2nd Annual Bethesda Big Train Baseball Nonprofits Night

Hats off to Link Generations volunteers who were honored at the 2nd Annual Link Generations Picnic at the Bethesda Big Train Baseball game on June 20th. Sixty Link Generations supporters watched Churchill Club president Melissa Marks throw out the first pitch. Thank you to all who contributed and came out in the midst of a rainstorm!

Graduation Celebration at Ring House

Link Generations student volunteers and Ring House residents celebrated the culminating session of the 2017-2018 Link Generations programs with stories about graduation. Three high school seniors were honored with guidance and advice from the Ring House seniors:
-“It doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s how you are old.”
-“Having come full circle through all the phases of graduating, I now look forward to beginning again!”
-“Be open to new ideas! Keep on learning! Give back to your community! Toss your hat high!”
-“Don’t worry if your jobs are small and your rewards are few, remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you!”
– “Good luck on adulthood. You will have more freedom but more responsibilities.”
– “Always think positive! Have music and art in your life. Enjoy each day.”

The 25 participants shared traditions and signed graduation cards for each other to commemorate the day. your favorite song guide you.

Club Connections

Link Generations Club at Gaithersburg High School finished its first year with plans to resume club activities during the 2018-2019 school year. Picture below shows club members and teacher advisor modeling Link Generations baseball caps.

Recruiting Link Generations Club Leaders: Start a club at your school to plan inter-generational activities for you and your friends. Earn SSL hours, practice communication skills, build your college resume, meet interesting people of all ages, and have fun!

Contact Lori@linkgenerations.org for more information on how to start a club.

New Years Vision Board Session at Ring House

A group of 25 student volunteers and residents met at Ring House on January 7 to talk about setting goals and create vision boards for 2018. One resident expressed the importance of looking toward the future “now more than ever” and urged us all to focus on the “usage of time rather than the passage of time.” Themes included learning new technology, trying new hobbies, socializing with friends, and moving for physical fitness. Another resident told her kids not to visit that day so she wouldn’t have to miss the Link Generations program. She loves talking to teens who “make her feel young again.

Link Generations Research Outcomes

Statements by participants during the intergenerational discussions show that older adults feel a sense of purpose from these interactions.

“The program is about sharing experiences of different ages and from different cultures. That’s how people learn to understand each other. We need that, especially today.”

“I love coming here. Talking to teens makes me feel young again.”

Statements from student volunteers demonstrate improved attitudes toward older adults and increased comfort in working with them.

“We have a lot in common,” said one student. A resident talked about coming to this country because of war. She felt abandoned and alone. “I can relate to this.”

“We all felt nervous and awkward the first day. Over time it got better.”

Initial survey data demonstrates improvement in young people’s attitudes toward aging and comfort in working with older adults. Student participants who completed pre-and post-survey data reported increased comfort in spending time with older adults after the program. They were also more likely to disagree with the statements: most older people are alike; and as people grow older, their intelligence declines.