Growing up, some of my best memories have been with my grandparents. They’ve always been a grounding and special part of my life. That valuable connection led me to think about the emptiness felt by teens who’ve lost their grandparents, or older adults who live far from their grandkids. With My GenFriends, we’re creating a way to bridge that gap. We match teens and seniors with shared interests for simple, meaningful visits. These visits can happen anywhere: at home, in parks, senior centers, wherever feels most comfortable. They're not formal or complicated; they’re about spending time together over card games, movies, shared stories, or just good conversation.
Many young people grow up without connections to their grandparents due to a number of reasons. This can cause them to lose out on an extremely special bond. Through this program, teens will be able to cultivate a strong relationship with an elder while also spending quality time and learning from the wisdom and experience of elders. This can also help them log in their volunteer hours.
Loneliness is one of the biggest challenges facing the elderly. Stories of experience and wisdom often go unheard. A friendly visit: small game, shared laugh, or a story told over coffee can make a huge difference in their entire week and ecan ven change their outlook.
My GenFriends not only helps individuals, but also builds a community and foundation for the individuals involved in it. This culture of empathy and connection has the potential to go farther than just a program and can span across generations.
Conversation and Storytelling
Games
Activities of Similar interest
Helping with tasks
At My GenFriends we value the safety of both parties. Following these Safety Policies and Code of Conduct will ensure that there are clear safe boundaries during the visit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14uK7MqJkesjNFsfmS7YIocxrBwCeALFHV2UgRwLvVnw/edit?usp=sharing
Just like every person is different, every visit will be different. What will remain the same is the intention to show up and build bonds.