Purpose Prize

Marc Freedman Portrait

The Latest from CoGenerate

Got a Digital Illustration that Shows Generations Working Together?

Got a Digital Illustration that Shows Generations Working Together?

CoGenerate recently teamed up with Fine Acts, a global creative studio for social impact, to launch an open call for illustrations showing generations working together for change.  We’re looking for illustrations that show older and younger people coming together to...

A New Conversation About Service That Crosses Generations

A New Conversation About Service That Crosses Generations

Can a single meal begin to bridge divides? Back in January, two major partners in CoGenerate’s work teamed up to find out. On the MLK Day of Service, Generations Over Dinner and AmeriCorps joined with senior living communities across the country to host more than 100...

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Charlotte Holstein

FOCUS Greater Syracuse
Purpose Prize Fellow 2006

Tapping community creativity to impact change

Charlotte (Chuckie) Holstein, 80, created the nonprofit F.O.C.U.S. (Forging Our Community’s United Strength) in 1998 to engage local citizens and organizations to address the major economic, social, and environmental issues facing the Syracuse, NY region. With the vision and input of thousands of people, 87 goals were initiated, all germane to building a sustainable community. To meet the challenges facing the area, citizens prepared strategic plans of action to: 1) improve the water quality of a significantly polluted lake, 2) revitalize an economically depressed downtown area; 3) promote community preparedness for the impact on municipalities resulting from the large numbers of retiring baby boomers; and 4) create a free, 10-week “Citizens’ Academy” to encourage civic engagement and an understanding of how government works. Since then, the plans have begun to be implemented, improvements are underway, and civic engagement has significantly increased as a result. Through its work and its partnerships across the community, F.O.C.U.S. enables citizens to become increasingly involved in improving the quality of life and economic future of the area.