AGE to age continues to inspire tremendous community and partnership support

Northland Foundation’s AGE to age initiative, launched in 2008 to bring youth together with older adults in rural communities, has definitely struck a chord. The 10 original AGE to age sites  – which continue going strong – are being joined by three more; funding partners are lending support; new initiatives are building on the AGE to age success; and the concept of intergenerational friendship and civic engagement has captured interest in Minnesota and nationally. Following are just a few updates on this dynamic program.

Two Harbors AGE to age Receives Funding from Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation

 

The Northland Foundation has received a $20,000 grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation in support of one of the three newest AGE to age communities, Two Harbors. The grant will help support Two Harbors to implement their projects.

“We are thrilled to have this partnership opportunity in support of Two Harbors’ efforts to join the generations to foster relationships and improve community,” said Lynn Haglin, Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director at the Northland Foundation.

The Sheltering Arms Foundation Provides Key Support to Reading Pals, an Extension of AGE to age

 

The momentum of AGE to age in rural sites has led to successful spin-off initiatives. The community connections and collaboration, as well as new volunteer capacity has enabled AGE to age communities to branch out in new directions.

This past year, three sites: McGregor, Proctor, and Moose Lake piloted “Reading Pals” which taps older adult volunteers to help young children ages three years through grade three to work on their reading and literacy skills.

The pilot program was well received by the more than 30 volunteer readers, local schools, and nearly 100 children who participated. Northland Foundation celebrated the older adult volunteers and site coordinators with a lunch program in May, during which attendees shared heartfelt stories of not only the reading progress made by the children but also of the mentoring and friendships that sprung from their time with these young children.

Reading Pals received critical funding support from The Sheltering Arms Foundation last year, and recently the Northland Foundation received a second $15,000 grant from them to carry Reading Pals forward for another year.

“What we have found is that older adult volunteers have the time and patience to share with young readers that many busy parents today do not always have,” said Lynn Haglin, Northland Foundation Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director. “and both ends of the generational spectrum are gaining social-emotional benefits. They are learning together.”

“Lessons Learned” Publication

 

The conclusion of the three-year pilot Implementation Phase of AGE to age (2009-2012) and the beginning of AGE to age next steps including expansion into additional communities and sharing the AGE to age story with state and national audiences is the perfect time to reflect on what led to this vibrant, grassroots initiative and what participants have accomplished to date.

To capture those reflections, the Northland Foundation developed a brief Lessons Learned publication. The special publication outlines how this initiative has evolved and some of the dynamic ways communities have leveraged this unique opportunity.

The Lessons Learned publication is available online at the Northland Foundation website. If you would like to request a printed copy, contact Northland by phone at 218-723-4040 or email us.