kinship Unity National Convening in Washington, DC, co-hosted by Think of Us and the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law. The convening will bring together national policy leaders with lived and professional expertise in kinship care to identify federal policy priorities to advance more effective and equitable policies for kinship families. The priorities determined from this event will be shared with a broader group of lived experts and other stakeholders for input, and then turned into a coordinated and actionable federal kinship policy agenda to guide future federal policy reforms by Congress and the Administration. Stay tuned for more information.
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Webinar - Conversation on Family Inclusivity
The circumstances in which children grow up have greatly evolved, alongside the recognition that families live in many different formations. In the last few years, the federal government has begun to recognize that there is no such thing as a “normal” family, and policies that build around this falsehood tend to leave many families out, including adoptive, foster, LGBTQ+, single-parent, kinship families, unmarried couples, and more. However, experts and advocates across the nation have been working for greater inclusivity for quite some time.
On February 8 at 3pm ET, join Jennifer Ng’andu of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, parent leaders, family experts and advocates including Donna Butts for a live learning event about the roles we can play in helping all families thrive. Register now.
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Meet Generations United's Board Members
The Generations United Board of Directors recently elected new officers and three new board members. We are grateful for their service and look forward to introducing you to them over the next few weeks. Up first are…
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Learn more about our Board Officers and Board Members here. | |
Virtual Event: "Social Trauma and Intergenerational Programmes/Solutions" - How Ukraine is Maintaining Its Social Security System
Join us on February 6 from 1:15 to 2:30 pm ET for a virtual event, “Social Trauma and Intergenerational Programmes/Solutions.” Two speakers from the National Academy of Social Insurance – one based in Ukraine and the other in the USA – will discuss how Ukraine is maintaining its Social Security System and other social protection programmes in the face of extreme trauma. This symposium is an approved event during the 61st meeting of the Commission on Social Development and is sponsored by Generations United, NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, and the National Academy of Social Insurance. Save this link to join the session.
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Program Spotlight - LBFE Boston CitySites
LBFE Boston, part of the larger global network of Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly, is committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among older adults by encouraging inclusive communities and connections that span generations. Priority is given to seniors living independently at or below the poverty line, and programs are offered at no cost to participants. LBFE Boston collaborates with senior housing, senior centers, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and local college and universities to bridge the generations. CitySites, their core program and a Generations United Program of Distinction brings students and older adults together on a weekly basis for both formal and informal programming to build fulfilling friendships where everyone is welcome to teach, learn, and enjoy each other's company. Learn more about LBFE Boston and CitySites here.
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Photo courtesy of LBFE Boston | |
Each week, Generations United is spotlighting a recipient of our Intergenerational Program Certification. 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. | |
Check Out Our Newest Resources! | |
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Our partners at USAging conducted a topical poll of Area Agencies on Aging and Title VI Native American Aging Programs, and we worked together to produce a fact sheet that provides an overview of the results and a report that thoroughly shares the details. The fact sheet includes information on services provided to kinship/grandfamilies, referral partners, and challenges. The report covers additional topics and includes profiles of existing programs. Both resources are available in English and Spanish.
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Accepting Technical Assistance Requests | |
As always, the Network is accepting individual technical assistance (TA) requests from professionals who work in systems or organizations that serve kinship/grandfamilies. Fill out the TA request form to receive support from our team. Learn more and sign up to access our resources! | |
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.
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The AARP Purpose Prize Award Is Accepting Applications through February 28
The AARP Purpose Prize award honors extraordinary individuals who use their lived experiences to make a better future for all. Don’t miss a chance to earn $50,000 for your organization and a year of support to help broaden the scope of your work. Up to 10 fellows will each receive $10,000 for their organization and a year of technical support. See official rules and apply at www.aarp.org/apply.
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Culture United - Grandpa's Wise Words
Grandpa’s Wise Words is a short intergenerational children’s story where a grandson seeks his grandpa’s comfort after an upsetting experience in his day. Written from the perspective of the grandson, he attempts to understand his grandpa’s teaching of living in the moment and appreciating the joys in life. Learn more.
Culture United highlights films, books, and TV shows with an intergenerational theme. Do you have any suggestions? Share them with us, and we'll share them in the weeks and months to come. We welcome responses or reactions. See disclaimer.
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Thank You to Our Members and Supporters | Thank you to our members and supporters! Consider making a donation today to help unleash the potential of a society that values all generations. If you're an organization, join us! | | | |
Think Intergenerational - Funding Opportunities | |
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The GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States. Nonprofit organizations, school districts, universities, government entities, and other tax-exempt organizations in the United States and its territories that serve at least 15 youth are eligible to apply. Selected programs will be awarded $500 to start or expand their youth garden or greenspace and will have the opportunity to apply for an additional $1,000 in funding in specialty award categories focused on programs with greater funding needs, programs that serve a majority of LGBTQ+ youth, and programs led by people of color that serve a majority of youth of color. The application deadline is February 10, 2023. Learn more.
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Public Art Challenge encourages mayors to partner with artists, elevating the value of including the creative sector when developing solutions to significant urban issues. The program supports temporary public art projects that celebrate creativity, enhance urban identity, encourage public-private collaborations, and strengthen local economies. The application deadline is February 15, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Learn more.
Youth Service America (YSA) is searching for Heartwarming Young Heroes with creative ideas to foster meaningful connections, promote inclusion, and teach empathy. With support from Hershey's Heartwarming Project, YSA will award up to $50,000 in grants for youth-led service projects and community-building activities during Global Youth Service Day (April 28-30). All youth ages 5-25 in the United States (including U.S. territories and military bases & DoD schools). The application deadline is Sunday, March 5 at 11:59pm your local time. Learn more.
If you have—or know of—any intergenerational funding opportunities, please send them to gu@gu.org.
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Think Intergenerational - Great Resources | |
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Journal of Intergenerational Relationships Call for Papers for Memorial Issue Honoring Founding Editor Dr. Sally Newman’s Contributions to the Intergenerational Field: Dr. Sally Newman was a guiding force for founding the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships in 2003, serving as its first editor until June 2014. Despite her death in 2022, Dr. Newman’s legacy lives on. In honor of Dr. Newman’s leadership in intergenerational program research, the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships invites scholarly contributions for a special issue focused on contemporary intergenerational research that builds on her foundational work, which can be seen today in different programmatic settings and countries. This special memorial issue will be published in 2024. Submissions must be received by May 31, 2023. Read the full special issue announcement here. Contact Shannon Jarrott with questions.
"Intergenerational Community Planning" Report: Generations United Senior Fellow Irv Katz and Generations United friend and Penn State professor Matt Kaplan, PhD, collaborated on a "guide" to intergenerational community planning published by the American Planning Association (APA). The intergenerational planning guide follows related APA reports on multigenerational planning and planning for all ages. The document suggests that the well-being of children, youth, and older adults--and how they relate with one another--should be integrated into regular city planning processes, such as the comprehensive planning that most cities and towns undertake. "Intergenerational Community Planning" is available for free to members of the American Planning Association and $25 for non-members.
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Generations United Resources | |
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2022 State of Grandfamilies Report, Together at the Table: Supporting the Nutrition, Health, and Well-Being of Grandfamilies, includes the latest findings on grandfamilies facing high rates of hunger and food insecurity, as well as policy recommendations to help feed grandfamilies. Read the report to explore the data and learn why we need to change current policies to ensure access to adequate nutritious food for grandfamilies.
Grandfamily Caregiver Tip Sheets on Self-Care and Youth Mental Health are now available in Spanish. These tip sheets were developed with support from our partner, Humana. Learn more.
Updated Intergenerational Evaluation Toolkit, which was created in 2019 by Dr. Shannon Jarrott with support from The Eisner Foundation, includes over 20 reliable and valid outcome measures that have been used in the evaluation of intergenerational programs. Learn more.
Racial Equity Toolkits are designed to give resources and tips to child welfare agencies, other government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, so they can better serve all grandfamilies. Generations United has produced a toolkit for American Indian and Alaska Native grandfamilies, African-American grandfamilies, and Latino grandfamilies. Learn more.
Racial Equity Tipsheets Now Available. With support from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Generations United is pleased to share a new series of tip sheets to accompany our racial equity toolkits. These tools are designed to help professionals serving grandfamilies to provide culturally appropriate services. Learn more.
Sharing Our Space: A Toolkit for Developing and Enhancing Intergenerational Shared Sites is designed for individuals and organizations interested in creating an intergenerational shared site or enhancing services at their current site. Divided into 10 sections, the toolkit details every step of the development and operation process, from initial planning to sustaining long-term shared site programs. Learn more.
Making the Case for Intergenerational Programs provides rationale and facts to help make the case for intergenerational programs. It is based on a comprehensive review of the literature on intergenerational programs and highlights evidence-based findings on how intergenerational programs benefit everyone. There is also an accompanying fact sheet available in English and Spanish. Learn more.
Staying Healthy Across Generations: Vaccines are Essential for All Ages is an infographic that 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 is important to protect both older adults and children. Learn more.
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"It's an extraordinary thing... People think we are from two different worlds, but it's not true. We are in the same world. And maybe I give them something, too. There is an exchange."
Giacomo Scaramuzza, a centenarian participant in the Elderly and Children Together project in Piacenza, Italy.
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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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