AGE to age: bringing generations together takes deeper root in 10 sites

Youth and older adults, and the generations between, are coming together to create noticeable changes in their communities.

As AGE to age wraps up the first year of its three-year project implementation period, the energy around this initiative has never been higher. So far, AGE to age has involved 10 communities across the region; 1,600 young people ages 10 to 18 years old; 700 adults 55-plus; and 1,100 people who fall between those two age groups.

The seeds of success were planted through enthusiastic community input during the organizing process. They began to sprout during the planning and early-stage project phase. Now, ambitious undertakings are blossoming into activities and projects that are making noticeable differences in each community. AGE to age has put down strong roots.

The sites are guided by one or two adult coordinators and a 20-member leadership team as well as the many participants from each community. Several sites have also collaborated with other groups such as senior centers, schools, and VFW posts to enhance their projects.

Besides terrific local and regional participation and ongoing support from the Northland Foundation, AGE to age is also part of two prestigious national initiatives: the Community Experience Partnership, an initiative for U.S. community foundations from Atlantic Philanthropies, and Communities For All Ages (CFAA) coordinated by The Intergenerational Center at Temple University. The two CFAA sites, Moose Lake and Proctor, have done extra planning and engaged additional community stakeholders to support their multi-generational plans.

Annual funding to each site will help support dozens of inspiring projects throughout the region such as creating welcoming outdoor gathering spaces, inviting Native American speakers to share stories and traditions, transforming a senior center to a full-fledged community center, establishing a farmers' market, and many others.

“AGE to age provides a way for different generations to genuinely get to know one another and put fears and stereotypes aside. The age groups that society tends to marginalize are being empowered as agents for change in communities,” said Lynn Haglin, Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director at the Northland Foundation.