CoGen Solutions to Social Isolation and Loneliness

CoGen Solutions to Social Isolation and Loneliness

An Innovators’ Community of Practice

An illustration of 11 diverse people — and one dog — spelling out the word "Together" from various art materials.

A community of innovators bringing generations together to fight social isolation and loneliness

The Problem: Young people and older ones are the two groups most affected by social isolation and loneliness.

The Opportunity: We believe the most important solution to social isolation and loneliness is to bring these two groups together. Not as victims, but as agents of change. Not for commiseration, but for connection, learning, joy and shared purpose beyond themselves.

The Solution: The Innovators’ Community of Practice is a free, five-week learning experience for innovators interested in adopting or scaling cogenerational strategies for reducing social isolation and loneliness. This will be a supportive community of innovators who don’t want to do this work alone.

The Program: The hour-long sessions at 10am PT / 1pm ET on five consecutive Thursdays from October 10-November 7, 2024 will provide opportunities to learn from experts and one another. Innovators with the most promising models will have the opportunity to be featured in a major report to funders and the field. Presenters and facilitators will include CoGenerate staff, fellows, researchers, and experienced practitioners who will share their models and lessons learned.

The Opportunity

Media coverage of social isolation and loneliness is focused almost exclusively on the problem. With barely a whisper about solutions, you’d be forgiven for thinking nobody is working on answers.

So when we opened applications for a five-week community of practice to unite innovators interested in cogenerational strategies for reducing social isolation and loneliness, we weren’t prepared for the huge response. We heard from hundreds of innovators who are deeply concerned about the problem and working to find solutions. No surprise, they don’t want to do this work alone. 

The CoGenerate Innovators’ Community of Practice includes representatives of 167 organizations eager to learn from experts and one another. 

Advisors

The following leaders have provided guidance, thought leadership and outreach that has been instrumental in shaping CoGen Solutions to Social Isolation and Loneliness. We’re grateful!

Arielle Galinsky, The Legacy Project

Cal Halvorsen, PhD, Boston College

David Hsu, CoGenerate board member

Davis Endava, Citizen University

Donna Butts, Generations United

Ernest Gonzales, PhD, NYU

Jeremy Nobel, MD/MPH, Foundation for Art & Healing and author, Project UnLonely

Jilian Racoosin, MPH, Foundation for Social Connection

Jon Adam Ross, Inheritance Theater Project

Kasley Killam, MPH, Author of The Art and Science of Connection, Social Health Labs

Manu Meel, Bridge USA

Scott Shigeoka, Author of Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World

Serena Bian, CoGenerate board member

Sian-Pierre Regis, independent filmmaker and anti-ageism advocate

Zoey Cane Belyea, Citizen University

Advisors

The following leaders have provided guidance, thought leadership and outreach that has been instrumental in shaping CoGen Solutions to Social Isolation and Loneliness. We’re grateful!

 

Arielle Galinsky, The Legacy Project

Cal Halvorsen, PhD, Boston College

David Hsu, CoGenerate board member

Davis Endava, Citizen University

Donna Butts, Generations United

Ernest Gonzales, PhD, NYU

Jeremy Nobel, MD/MPH, Foundation for Art & Healing and author, Project UnLonely

Jilian Racoosin, MPH, Foundation for Social Connection

Jon Adam Ross, Inheritance Theater Project

Kasley Killam, MPH, Author of The Art and Science of Connection, Social Health Labs

Manu Meel, Bridge USA

Scott Shigeoka, Author of Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World

Serena Bian, CoGenerate board member

Sian-Pierre Regis, independent filmmaker and anti-ageism advocate

Zoey Cane Belyea, Citizen University

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Funding for the CoGen Solutions to Social Isolation & Loneliness has been provided by the RRF Foundation for Aging, The Eisner Foundation, and The Ares Charitable Foundation.