The InterGen Community Center Initiative: Bridging the Gap Between Generations

UNH is changing what it means to age by promoting community-based programs where generations can come together to learn, create, and be civically active.

The United States is in the midst of a loneliness epidemic. Older people and younger people are particularly impacted by a growing sense of isolation. In response, the Institute for Empowered Aging has deepened its focus on intergenerational programming, which has been shown to reverse the negative mental and physical health effects that stem from loneliness and social isolation.

In a multi-year partnership with three settlement houses, UNH has developed tools, resources, and a new professional development curriculum to build the capacity of staff at settlement houses interested in making intergenerational programming a core program element in their work. UNH is working with an evaluator from Stockton University to study the impact of this initiative on participants. Please contact Terry Kaelber at UNH to learn more.

View videos from our settlement house partners on the intergenerational work they're doing at their settlement houses here.

To find more tools and resources please check out our Intergenerational Hub.