Friendships are finally getting their due. Once relegated to a distant third position after life partners and children, a spate of new books are spotlighting the importance of friends. And research shows that people with close friends are healthier – both emotionally...
Lyiam Galo is the co-director of Generations United for Service, a program of the Northern Santa Barbara County United Way and one of 10 awardees of the CoGen Challenge to Advance Economic Opportunity. Watch for interviews with all 10 of these innovators bringing...
E.N. West is the co-founder and lead organizer of the Faith Land Initiative of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, one of 10 awardees of the CoGen Challenge to Advance Economic Opportunity. Watch for interviews with all 10 of these innovators bringing older and...
Maree Beers is the co-director of Empowering Tillamook Country through Financial Wellness, a program of Urban Rural Action, and one of 10 awardees of the CoGen Challenge to Advance Economic Opportunity. Watch for interviews with all 10 of these innovators bringing...
Photo caption: Generations Serving Together, Fresno working together to develop lesson plans for the young adults at Fresno EOC LCC YouthBuild Charter School.
What is your program called, and how does it work?
Our program is called Generations Serving Together, Fresno. It is an intergenerational mental wellness team. Older and younger volunteers come together as a team to create lesson plans that focus on emotional literacy, coping skills and identifying feelings. We’ve based it on the 87 emotions that Brené Brown includes in her book, Atlas of the Heart.
Many of the people aged 55+ are part of the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program. Those aged 21 to 35 are a mix of college students and community members. By coming together to create these lesson plans, they’re creating meaningful connections within and across generations. As a result, they’re better able to show up for the young people they serve.
Right now, these intergenerational teams are tea ching youth ages 7 to 20 at two Boys and Girls Clubs and at the Fresno Economic Opportunities Local Conservation Corps YouthBuild Charter School.
Why did you want to be part of Generations Serving Together, bringing cogeneration into national service?
I’m excited by the opportunity to bridge the gaps between generations and create a cogenerative approach to our work. Oftentimes, we see one generation serving the other. But with cogeneration, we recognize that different generations have different, but equal, strengths, experiences and stories. That creates a different mindset that’s helping us bring people together to better serve our community.
What problem is your program trying to solve?
Mental health and loneliness. Post pandemic, our most vulnerable populations — young people and older ones — are experiencing more loneliness and other mental health problems. Through this program and the connections that take place, we’re creating a safe environment and a sense of belonging for everyone.
What’s the value of a cogenerational approach?
You get the best of both worlds. With our older generation, we see experiences and wisdom and so much knowledge. With the younger generation, they have a strong drive to learn and bring innovative, timely ideas. Together, they make a powerful team that creates change.
What’s your big audacious vision? If you succeed, what change will we see?
My vision is to provide a feeling of belonging to those who have felt isolated. To show how young people and older adults in our community are creating something new and transformative – a safe space for everyone to experience joy and sadness. The ultimate goal is to reduce loneliness, improve mental health, and strengthen connection and belonging.
How can people get involved with your work?
You can contact me directly at [email protected] or visit the Fresno EOC Foster Grandparent Program website. Our social media presence will be coming soon!
What are you most proud of in your life?
I’m so proud that I’m in a position to be able to do the work that I do and have the most amazing supportive team with me.