Our Story
In a time when social isolation has reached epidemic levels, how can we forge connections across generations that foster health, well-being, and sense of purpose for all?
In the spring of 2023, an intergenerational team of college students and cross-sector leaders engaged in a 10-week design sprint to seek out an answer to this vital question.
Connect& is the culmination of their efforts, and so much more.
Our Mission
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We break down generational barriers and combat loneliness by creating meaningful connections between people of all ages through shared experiences.
Our Vision
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We envision a world where young and older adults come together to inspire, learn, and uplift each other, fostering an environment of understanding, empathy, and lasting friendships.
Through our research, interviews, and feedback, it became clear that the most sustainable solution was to focus on community building and connections, or put simply, to lead with the heart.
Connect&'s success will rely on community building as the foundation of its design in order to create a space for these interactions to flourish. Through collaboration, and careful listening, that Connect&’s structure does this while solving a number of logistical difficulties and building a culture of inclusiveness across ages.
As the number of older adults in America is growing by the day, intergenerational connections are more important than ever. Americans are living longer, and the country’s largest generation, the baby boomers, is entering into retirement. Continuing to segregate communities by age will only worsen a list of social problems troubling the country and amount to an incredible waste of human resources.
But there's good news, too. Now more than ever, people want to build intergenerational connections, to work together to address social problems, and to reap the benefits that these relationships offer. Prospective participants are already seeking out intergenerational communities - they just need the opportunity.
That’s where Connect& comes in.
Right Now:
Connect& is conducting pilot programs with like-minded partner organizations across the country. Through this phase, which aims to engage 50 - 100 participants, we will evaluate the program's impact by assessing participants' sense of connectedness, optimism, and hope. Join us to play a vital role in enabling these pilots and proof of concept to succeed.
Hannan Center of Detroit relies on Connect& to facilitate three sessions on storytelling to kick off their intergenerational program between a local high school and retirees.
Blue Zones of Florida uses Connect& to create a healthy environment between a local university and elders through a ten-week program using AI to co-create a children’s story.
With My Village Project, Connect& has co-created a project for multiple generations to identify community gaps and generate innovative solutions using our program framework.
YMCA Florida’s Brown Family Center uses Connect& to promote relationships between students and elders through programs like storytelling, painting, video games, and more!
AARP Florida celebrates their members' unique skills by sponsoring Connect& sessions on line dancing, cooking, and more, in turn deepening their existing relationship with __________, nonprofit partner serving high school girls _______.
Join Our Mission
In our startup phase, as we strive to reach our audience and realize our goal of helping people of all ages across the country, your support is the key to our success. Click below to explore the ways that you can join our efforts as a participant, a leader, or a sponsor to help make our vision a reality.