Want to connect across generations? Join us:

Of all the things that divide us, we see intergenerational connection as the ultimate “short bridge,” in the words of UC Berkeley professor john a. powell. Crossing it brings opportunities to transcend the more difficult divides of race, culture and politics. In the aftermath of the election, we’re doubling down on our efforts to build bridges across generational divides – and asking for your support.

Now’s the time. Researchers say we’re living in the most age-diverse society in human history, with a quarter of the population under 20, a quarter over 60, and the rest in between. At the same time, we’re arguably the most age-segregated nation in history.

Our institutions, infrastructure, and policies are literally designed to separate us – often for the sake of efficiency – with young people in schools, middle-aged people in workplaces, and older adults in senior centers, retirement communities, and nursing homes.

This segregation could spell disaster, and many think it will. But we both began our careers as young people dedicated to collaborating with elders. Intergenerational interactions transformed our thinking, our work, our friendships and our lives. It’s why we believe cogeneration is so urgently needed now. And we’re not alone.

We’re putting cogeneration on the map. This year, we’ve been asked to speak at venues including SXSW, the Aspen Ideas Festival, AARP, the American Political Science Association, the American Press Institute, and the Democracy Futures Project.

Our team has spoken at universities from NYU to Stanford, companies from Salesforce to PUMA, and on podcasts from Slate to Inspired Money to The Long View. And our work has been covered by major media, from NPR to the Wall Street Journal, Vox to Fast Company.

We’re building the field. Our webinars, 21 this year alone, have attracted more than 10,000 registrants. Our email list topped 45,000. And our first Innovators’ Community of Practice included representatives of 167 organizations from 8 countries, 30 states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. They came eager to learn more about cogenerational strategies for reducing social isolation and loneliness, learnings they’ll share with the 230,000 people they serve.

We’re moving forward together. In the coming year, with your help, we will:

• Continue speaking out about the power of cogeneration, and hosting communities of practice to deepen the work of hundreds more innovators. 
• Publish all we’re learning about cogeneration as a solution to the epidemic of social isolation and loneliness.
• Follow up our study asking young leaders what they want from older allies by asking older leaders what they want from younger allies.
• Invest deeply in teens and the leading role they can play in moving our country toward cogenerational collaboration.
• Continue to collaborate with social entrepreneurs who have big ideas to age-integrate higher education and national service.
• Unlock the power of music to bring generations together, the potential for faith-based leaders and congregations to lead the way toward a cogenerational future, and the value of intergenerational social capital to open doors to economic opportunity.

Can you help bring generations together with a donation today?

This holiday season, in this divided nation, we’re grateful to know that we’re doing this critical work together. It’s the only way forward.

Marc Freedman is the founder and Co-CEO of CoGenerate
Eunice Lin Nichols is Co-CEO of CoGenerate