Published
March 30, 2026
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Adele Dressner and Bailee Stein aren’t sure when they first met. It might have been in a theater program. Or perhaps it was story sharing. Either way, they know it was at a DOROT summer program, and that they quickly felt a connection.
The fact that Bailee is a high school student and Adele is a retired businesswoman? That was irrelevant.
“I met you a couple of times, and I felt like you were an old friend,” Adele tells Bailee during a conversation at a DOROT video shoot. Bailee nods in agreement.
Both are veterans of our intergenerational programs—in-person and online opportunities for adults 65+ and high school students to come together for all sorts of activities: from trivia contests and dumpling making to arts workshops, chess, and discussions of world affairs.
Among her other “intergen” activities, Adele welcomes teens to her home for weekly visits. “The conversations I have with these young women are amazing,” she says, marveling at the personal stories she and the teens have shared. She thinks DOROT’s intergenerational programs are powerful because they encourage participants to be themselves, connect, and have fun. As for the teens, she adds, “I think it works because they don’t get judgment.”
“I definitely agree,” says Bailee. “These programs are so special because we can be relaxed and open. We’re all just here to get to know each other.”
Participants are often surprised by how much they share with people who are decades younger or older. In fact, a recent survey about GENuine Connections®, DOROT’s online intergenerational program, found that 99 percent of teens and 94 percent of older adults had found things in common to discuss with the other generation.
Beyond the fun and conversation, these programs serve a serious purpose. In the U.S., teens and older adults each belong to a demographic at high risk for social isolation and loneliness. Research shows that giving them a chance to connect can be a powerful antidote.
Why do these connections make a difference? “Many older adults tell us they’ve lost a sense of purpose as they’ve aged, and these programs help restore that,” explains Judith Turner, Senior Program Officer, Volunteer Services and Intergenerational Programming.
“We create a space where older adults and teens can open up to each other. The teens are less guarded because they’re outside of a family context, and it’s clear how much they appreciate interacting with the older adults.” Teens themselves say it’s a comfort to escape the pressures of adolescence and to be with adults who genuinely value what they have to say. It’s also reassuring to hear the life stories of seniors who’ve faced challenges and ultimately managed to thrive.
“In general, it’s hard to be a teenager. There are a lot of judgments and very high stakes,” says Shai Rosenfeld, Director of Intergenerational Program Engagement. “These programs offer a place where they can meet with elders who have no role in their life, so they know that the companionship and time and respect of the older adults is something they earn.”
Still, fostering intergenerational connections takes more than simply putting both generations in a room, or Zoom room, and waiting for the magic to happen.
Fundamental to DOROT’s approach is first creating an atmosphere where everyone is on an equal footing, meaning that older adults are not there as instructors or parent figures, and teens are not there to be judged. Equally important, neither generation is singled out as needing help.
Rather, in carefully designed orientations, everyone learns their role is to be curious, to make connections, and to help others leave feeling better than when they arrived. “It’s literally their mission to be kind and ask questions,” Rosenfeld says.
To inspire lively exchanges, intergen workshops are led by skilled facilitators who focus on promoting interaction. Participants are given prompts that make it easy for them to open up. And since most of our intergenerational programs include three or more sessions, teens and older adults can get to know each other over time.
Ultimately, the success of these programs relies on staff with deep knowledge who intentionally plan activities and continually evaluate what works. At DOROT, they also draw on the agency’s decades of experience developing and honing creative ways to bring generations together.
With the right structures in place, it should all feel easy for the teens and older adults who take part, Rosenfeld says. “They can hang out, have fun, and make connections. They know they can just show up and we’ll take care of it.
