The Program of Distinction and Program of Merit designations are based on the criteria that underpin the effectiveness of any intergenerational program and are intended to recognize the rich diversity among programs that involve older and younger generations.
Applications for 2024 are now closed. Newly awarded applications will be announced in early 2025!
Intergenerational programs are defined here as programs, policies, and practices that increase cooperation, interaction, and exchange between people of different generations, allowing them to share their talents and resources, and support each other in relationships that benefit both the individuals and their community.
There are two levels of recognition:
- Programs of Merit excel beyond the minimum standard of effectiveness.
- Programs of Distinction meet a higher standard of innovation, leadership, and/or best practices and develop greater confidence in program sustainability and capacity to achieve targeted outcomes.
Benefits*
Programs that are selected to receive either designation will receive:
- National recognition for outstanding work, including publicity through Generations United’s website, e-newsletter, and social media outlets.
- Participation and acknowledgment in a virtual showcase of selected programs.
- Letter of support from Generations United, upon request.
- The official logo for use on websites and other materials; and
- A certificate recognizing this accomplishment.
As a recognized Program of Distinction or Program of Merit, recipients represent the highest standards of intergenerational programs and will become a part of a distinguished national network of programs.
If you need assistance or would like to submit a hard copy of your application, please contact gu@gu.org.
*Once awarded, designations are renewed annually by completing a simple online update form.
Current Programs of Distinction:
- AARP Foundation Experience Corps, Washington D.C
- Adam and Matan Adelson Multigenerational Program at Hebrew SeniorLife, Deadham, MA
- AGE to age, Northland Foundation, Duluth, MN
- A Little Help for Older Adults, Denver, CO
- United HomeCare AVUS Connect Tech Pals, Miami, FL
- Bridge Meadows, Portland, OR
- NEW! NYU Center for Health and Aging Innovation, New York, NY
- NEW! Concerts in Motion, New York, NY
- DOROT, New York, NY
- Elder Service Partner Program at Messiah University Department of Human Development and Family Science, Mechanicsburg, PA
- Gaithersburg Beloved Community Initiative, Gaithersburg, MD
- Grandpas United, City of White Plains Youth Bureau, White Plains, NY
- Hearts and Minds Activity Center, Intergenerational Program, San Jose, CA
- Housing Opportunities & Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E) Intergenerational Housing, Chicago, IL
- JCA Heyman Interages Center, Rockville, MD
- Jefferson Area Board for Aging Friends in Schools Helping (FISH) Mentor Program, Charlottesville, VA
- Juliette Fowler Communities Generation2Generation, Dallas, TX
- Kendal at Oberlin, Oberlin, OH
- Lake Shore Family Center, Irving, NY
- LBFE Boston CitySites, Boston, MA
- NEW! Legacy Letters, AgePRIDE at the Goldsen Institute-University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- LinkAGES Colorado, Pine, CO
- Link Generations, Bethesda, MD
- NEW! Lives Well Lived: Generations, San Luis Obispo, CA
- Lori’s Hands, Newark, DE
- Lutheran Home Children’s Center, Wauwatosa, WI
- Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) Volunteer Program, Woodland Hills, CA
- ONEgeneration, Van Nuys, CA
- Pear Suite Pear Pals (Virtual Platform)
- NEW! Pillars of Prospect Park, Minneapolis, MN
- Sages & Seekers, Los Angeles, CA
- Scripps Gerontology Center Opening Minds through Art (OMA), Oxford, OH
- Senior Adults for Greater Education (SAGE), Newtown, PA
- Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, Inc. Health Buddies, Tampa, FL
- Sharing Teens and Elders Project (S.T.E.P), Olympia, WA
- SMART Reading, Portland, OR
- Social Call, a Front Porch Community Service, Glendale, CA
- St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, Milwaukee, WI
- TimeSlips Creative Storytelling, Inc., Shorewood, WI
- NEW! The Treehouse Foundation, Easthampton, MA
- VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Intergenerational Program, New York, NY
Current Programs of Merit:
- Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. Adopt-a-Senior Program, San Antonio, TX
- Charles City AmeriCorps Senior Foster Grandparent Program, Charles City, IA
- NEW! Connecting Generations – STFCC, Mableton, GA
- DreamCatchers Foundation, Scottsdale, AZ (Chapters Nationwide)
- NEW! Fair Lawn Youth Volunteer Corps, Fair Lawn, New Jersey
- NEW! L.A. Works, Los Angeles, CA
- NEW! The Legacy Project, MA
- NEW! Montessori Intergenerational Learning Communities – DBA Early Childhood Service Corps, Denver, CO
- Music and Memoryat Kavod Senior Life, Denver, CO
- Partners in Rhyme, Cambridge, MA
- San Diego Oasis Generations Together Summer Camp, San Diego, CA
- Tuskegee Youth Readers TIHS Class of 1974 ReadtoME Program, Macon County, AL
- Wesley Family Services Foster Grandparent Program, Wilkinsburg, PA
Pre-Application Checklist
- Does your program address documented needs?
- Are your intergenerational activities tied to program goals and participant interests and input?
- Do you offer formal training/orientation for staff and participants?
- Are your intergenerational programs coordinated by staff or volunteers knowledgeable about all participants?
- Do you collect evaluation data from your program and use it to improve your program?
- Is your intergenerational program supported by organizational leadership and community partners?
If you answered “yes” to ALL of these questions, we recommend you complete the application for the Program of Distinction. If you are still working on some of these areas, we recommend you apply for the Program of Merit.