GENuine Connections
Build meaningful friendships when you join our online community of adults 65+ and high school students. Through games, discussion groups, and creative workshops, discover how intergenerational bonds can enrich your life.
Program Type: Intergenerational Lifelong Learning Arts & Culture
Age Group: Adults 60+ Teens
Frequency: Weekly Recurring Limited Series
Program Access: Online
Join Our Community
The first step to joining the GENuine Connections community is to attend an orientation, where you’ll learn all about the program and experience what it’s like.
Register for Your Next Workshop
If you’ve already participated in GENuine Connections, you can register directly for another workshop series.
About GENuine Connections
Through GENuine Connections®, adults 65+ and teens meet online in weekly workshops to discover the rewards of intergenerational friendship. Activities include brain games, storytelling, chess, art workshops, current events, and more. You choose a workshop that interests you and sign up for a series that runs from 3 – 6 weeks.
In this program, everyone is a volunteer. As an older adult or a teen, you’ll be investing time in building an intergenerational community. If you’re a teen, you can also earn volunteer hours by participating in GENuine Connections.
How It Works
You attend an orientation, which gives you the chance to experience what the program is like. You’ll learn more about the program, and we’ll get to know you—this is a way to ensure mutual alignment with goals. After you complete the rest of our process, you can sign up for the workshop(s) that meet your interests and schedule.
You’ll connect each week via Zoom with the same group, a mix of about 24 adults and teens plus a trained facilitator. Small breakout groups ensure all can participate in a meaningful way. Each session builds on the other, so we ask you to plan to be there for all of them.
View Upcoming Events
What I enjoy the most is the surprise and discovery that happens almost every time we meet. Who knew we’d learn so much from each other?
Connections that Count
Our lives revolve around connections. Hear from five pairs of older adult and teen friends in this video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Partner with Us
Whether you’re with a community center, retirement association, NORC, worship community, or library, we’re always looking to build new partnerships focused on meaningful intergenerational friendships. Learn more.