When we first began planning the CoGen Voices Fellowship, we knew we'd face a few challenges. The group of 21 community changemakers was intentionally diverse — by age (15 to 81!), race, location, work, experience, and more. We'd have to meet many different needs and...
At CoGenerate, we believe in the power of cogeneration: a strategy to bring older and younger people together to forge bonds across differences, combat polarization and ageism, and help solve today’s toughest problems. If you’re involved or interested in cogeneration,...
https://youtu.be/OedAsZVTm9U?si=q20TIH8zuwPEhE0a Today in the US, more than 2.4 million children whose parents are unable to care for them live in grandfamilies, where they are raised by grandparents or other loved ones. Until recently, their experiences have been all...
Ernie, 80 and Cedar, 13, show off the rocks they decorated with symbols based on their conversation.Last month, I traveled to Chautauqua, a 150-year-old institute in western New York that brings thousands of people together for summer programs focused on lifelong...
Why do you do the civic or community work that you do?
I do my civic work because I am inspired by the impact our team can have on the community. I started my nonprofit, Canvas for Civics, because too few young people are active, informed, and essential participants in our democracy. To get them engaged, I decided to fuse art and civic education through hosting civic art competitions. Now I get to hear people’s stories and see the impact we have had on participants, some of whom have been inspired to teach civics. That, in turn, inspires me to continue and keep impacting fellow youth.
How is cogeneration helping (or how will it help) you succeed?
Cogeneration is helping me succeed because it offers me an opportunity to access mentorship and resources that I lacked before. I’ve been lucky to have had experienced cogeneration with building my organization Project HeART and Canvas for Civics. My mentor for my nonprofit often shared his connections in the industry, which eventually led to crucial partnerships and opportunities to partner and host events.
Got one tip to help other civic leaders collaborate more effectively with older or younger people?
Move beyond any age differences or stigma. I believe it is important to remove any stereotypes one may have about cross-generational cooperation and go into collaboration with an open mind. Often times, I am amazed by the opportunities that arise from staying open-minded.Â
What’s something giving you joy or hope right now?
Seeing the youth in my community taking action on civic issues that are personal to them. From starting organizations to volunteering, they inspire me and make me hopeful to see other youth stepping up and believing that they can make a change in their community today.