Link Generations

Connecting Youth and Older Adults

In The News

Connections | June 2019

By

Lori Marks, PHD

Lori Marks, PHD

Founder and Director of Link Generations

Connections | June 2019

Annual Picnic Knocks it Out of the Park

Link Generations knocked it out of the park June 6 at opening dayof the Bethesda Big Train’s season, when the home team literally knocked one out of the park for a homerun and 8-0 win. Link Generations volunteers were winners, too. More than 60 Link Generations supporters came to the event, including middle and high school volunteers and older adults from the community. It was a multi-generational event with picnickers ranging in age from 10 months to 90 years.

Link Generations was showcased at the game as one of Montgomery County’s nonprofits. See us throwing out the first pitch in the picture below. Thank you to all who donated to Link Generations and supported this important mission to connect youth and older adults in the community. We are excited to start our third summer of programming Tuesdays and Thursdays at Ingleside at King Farm and Wednesdays at Charles E. Smith Communities. Contact lori@linkgenerations.org for more information.

First Pitch with linkgenerations.org
Big Train Table with linkgenerations.org

Share this post

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on pinterest
Share on print
Share on email

3rd Annual Picnic & Big Train Baseball Game

By

June 6, 2019 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

$25

Take Me Out To the Ball Game!

Join Link Generations 3rd Annual Picnic & Bethesda Big Train Baseball Game

5:30 pm Picnic
6:50 pm Link Generations First Pitch

Tickets: $25- Purchase now via the button below.

Or Send checks to Link Generations:
7979 Old Georgetown Rd., 10th Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814

Shirley Povich Field, 10600 Westlake Drive, Bethesda, MD 20852

10600 Westlake Drive
Bethesda, MD 20852 United States + Google Map

Lori Marks, PhD

301-365-2218

linkgenerations.org

Donations benefit Link Generations, Inc., 501(c)(3) and are tax deductible. Link Generations connects adolescents with older adults through social and educational programs to promote emotional and psychological health for both populations.

Google Calendar
iCal Export

Connections | May 2019

By

Third Year is a Charm

Take Me Out to the Ballgame! Thanks to all who have already bought their tickets for Link Generations 3rd Annual Picnic at the Bethesda Big Train Baseball Game. Tickets are still available for this year’s event Thursday, June 6, 5:30pm, Rain or Shine, Shirley Povich Field, 10300 Westlake Drive, Bethesda, MD 20852. Tickets are $25, free for volunteers, which includes the picnic and watching the summer collegiate baseball game. This is a fun event for the whole family. Bring your grandparents and make it an intergenerational celebration. Kids get to run the bases!

Donations to Link Generations support our mission of connecting youth and older adults. Link Generations is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax deductible. If you can’t make it to the event, please consider making a contribution to support tickets for volunteers who will be honored at the picnic. Thank you to the Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation for supporting this event!

Big-Leage-Baseball

Spring Programs Connect Volunteers Ages 11 to 103

A 92 year old resident summed up Link Generations programs: “This program works. It may not always work the way you think it will, but it always works.”

This is how it works:

15 Newport Academy students shared their love for music with 10 residents at Ingleside at King Farm. Intergenerational groups selected songs from different decades to share together and discovered that themes in music are long lasting. Songs like “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars and Elvis’ “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” inspired the group to sing and tap along to the beat. One student remarked, “It is great to see the language of music through the generations. This is really special.”

McLean Music

Link Generations worked with Charity Connect to host McLean School’s Day of Service at Ingleside at King Farm. 24 McLean School seniors spent time with 15 Ingleside seniors, learning about independent living, assisted living, careers in aging, and the benefits of spending time together. One student commented, “Sometimes giving people your time is all that’s needed to make a difference.”

Dance Steps

Middle and high school volunteers met at Charles E. Smith Life Communities Ring House for 7 weekly Link Generations Group meetings and 4 monthly programs. Participants of all ages enjoyed painting pictures of cherry blossoms, teaching each other how to play UNO, dancing to songs from different decades, and learning about each other’s histories. One new student was thrilled to talk to a 103-year-old. The student said, “WOW!” He couldn’t believe the resident was able to tell him about the Great Depression, something he studied in school. Another resident joining Link Generations for the first time said, “I enjoyed this. We all got to learn something new.”

Cherry Blossoms

Club Connections

Recruiting Link Generations Club leaders: now is the time to start next year’s club at your school to plan intergenerational 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.

Upcoming Programs

2019 Link Generations Summer Storytelling Series

Link Generations is running its third Summer Storytelling Series at Ingleside at King Farm Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:30-4pm, June 25-August 8. Middle school and high school student volunteers meet Tuesdays for training and education about principles of aging, best practices for working with older adults, and leadership skills. Student volunteers lead intergenerational programs Thursdays with Ingleside residents. Student volunteers must commit to attending a minimum of four weeks.

Dates:

  • June 25
  • June 27
  • July 9
  • July 11
  • July 16
  • July 18
  • July 23
  • July 25
  • July 30
  • August 1
  • August 6
  • August 8

2019-2020 Monthly Intergenerational Program at Ring House

Planning for the next school year? Middle school and high school students lead monthly intergenerational activities at Charles E. Smith Life Communities Ring House Sundays, 1-3pm.

Dates for next year:

  • Sept. 15
  • Oct. 20
  • Nov. 17
  • Dec. 15
  • Jan. 12
  • Feb. 9
  • March 15
  • April 19

Connections | September 2018

By

We Made the News!

Link Generations Summer Storytelling Series at Ingleside at King Farm was featured on local TV news. The program grew from 30 participants in 2017 to over 45 in 2018. Participants of all ages enjoyed learning from each other about history and about today.

One student volunteer stated, “I realized there are a lot of similarities between us and the age gap isn’t as big as I thought. The Ingleside residents taught me about stories during World War II, language barriers, and technological discoveries. They connected to practically all of my school classes with their experiences.”

One of the older adult participants said, “The students learned that we were more active. That’s the difference between having fun times indoors compared to being outside. We played outside on the street. We didn’t have a TV keeping us inside. They were surprised to find out how active we were.”

Link Generations Story Telling

Club Connections: Looking for Club Leaders

Recruiting Link Generations Club leaders: start a club at your school to plan intergenerational 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.

Upcoming 2018-2019 Link Generations Dates at Ring House

Sunday Dates 1pmThursday Planning Sessions 7pm
Oct. 14Oct. 11
Nov. 4Nov. 1
Dec. 16Dec. 13
Jan. 13Jan. 10
Feb. 10Feb. 7
March 10March 7
April 7April 4
May 5May 2

Contact Lori@linkgenerations.org for more information about upcoming programs.

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!

About Link Generations

Child and senior citizen completing a puzzle

Link Generations, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization focused on creating social and educational programs that connect older adults with adolescents to promote emotional and psychological health for both populations.  Learn more at www.linkgenerations.org

Connections | July 2018

By

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!

link generations plays baseball

Graduation Celebration at Ring House

Link Generations Making Cards

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.”

High School and Senior Citizens club

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.