https://youtu.be/AdHsLrBxjoI At Citizen University, both teens and adults are deeply involved in strengthening civic culture. But when all ages met, both young and older were a bit uneasy. They wondered how they could best work together. How could they tap the talents...
5 Ways to Make Your Collaboration with Teens a Success
Our task, as we understood it, was to get teen leaders involved in Citizen University’s Youth Collaboratory excited about working alongside adults to create change — what we call cogeneration. As it turns out, teens in the program were already excited about...
Want to Jumpstart a Conversation About Collaborating With Teens?
When CoGenerate and Citizen University launched a project to deepen cogenerational ties, our goal was to get teens excited about working alongside older adults to create change. What we discovered surprised us. Teens didn’t need convincing to work across generations....
Reinventing the American University for a Multigenerational Future
In an episode of this season of Hacks, the Emmy-winning intergenerational comedy, the older comedian Deborah Vance returns to her alma mater (UC Berkeley) to receive an honorary degree. Shortly after arriving, a video containing offensive jokes she delivered early in...
15 Innovators Solving Problems and Bridging Generational Divides
We asked our newest group of Innovation Fellows to tell us more about their work
Our newest Innovation Fellows are fighting for racial and environmental justice, empowering immigrant communities, healing trauma, registering young people to vote, reducing ageism and loneliness, and more.
And they’re all using cogeneration — bringing older and younger people together to solve pressing problems — as a key strategy to meet their goals.
To learn more about their work, we asked each person the same six questions. They had a choice of the seventh and final question. We hope you enjoy these fun Q&As below.
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Anya Kamenetz Is Bringing Solutions-Oriented Climate Storytelling to Children
The bestselling author and former education journalist for NPR is mobilizing her network for good.
Christina Hernandez Is Tackling the Early Childhood Educator Crisis in Los Angeles
By matching community college students with retired early educators, she’s helping to prepare enough preschool teachers to meet the growing demand.
Elly Katz Is Pairing Teens and Elders to Fight Ageism and Improve Mental Health
The founder of Sages & Seekers says “it’s a natural fit” to connect these two marginalized groups.
Genevieve Leighton-Armah Is Helping Black Leaders Realize That Rest Is Their Biggest Currency
Her pilot program in the Bay Area supports community activists and reduces burnout so they can continue doing important work.
Jon Adam Ross Is Using Collaborative Theater To Build Bridges Between Cultures and Generations
He brings diverse community members together to interpret sacred texts for modern times.
Joseph Lam’s Card Game Sparks Deep Conversations Across Generations
He wanted to heal his relationship with his immigrant parents. Now he’s helping a global audience bridge divides.
Lewis Bernstein Uses Sesame Street Clips To Connect Three Generations
After retiring from Sesame Street Workshop, he saw an opportunity to “spark discussion, empathy and joy” while reducing loneliness.
Libby Stegger Is Reducing Polarization and the Culture of Division, One Community Project at a Time
She created Move for America to help today’s leaders “solve complex challenges with a diverse group of people at the table.”
Mariam Sankoh Is Trying To Heal Racial Wounds in the Former Capital of the Confederacy
Once she learned the true story of American history, she felt compelled to work on creating more equity and justice in her community.
Natilee McGruder is Giving Grassroots Leaders of All Ages a Safe and Supportive Community
Her venture, Alabama Leads, creates “a space where people can be, rest, dream, be honest and connect”
Nicole Kenney Is Tackling Racial Disparities in Mental Health to Help Black Women Thrive
She started Hey Auntie!, an online community that offers intergenerational support.
Roderick Heath Is on a Mission to Get the Generations Talking — Via Film
He pairs young people and older ones on documentary projects designed to solve community problems.
Samuel Rubin Is Fighting for Climate Justice by Tapping the Power of TV and Film
He co-created the Hollywood Climate Summit to encourage industry professionals of all ages to drive culture change and climate action.
Sky Bergman Is Inspiring Older Adults To Visit High Schools and Pre-Register Young Voters
Her “Forever Voters” documentary and grassroots initiative is reducing generational division and creating more lifetime voters.
Tara Chadwick Is Bringing Elders, Preschoolers Together to “Protect, Restore and Maintain Our Ancestral Knowledge”
She launched The Papalotl Project to share knowledge about food, health, art and culture.