“Make New Friends and Keep the Old, One is Silver and the Other Gold”
I had the honor of achieving my Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest level a Girl Scout can reach, through my Link Generations project. The Gold Award integrates leadership and collaboration skills to create a sustainable project that benefits a Girl Scout’s broader community.
As a Girl Scout for the past 10 years, I kept in mind that my journey was culminating in this final project, and I wanted it to be special. When I started volunteering at Link Generations at the end of my freshman year (2 years ago), I knew I could make this organization special in my own community.
Inspired by this mission, I launched a chapter of Link Generations at my high school as my Gold Award project. From securing school approval and recruiting members to organizing training sessions and leading monthly intergenerational activities at Arbor Terrace Fulton, an assisted living facility near my school, I worked to build a strong, sustainable program.
A key aspect of this award is addressing a larger root cause and establishing a national or global link. Link Generations’ mission perfectly aligned with this goal, reinforcing the value of connecting youth and older adults.
The most rewarding part of the Gold Award was the final reflection: through this process, I truly appreciated Link Generations’ mission, and how our efforts have paid off in valuable intergenerational connections.
One of my favorite memories was our February 2025 program, where my club partnered with AARP’s Wish of a Lifetime in their project Cupid Crew, delivering 75 roses to Arbor Terrace for Valentine’s Day! With a record turnout of 25 students, I watched as new volunteers eagerly engaged with residents – not just delivering roses, but also sharing heartfelt conversations and forming genuine connections. Seeing these interactions unfold in real time reaffirmed the meaningful impact of intergenerational relationships.
Looking back, my experiences with Link Generations, far from complete, have shaped my perspectives on community, compassion, leadership, and the value of human connection. I am incredibly proud and grateful to have made a lasting impact in my community, hopefully inspiring others to launch chapters of Link Generations in their own communities.
If you’d like to learn more about Link Generations and starting a Link Generations Club at your school, contact .
