Intergenerational Community Building
September 15, 2022, 11 am – 1 pm via Zoom Webinar
Bringing generations together is one of the best ways to build community. A growing body of research demonstrates that intergenerational programs promote health, well-being, and meaningful relationships that enhance participants’ lives.
Our community demographics are transitioning. In the United States, by 2030, 72 million people will be 65 and older, with 80 million being children and youth. By 2040, 40% of our population will be older adults and youth. It is essential to come together to invest in the collaboration of many ages, bringing together experience, wisdom, and fresh perspectives for the benefit of all.
Our next Northland Diversity in Aging Series event focusing on the importance of intergenerational community building will be held through Zoom Webinar on September 15, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. We are excited to welcome Donna Butts, Executive Director of Generations United, to speak about the value of bringing generations together. This event will also feature Zane Bail, COO of the Northland Foundation, Kathy Hermes, Youth Services Program Coordinator for Lutheran Social Services, and other local experts who will present on intergenerational programs in the Northland.
No cost to attend
Open to all community members, including students, professionals, and caregivers
Features ASL interpreters
September 15, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm through Zoom Webinar
Presenters:
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Donna Butts is the Executive Director of Generations United, a position she has held since 1997. Generations United’s mission is to improve the lives of children, youth and older adults through intergenerational collaboration, public policies and programs for the enduring benefit of all. Previously she served in leadership positions at several youth serving organizations including the YWCA, National 4-H Council, and Covenant House.
An internationally known speaker, author and advocate, Butts frequently addresses intergenerational connections, grandparents raising grandchildren and policies effective across the lifespan. She has served on five United Nations expert panels on intergenerational and family issues. She served as an at large delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging and attended the 2015 conference. Her commentary has appeared in, among others, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Christian Science Monitor and the Wall Street Journal. She has been interviewed on national and local radio and television including the TODAY Show, National Public Radio and ABC News.
Butts is a graduate of Stanford University’s Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders. She was recognized three years in a row by The Nonprofit Times as one of the Top 50 most powerful and influential nonprofit executives in the US. In 2015 she was named one of the Top 50 Influencers in Aging by Next Avenue. Under her leadership, Generations United received the 2015 Eisner Prize for Excellence in Intergenerational. In 2017 she was honored by the International Federation for Family Development. Butts is a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and the editorial board of the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships: Programs, Policy, and Research.
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Kathy Hermes works for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota in youth programming. They are the coordinator of Together for Youth – a social support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, two spirit, and allied youths. They also coordinate the free Teen Health Center where they perform HIV testing and work to reduce COVID vaccination hesitance among teens and young adults. Kathy has a B.S. degree from St. Cloud State University in Science Education and was a high school Life Science teacher for nineteen years.
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Zane Bail provides strategic leadership for a portfolio of programs and initiatives for the Northland Foundation. She has thirty plus years of experience in the areas of community organizing, program design, evaluation, early childhood, intergenerational programming, and aging. Zane joined the Northland Foundation in 1997 and led the regional research study that led to the development of the AGE to age Program in 2008. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Urban & Regional Studies and Public Administration from Minnesota State University Mankato with a concentration in aging and program evaluation.
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Jan Amys has more than 25 years of extensive background in intergenerational, youth development, and out-of-school time programming. Amys joined the Northland Foundation in 2007 and manages and leads a portfolio of programs supporting children and youth from birth to adulthood. Amys helped launch the AGE to age Program when it started in 2008, along with expansion efforts including intergenerational intern/fellows and reading programs. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Black Hills State University.
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Carmen Keyport is the Executive Director of Oshki Ogimaag Charter School, serving K-6 students in Grand Portage. Carmen has more than 25 years of experience in educational programming and administration. Since 2011, she has coordinated the Grand Portage AGE to age Program to actively engage Elders with children and youth for cultural learning and intergenerational community-building activities.
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Cheryl Meld serves as the Executive Director of McGregor KIDS PLUS/AGE to age Program and Community Education Coordinator for the McGregor School District. Cheryl has more than 30 years of experience with youth development, out of school time, and intergenerational programming, as well as grants management with state, regional, and federal funding.
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Vicki Radzak serves in several leadership roles in Moose Lake, MN, including Community Education Coordinator, Summer Recreation Director, KIDS PLUS After-School Enrichment Program Director, and AGE to age Executive Director. Vicki has worked for over 20 years in the Moose Lake School District. She has overseen countless activities, programs, and events that have brought together all ages, local community groups, city government, and the school district, thus creating long-lasting partnerships and friendships.
Sponsors:
The Northland Diversity in Aging Series is a collaboration of The College of Saint Scholastica’s Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and the Gerontology Program, Duluth Aging Support, Northland Foundation, and the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging. The purpose is to foster conversations and promote learning about the aging and caregiving experience across generations and cultures.