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Across the U.S., community leaders are using what are known as “intergenerational strategies” to address the harmful effects of social isolation, an increasingly acknowledged public-health threat. Intergenerational innovators headlined the most recent monthly meeting of the Healthy Places by Design Local Leaders for Socially Connected Communities Network.

Why intergenerational strategies?

Intergenerational strategies pack a multiplier effect when it comes to building socially connected communities. By purposefully bringing together people of different generations, these strategies often create unique bonds. At their best, intergenerational strategies lead to spaces, programs, and decision-making processes that blend the wisdom of multiple generations to create healthier, more inclusive, and socially connected communities for all of us.

why we're focused on them

Healthy Places by Design is focused on strategies for socially connected communities because social isolation—the lack of significant social connections interpersonally and within a community—is linked to an increased risk of death and is exacerbated by life events experienced by many people, including becoming a caregiver, having a baby, long-term illness or disability, and moving to a new place. Impacts are often hardest on those who do not feel that they belong to a majority social group due to their gender identity, race, ethnicity, or other factors.  Heathy Places by Design’s Socially Connected Communities: Solutions for Social Isolation report notes that, “The rise of social isolation is not a personal choice or individual problem, but one that is rooted in community design, social norms, and systemic injustices.” This is why we’re convening a Local Leaders Network for local government, nonprofit, and other leaders to share stories from their communities and explore ways to infuse community strategies for social connection in their work.

The September meeting of the Local Leaders group featured insights from three communities that are deeply engaged in creating intergenerational connections. Here are the highlights:

public art and park improvements in honolulu

Public art is a vessel for intergenerational connection, according to Abbey Seitz, with Community Planning LLC, consultant for Better Block Hawaiʻi and the Trust for Public Land on the ʻAʻala Park project in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.

ʻAʻala Park borders historic Chinatown near downtown Honolulu. The seven-acre space is within a 10-minute walk for about 20,000 people. Built in the early 1900’s, the park has been a place for recreation as well as political rallies, community sports leagues, and cultural festivals.

In 2021, the Trust of Public Land began engaging residents and partner agencies in a visioning process to improve ʻAʻala Park. They also began to plan public art improvements to celebrate the park’s history, improve the pedestrian experience, and catalyze interest in art programs and events at the park.

Through a community-wide call for artists, the Kamehameha Schools Mural Club and local artist Sergio Garzon were selected to design and install more than 12,000 square feet of murals at ʻAʻala. Their art will grace the park’s basketball courts, sidewalk, restroom, seating areas, and the skate park, with culturally and historically meaningful imagery that was voted on by park users and community members.

“I’d really encourage everyone – especially [those with] a limited budget but big, blank spaces – to think about these potential spaces as a way to bring together folks to understand a shared vision and to beautify the spaces,” said Seitz, who described how community voices are leading to art that will create a sense of connection and belonging across generations. “It’s a great way to engage folks of all ages.”

Connecting Elder to Young in NYC

The New York City-based organization DOROT is laser focused on reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults through intergenerational programs. For 45-years, DOROT has adapted and expanded their intergenerational programming and now engages over 6,200 volunteers from 41 states and 2 countries/territories serves more than 6,000 older adults from 36 states.

Judith Turner, Senior Program Officer for Volunteer Services and Intergenerational Programming, highlighted how her organization develops partnerships to host intergenerational programs in public spaces such as local libraries, farmers’ markets, and schools.

Turner described how bringing younger people and older adults together at a local library fostered interpersonal connections, as expected. But this program also changed the young peoples’ relationship with the public library, creating a sense that the library was now a part of their life. Another partnership with a local farmers’ market had a similar impact: Older adults and teens involved in the program built important connections, and the experience transformed the teens’ relationship with the farmers’ market.

Takeaway: Hosting intergenerational programs in public spaces provides life-changing connections with other people AND with public spaces in one’s community.

Partnerships are a key ingredient to DOROT’s success. Turner recommended maintaining strong relationships with local politicians to advocate for intergenerational strategies. She also shared “ABC’s” for developing partnerships for intergenerational strategies, stressing the importance of being clear up front about your goals, a shared vision, and each partners’ responsibilities.

Living Well in San Diego County

During the past 20 years, the County of San Diego has advocated for intergenerational connections through a variety of strategies, including the building of partnerships and programs, funding dedicated staff positions, and supporting intergenerational councils to engage residents and organizations. As an integral part of Live Well San Diego, the County’s intergenerational efforts have included Intergenerational Games events, mentoring and dance programs, gardening, cooking classes, and more.

Pam Plimpton, Intergenerational Coordinator at Aging & Independence Services within the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, reflected on the County’s enduring commitment and summed it up:

“Our leaders understand that, when you bring people of different generations together, it not only benefits the direct participants, but it benefits our community.”

Plimpton has served in her role since 2014. She rallies coworkers and partners to infuse an intergenerational focus within their work, noting that many partners innately understand the value in connecting people from different generations. Her department offers support to organizations to implement intergenerational programs and strategies, both through technical assistance as well as direct funding through contracts.

The County of San Diego created Intergenerational Councils in 2015 to engage people and partners more closely in different parts of their large and diverse county. The Councils provided an opportunity for people to share best practices and meet potential partners.

In 2020, the pandemic demanded an “all hands” response by the County, and staff supporting the Intergenerational Councils were reassigned to assist with the COVID crisis. It is not clear if the Councils will be resumed, but Plimpton is hopeful. “Councils really are a wonderful way to spur collective action” she says, encouraging others to invite community members of all ages into the “dreaming and scheming” of what you want to do in your community.

Join Us / Connect with Each other

Healthy Places by Design is interested in what organizations and communities from across the country are doing to support intergenerational connections while creating socially connected communities. If you have an example to share with us, or you want to learn more about what others are doing, email us today.

And join the more than 300 people in the Local Leaders Network for Socially Connected Communities to learn together and share insights as we work to create healthier and more inclusive communities.

For more information on upcoming topics and schedules, or to join the next Local Leaders call, please email Gabriella Peterson at gabriellap@healthyplacesbydesign.org.

Resources for this session are now available including a recording and presentation slides.

Photo Credit: Boz Schurr, Kumu of the Kamehameha School Mural Club