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?
Music is a great tool in breaking down barriers and building communities. The same piece can connect with completely different people in a way that makes us realize that we are more alike than it seems on the surface. From there, the door is open to learning more about one another. In an increasingly isolated society, I think it’s especially important to bring that tool into more diverse spaces. Due to the nature of the Heart of Los Angeles Eisner Intergenerational Music Program, where I serve as Program Manager, and the intentionality of making it an intergenerational space, our membership represents the rich diversity of our city.Â
How is cogeneration helping (or how will it help) you succeed?
Doing the work comes naturally to me. I love to connect. I love music. Talking about the work and rallying the forces and resources has been my challenge. Cogeneration allows me to get the word out to as many people as possible and make people feel welcome in the space.
Got one tip to help other civic leaders collaborate more effectively with older or younger people?
Be authentic and sincere in your care for the community. In work that depends on gaining support from the masses, it’s important to remember that each member of your movement is an individual that deserves the same care and attention as any other. When collaborating across ages you need to navigate the needs of all ages to ensure that your product/goal is a solution for everyone.Â
What’s something giving you joy or hope right now?
Seeing people play music during rehearsals is something that always gives me joy and hope. I’m inspired by the process of practicing towards musical excellence. I get to see and hear people grow week over week. As the ensemble plays the same piece more and more, they begin to relate to it in such a personal way. The music begins to take life. By the end of the season, the music sounds complete. The members have developed confidence, overcome a challenge, and demonstrated humanity’s capacity for never-ending growth. As a microcosm of society, this gives me hope for the future.