(WASHINGTON, DC December 13, 2022)– Generations United has announced twenty intergenerational programs that have been selected to receive the prestigious Intergenerational Program Certification. These programs are all creatively and effectively engaging younger and older people in activities that strengthen relationships between the generations.

“We congratulate these programs for earning these distinctions and their dedication to high-quality intergenerational practices,” said Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United. “Achieving this recognition is a major accomplishment. The Intergenerational Program Certification is the only U.S. ‘seal of approval’ for intergenerational programs and the application and review process are rigorous.”

Eleven of the selected programs received the Program of Distinction designation, which recognizes that the awarded program meets the highest standards of intergenerational effectiveness and provides great confidence in the program’s sustainability and capacity to achieve targeted outcomes. These eleven designees join the prestigious ranks of twenty-three previous Program of Distinction recipients who successfully completed the process of renewal this year.

• A Little Help for Older Adults, Denver, CO

• AVUS Connect Tech Pals, Miami, FL

• Front Porch Communities and Services Social Call, Glendale, CA

• Grandpas United, City of White Plains Youth Bureau, White Plains, NY

• Hearts and Minds Activity CenterIntergenerational Program, San Jose, CA

• Housing Opportunities & Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E) Intergenerational Housing, Chicago, IL

• Juliette Fowler Communities Generation2Generation, Dallas, TX

• LBFE Boston CitySites, Boston, MA

• Lori’s Hands, Newark, DE

• Pear Suite Pear Pals (Virtual Platform)

• Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, Inc. Health Buddies, Tampa Bay, FL

Generations United also recognized nine programs as Program of Merit designees. A new designation in 2022, Programs of Merit meet the minimum standards of intergenerational effectiveness, and are actively working towards exemplary status.

• Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. Adopt-a-Senior Program, San Antonio, TX

• Charles City AmeriCorps Senior Foster Grandparent Program, Charles City, IA

• DreamCatchers Foundation, Scottsdale, AZ (Chapters Nationwide)

• San Diego Oasis Generations Together Summer Camp, San Diego, CA

• Legacy Letters, AgePRIDE at the Goldsen Institute-University of Washington, Seattle, WA

• Music and Memoryat Kavod Senior Life, Denver, CO

• Partners in Rhyme, Cambridge, MA

• Tuskegee Youth Readers TIHS Class of 1974 ReadtoME Program, Macon County, AL

• Wesley Family Services Foster Grandparent Program, Wilkinsburg, PA

Generations United launched the Intergenerational Program Certification in 2010 to recognize excellence while celebrating the rich diversity among intergenerational programs. An outside panel of experts selects designees based on evidence-based standards for quality programming, such as preparing participants, staff training, partner engagement, and use of evaluation data.

Intergenerational programs are those which increase cooperation, interaction, and exchange between people of different generations, allowing them to share their talents and resources and support each other in ongoing relationships that benefit both the individuals and their community.

Learn more about what it means to be a Program of Distinction and other programs that have received the designation.

Originally published in Generations United