Donna's Blog

Generations United Statement on the Republican Response to the State of the Union

2012-01-27T15:40:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday evening, Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana gave the Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union. While raising valid concerns about fiscal discipline and the country’s economic challenges, Governor Daniels portrayal of current efforts to restore our economy were misleading and his approaches to protecting our Social Security and Medicare would, in reality, undermine them.

He explains that Social Security and Medicare have "served us well" since their creation but they are in need of "some repairs" which he goes on to explain would include fashioning a "new affordable safety net." His carefully worded recommendations call to fundamentally transform Social Security and Medicare, including means testing the programs. While on it face this recommendation sounds appealing and in the interest of middle class and low-income Americans, in reality it would cost more than it saves by undermining the program's universal appeal and support. Furthmore claims that Social Security is bankrupt are false. Social Security has a $2.6 trillion surplus and can pay full benefits through 2036 without any changes. Relatively modest changes can be made that would place the program on sound financial footing for 75 years and beyond. In additiion, Gov. Daniels call to fundamentally transform Social Security for our country's younger Americans when they retire failed to recognize that Social Security is more than a retirement program. Nearly 7 million children receive part of their family income from Social Security today and rely on it as a safeguard against poverty every day.

Governor Daniels raised valid concerns about addressing the country’s deficit. Generations United supports fiscal discipline to ensure that our nation satisfies its debts. It must, however, be done in a responsible way that ensures it does not fall on the backs of our nation’s most vulnerable children, youth, and older adults.

Lastly, Gov. Daniels urged a renewed commitment to growing the private sector to help rebuild our economy. We at Generations United strongly support investing in our country’s economy and people. We believe these investments are not limited to creating “real jobs”; they also include creating opportunities for vulnerable people to overcome hunger and poverty, extending the right for today’s youth to continue their education through college, and for today’s older adults to receive affordable health care on a fixed income. If we fail to support these programs, which are needed more than ever in today’s economy, we fail our commitment to the generations before us and after us. That is why Generations United supports our safety net programs and services that help people get back on their feet again. As Gov. Daniels said, our society must protect its vulnerable. We look out for one another, because we’re stronger together.

Generations United Responds to the State of the Union Address

2012-01-25T15:41:00.005-05:00

In his State of the Union address this week, President Obama called on the nation to throw aside our differences and create an “America built to last”—one that revives the “basic American promise that if you worked hard you could do well enough to raise a family, own home, send your kids to college, and put a little away for retirement.” As our name implies, Generations United believes that we all must work together to revive America…because we’re stronger together.

Education

As President Obama noted, “A great teacher can offer an escape from poverty to the child who dreams beyond his circumstances…. Teachers matter. So, instead of bashing them…. Give [schools] the resources to keep good teachers on the job…” Generations United applauds the President’s recognition that investing in our education system is essential to the rebuilding process.

We believe that older adults can play a key role in that rebuilding process. Older adults are one of our nation’s few growing natural resources and can offer the individual attention and wisdom of experience that children need. A prime example is Experience Corps, an evidence-based program that engages adults over 55 to provide literacy coaching, homework help, consistent role models, and committed, caring attention to young people. Independent research has shown that Experience Corps boosts student academic performance, helps schools and youth-serving organizations become more successful, and enhances the well-being of older adults in the process. Currently, 2,000 older adults are involved in Experience Corps in 19 cities across the nation. Given the number of Baby Boomers now retiring, we could easily increase that number.

Older adults can play a critical role in promoting high-quality early education and care, as well. While not highlighted in his address, President Obama is a strong supporter of early learning, a critical element of any rebuilding process. Statistics have shown over and over that children who are exposed to high-quality learning early in life do better in school--and later in life. That makes sense. After all, 75 percent of brain development and 85 percent of intellect, personality, and social skills develop before age 5.

Research has found that funding for early childhood education provides the greatest documented return for the expenditure. That is why Generations United has rallied thousands of older adults to advocate on behalf of our children through our Seniors4Kids initiative. These dedicated adults keep lawmakers focused on the need for and efficacy of early learning.

Along with revitalizing elementary education and investing in early learning initiatives, we must also focus on higher education. As the President rightly noted, “Higher education can’t be a luxury—it’s an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.” At the same time, he acknowledged that the cost of college can be daunting for today’s students. While we applaud the President’s support for extending the tuition tax credit, Generations United urges Congress to do more to assist particularly vulnerable young people, those whose parent(s) are diseased or disabled. One way is by reinstating the student benefit under Social Security. That provision would help young people who have lost a parent or whose parent is disabled to receive survivor benefits through the age of 22 as long as they are enrolled in college. Social Security survivor and disability benefits can be a deciding factor in whether or not these young people can continue their education.

Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, Health Care

“I will not go back to the days when health insurance companies had unchecked power to cancel your policy and deny your coverage.” With those words, President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to the Affordable Care Act that will extend health care coverage to millions more Americans when it is fully implemented by 2014. We applaud his determination to ensure the program is preserved and continues to provide new critical health care coverage and protections to our nation’s younger and older people.

We are also heartened by the President’s statement that, “I’m prepared to make more reforms that rein in long-term costs of Medicare and Medicaid, and strengthen Social Security, so long as those programs remain a guarantee of security for seniors.” But, we urge President Obama to ensure he—and Congress—do not overlook the critical role Social Security also plays in the lives of nearly 7 million children today who receive part of their family income from it. The Social Security program is sound because, like America, it was “built to last.”

Economy

Appealing directly to lawmakers of both parties, the President said everyone must work together to renew Americans’ belief that we can solve today’s economic and social challenges. The answer, he said, is in a “…return to the American values of fair play and shared responsibility. [This] will help us protect our people and our economy.

“Tax breaks either add to the deficit or somebody else has to make up the difference –like a senior on a fixed income; or a student trying to get through school; or a family trying to make ends meet. That’s not right. Americans know it’s not right. They know that this generation’s success is only possible because past generations felt a responsibility to each other, and to their country’s future, and they know our way of life will only endure if we feel the same sense of shared responsibility. That’s how we’ll reduce the deficit. That’s an America built to last.”

We couldn’t agree more. We ardently believe that we cannot achieve recovery by placing an even bigger burden on those who need our protection the most: our children, youth, and older adults. Giving tax breaks to the wealthy and protecting corporate tax subsidies only shift the burden to the middle class. Rather, as the President noted, our fellow citizens’ well-being should “…guide us as we look to pay down our debt and invest in our future.”

Investing in our future means ensuring Americans have an adequate safety net of programs and services that can help them get back up on their feet and moving forward. It means looking out for each other and, together, creating an America built to last. Because we’re stronger together.

Multigenerational Family Profile: McGloughlin Family

2011-12-16T10:01:00.001-05:00

After eight years of multigenerational living, the McGloughlin family has it down almost to a science. Amy McGloughlin and her mother-in-law Judy will both tell you that clear boundaries are the secret to a happy multigenerational household. (Well, that and giving Judy the biggest bedroom—with bay window, no less!)

“Both Amy and Charlie have a very good sense of boundaries and we’re clear on how to interact and live together comfortably,” says Judy. “I tend to be very sensitive, but when issues arise, Amy’s clear boundaries make them easy to resolve.”

For Charlie, the key is good communication, honesty, and responsibility. “You have to respect roles in the family, and you need to own your own role,” he explains. “That way when problems arise, you have a mechanism for working them out. If communication was poor, we’d have no way to resolve issues.”

Meanwhile, multigenerational living works for Will because having grandmom around means he has someone to play games with and to help with homework and other projects. He realized just how lucky he was when his class recently broke into discussion groups to talk about family. He was surprised to discover that most of his classmates had no living grandparents.

Reba know she’s lucky, as well. “A lot of my friends say their grandmothers are mean to them, but some have never seen any of their grandparents.”

So why did Judy move in with Amy and Charlie in the first place? “My parents had a large house and after my brother, sister and I moved out, the house was just getting too big for them to handle,” Charlie explains. “Amy and I thought we should get a bigger house where we could all live together and share expenses. It didn’t make sense to have two houses when one would do, and we love each other. Unfortunately, my father died before they could move in with us.”

“It’s been wonderful; I love being with family,” says Judy. “The Gray Panthers often espoused intergenerational living because of what you can learn and share. It’s a great experience and I credit Amy with making it all work.”

Amy—or Pastor Amy as she’s known by her congregants of the Germantown Mennonite Church—says that she and Judy “are different enough that it works out well. To live intergenerationally, you have to be ready to say the hard things. You need to name the problem and talk it through. The reality is, we’ve had to have some hard conversations. You have to have an understanding of your possessions. We have a ton of stories about sharing.”

Sharing is important—within boundaries. Judy does babysit and will drive the children around when needed, but she says that Charlie and Amy are careful not to take her for granted. She, in turn, is careful not to take them for granted. They share the cooking and the grocery bills, and Judy contributes to the mortgage.

But mostly what they share is a love of family. In fact, Charlie and Amy are thinking of moving to a bigger house and moving other family members in.

“In these economic times living together is a good idea,” says Charlie. “It makes a lot of sense spiritually and financially to live together. Living in separate houses is just a waste if you love each other.”

Multigenerational Family Profile: Adrian Charniak

2011-12-14T09:27:00.001-05:00

Adrian Charniak (center right) shares a house in Riverside, IL – a Chicago suburb – with her husband. And her mother. And her grandson. And it all works.

Adrian and Ron are both 71. Her mother, Lillian, is 90. Grandson Joey – “our gift,” Adrian says – is 13. The Charniaks also take care of Ron’s mother, Alvina, 89, who lives three miles away. Adrian volunteers – spending much of her time coordinating a regional grandparents support group she started six years ago – and sings in her church choir.

We became a multigenerational household when my father passed away 13 years ago, which left Mom living alone in a very bad neighborhood. After her house was broken into, Ron said she had to come live with us. Then our son lived with us. And Joey has lived with us for 12 years.

Joey is our gift. Neither of his parents could really care for him. We didn’t want to see him go to foster care. So we pulled up our suspenders and went to court. I made every court appearance –more than 100 of them – to make sure he’d be able to stay with us. I had a pension, but I spent it all on court costs. He’s worth it! I now depend on my Social Security check every month to help us raise Joey and care for my mother.

Joey calls me “Babi” – that’s Czech for “grandma.” And he calls my mom “Double Babi.” The other day he got up early, and then he came in and told me, “Babi, I made the coffee, fed the dog, fed the cat, and brought in the paper. You’ve got an easy day today!” Joey goes to a good school in a wonderful school system. Now he’s getting all A’s…mostly!

About six years ago we started a grandparents support group. We call it the Gift of Hope. It’s named after the organ donor group. My son was an organ donor. One day, I was talking with another grandmother about how our grandchildren are the gift. “And we’re the hope,” she said.

We have 178 families in the group now. People come to our meetings from all over –not just the Chicago area. We find out what they need –shoes, clothing, a bed, school supplies –and we try to help them. Then they form friendships. It’s people helping people.

We have friends who are retired who are always telling me about their next cruise to Hawaii or wherever. I tell them I go on cruises every day. I cruise to school, I cruise to the mall, I cruise to the doctor’s office, I cruise to the skateboarding park. Joey’s my cruise to Hawaii, and you know what? I wouldn’t trade my cruise for theirs.

To read more multigenerational family stories and to see how they are faring in this tough environment, download the executive summary or full report of our signature report Family Matters: Multigenerational Families in a Volatile Economy.

Multigenerational Family Profile: Lisa Mensah

2011-12-13T09:19:00.001-05:00

Lisa Mensah directs the Aspen Institute’s Initiative on Financial Security.

I’m partial to multigenerational households because I grew up in one, in Oregon. My mom’s parents lived nearby and then moved in with us. And my father grew up in Ghana, where multigenerational households were the norm.

My husband grew up in North Carolina, also in a multigenerational household. So when we had our first child it seemed entirely natural for my mom to move in and help us. We were living in New York, both of us working, and to have Mom anchoring at home was a great gift, and still is. She has always been a loving presence in our children’s lives.

Now our roles within the family are shifting. Mom has cancer, and although it’s under control, her chemo and radiation treatments have caused a severe loss of mobility. So she’s in a wheelchair most of the time. That hasn’t stopped her. For example, she has always been a wonderful cook, but now she needs some help. And our children – Rebecca is 15, Andrew is 12 – are helping.

My kids are lucky. They have four living grandparents and other relatives within reach who can mentor them. And I enjoy the wisdom of the elders. They understand how stressed today’s students – and parents! – can be, and they help us to remember what matters, which is making time for each other, and helping each other.

We’re obviously living through a time of great financial stress for millions of families. About eight years ago, after moving from the Ford Foundation to the Aspen Institute, I started the Initiative on Financial Security to try to advance the goal of improving household financial security for lower-income families. First we have to protect what’s already in place – especially Social Security and Medicare. They’re foundational. And we have to move beyond the narrow confines of today’s political debates, which create so much fear that these bedrock economic security programs may not be there tomorrow. We have to get fear off the table.

Multigenerational Family Profile: Lydia Win

2011-12-12T09:31:00.001-05:00

My husband, Maung, and I share our three-bedroom, one-bath home with our two young sons, Nathan and Nevin; my sister Patricia, 36; my father, Saw Lincoln, who is 62, and my 89-year-old grandmother, Minerva. It’s crowded, but it works.

I was born in Burma and am a Karen, one of seven major ethnic groups that live in Burma. I have lived in the United States for 18 years and, for the most part, our family lives a typical American lifestyle. At the same time, we also hold onto important Burmese traditions, such as caring for relatives and living together for mutual support.

Tradition certainly plays a major role in why we have four generations living under one roof, but today’s economy plays a big role, as well. My husband, sister, and I are fortunate to work full-time, yet we still live paycheck to paycheck.

Living together has a lot of advantages. My grandmother is in good health, as is my father. They both are able to help out when my sons are sick or home from school. And my father often stands in if my husband or I can’t make a school event or if the kids need a ride somewhere. My sister cares for them, too, when she’s at home. I’m not sure how we’d make it if we had to pay for after-school care.

All of the adults share expenses, such as groceries, so that eases the financial burden somewhat. But the real advantage to living together is that we can help care for and support each other. When someone needs help, we all pitch in.

In many ways, we’re no different from other families trying to cope with an uncertain economy. We have our financial and generational challenges. And living with so many people under one roof can create tension at times. But love makes it work. You just can’t buy a grandparent’s caring, attention, and support. My kids love their great grandmother and their grandfather. And my sister is so attached to my sons—and they to her.

To other extended families who are thinking of living together, I’d offer this advice: Have understanding and patience when living with different generations. Everyone will have to sacrifice some privacy and freedom. But what you get in return can’t be measured in dollars, and it’s worth the small sacrifices you make.

Multigenerational Family Profile: Maggie Cruz

2011-12-09T11:04:00.001-05:00

Magdalena Cruz lives in a house in Hartford, CT, with her nine-year-old grandson Julian, whom she is raising. She is 65.

I live with my son, and his girlfriend, and my grandson. They all have developmental disabilities.

After my son’s girlfriend became pregnant and had their baby, when he was about three months old I heard that they were going to give him away, and I told my son I couldn’t agree to that. I didn’t know what would happen to the baby. I told my son I would rather take the baby and raise him myself, and I did. I went to court and was given custody of the boy. Then, when Julian was about three years old, I took him to have some evaluations and learned that he had developmental disabilities.

We got some help from SSI [Supplemental Security Income, the federal program administered by Social Security that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources], and we still do. And my son gets some help from the Social Security Disability Insurance program. I’m grateful for that, and I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me, but it’s not easy, living the way we do. At one point I was told that Julian should be sent away to a special school, but I wanted him to stay with us, so he would know his father and his mother and his grandmother and would know we love hi m. So he did. And today he is a very happy nine-year-old boy who loves his father and his mother and me – and we are a happy family!

Julian gets extra help at school, and when there are meetings I take his mother with me, to help her understand that she has responsibilities. And my son too. So I do what I can. And I get some counseling help from a group that helps grandparents. But our only continuing income is from SSI and SSDI. I would like to find work, and I look all the time, but in this economy… well, there is nothing out there. I am the kind of person who likes to work – I like my house too but I don’t want to be in it all the time! I used to have a job working with disabled people and training other people to work with them. I liked that job and I did that work for many years. But then I was laid off, a few months ago. Now I get unemployment assistance – but that’s temporary, and anyway it’s not what I want. I want to work and be of service. But when I go to talk to state agencies, I always hear the same thing: “We’re cutting back.” That seems wrong to me, to be cutting back when the needs are not being cut back. It’s a little bit tough, I think.

‘President Obama and Congress, we could use some help.’

I’m not a complainer. But it’s not easy, living in a household with not one but three people with disabilities. It takes a lot of explaining, a lot of patience, a lot of time, and it’s harder when I’m also worrying about whether I can afford to keep my house. Life is not bad, but it’s not easy. I could use some help – and if I need help, think how many other people need even more help, especially the older grandparents who are raising grandchildren. Because I like to think I’m a young lady – but some others are old. So if I could say anything to President Obama and Congress, it would be that giving us a little more help would be a good investment. With a little help my grandson will grow up to be a fine man.

Long-term Care Insurance & Multigenerational Families

2011-12-08T11:27:00.001-05:00

The bitter experience of Alison Briolat from Ohio - illustrates why millions of Americans, especially multigenerational families, desperately need affordable long-term care insurance.

A recent New York Times article[i] described one family's distress. Briolat moved her parents into her home after her mother's health deteriorated, chiefly because of the stress of caring for Briolat's father - who suffered an injury that eventually required a foot amputation, followed by five months in a nursing home that cost the family $60,000. Briolat now pays a home heath aide to care for her parents while she and her husband are at work.

"Everybody at work is very glib about how they'll never be a burden to their children and how I'm such a saint," Briolat says. "But unless you have millions sitting in the bank, there's no other way."

For the past 25 years, proposals in Congress to provide long-term care coverage have failed, largely because they were too costly. But the Affordable Care Act included the Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) Act, a program intended to provide a long-term care benefit of at least $50 a day, or $18,000 a year with no cost to the government. While it would not have covered many months of nursing-home care, it would at least have helped caregivers pay for home health aides. Diane Rowland, vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, notes that CLASS "was designed to serve as a bridge between the affluent who can care for their own and the poor who get Medicaid."

More than 10 million Americans have long-term care needs, and at least a third of the cost is paid out-of-pocket by family members like Briolat. CLASS could have been a financial lifeline, especially for multigenerational families. But the program had a major issue that needed to be addressed. It was to be voluntary, with benefits to be paid entirely from premiums rather than from dedicated revenues collected via any form of mandate.

As all insurance actuaries know, a voluntary program invites moral hazard: people who believe they'll need long-term care will enroll, while those willing to bet on not needing it (or believing, wrongly, that Medicare covers it) will stay away from the program - until they need it. Since a distinguishing feature of CLASS was a prohibition on underwriting – the tool private insurers use to keep sick people from enrolling, other methods needed to be used to create a large pool under which risk could be spread among young and old, and disabled and not disabled, purchasers. Since attempts to subsidize premiums or require employers to offer the coverage were rejected, advocates hoped to keep premiums low and attract healthy buyers by providing flexibility to create work requirements and delay the period of time between purchasing coverage and filing for benefits.

Even though CLASS was budget neutral, reduced Medicaid costs and imposed no mandates, opponents of health reform tried to kill it. Since the process in health reform did not permit an opportunity to amend the bill to better address adverse selection concerns, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) struggled to balance actuarial, legal, and marketing concerns, along with the requirement that CLASS would be self-sustaining for 75 years. As a result, HHS has suspended implementation of the program and opponents are pushing for repeal – without offering any alternatives to address the problem. Advocates want to “mend it, not end it” and are offering suggestions to fix issues raised.

There are lessons to be learned from CLASS – both from success of the collaborative effort to include the provision in the law against long odds, and from the raw, partisan political opposition and complexity of implementation that followed. As we continue to promote progressive legislation that promises to help multigenerational families, we need to be sure they represent both good policy and good politics, pay close attention to details, and are sensitive to current budget realities.

For more on our healthcare recommendations, check out page 38 of our latest report: Family Matters: Multigenerational Families in a Volatile Economy.

[i] [i] “Still No Relief in Sight for Long-Term Needs,” New York Times, October 25, 2011

Multigenerational Family Profile: Levy Gillespie

2011-12-08T09:23:00.001-05:00

Levy Gillespie lives with his grandchild at Generations, an affordable rental property developed and managed by Community Renewal Team, Inc. (CRT), a Hartford-based community action agency that is the largest nonprofit provider of human services in Connecticut. Generations consists of 40 rental apartments in two sections: one for seniors and the other for grandparents raising their grandchildren.

My granddaughter Aubrey is four years old now. She came to me when she was just about a month old. My daughter was in a difficult relationship with Aubrey’s father, and she knew it wasn’t going to work for her to keep the child. She was afraid that the child would be taken away from her and sent to a foster home. So she brought Aubrey to me – and I went to court and won legal custody.

Raising Aubrey has been very good for me. I like being responsible for her, and she helps keep me focused. I’m 52-years-old and diabetic, and I don’t always feel good, but she motivates me to take care of myself. And she’s fun! She’s a very good kid, and she learns quickly, too.

I do some work for a temp agency, doing odd jobs. That gives me some flexibility. It would be hard for me to hold a full-time job right now, because Aubrey is my main responsibility. My day is organized around her.

‘I needed help to raise my granddaughter, and I was fortunate enough to find it.’

I’ve done a lot of praying, and I believe God opens doors for us. You never know how the doors are going to open, but they do. I needed help to keep my granddaughter, and I was fortunate enough to find it. We moved in to CRT about six months ago, and it has been a blessing for us. It’s a real community. I can talk with other grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, and we have meetings where we can talk about other things like working together to keep our community clean and safe. I’m very grateful to be here.

Before I found out about CRT, I was really struggling. When the economy went bad I lost my job and I was close to losing my apartment. I couldn’t pay my gas bill, my electric bill. I was stressed out and depressed and anxious about whether I could continue to take care of Aubrey. We were just going week to week. CRT gave me hope again. I don’t have much to live on, but I have a caseworker at CRT who looks out for Aubrey and me, and they go out of their way to help.

Multigenerational Family Profile: Que Spencer

2011-12-07T10:16:00.001-05:00

My grandmother moved in with us over three years ago. We love having her live with us. We’ve always been a close family and we enjoy each other’s company—talking and going to church together. And we love her cooking!

My grandmother really didn’t want to move to Virginia Beach. She’s a very independent woman and had lived in North Carolina all her life; it’s where her heart is. She still owns the house my grandfather built when they married 66 years ago. She visits there whenever possible.

Although it was very difficult for her to leave her home, her declining health dictated the move. We all pitch in to help care for her. She helps us by talking to us and giving us a different perspective on things. We all benefit from her lifetime of experiences and her wisdom. She holds the key to our family history.

I think the biggest issue we face is getting time off of work to take my grandmother to doctor appointments. It would be a lot easier on us—especially my mother—if workplace policies took into account how many families now are caregivers for either younger or older generations. Like most families in this situation, we could use more support.

Multigenerational Families Around the World

2011-11-28T17:54:00.002-05:00

Pema in traditional Bhutan Gho

Happy Monday after Thanksgiving! As we're gearing up for the December 6th release of our latest signature report, Family Matters: Multigenerational Families in a Volatile Economy, I'm thinking back on my recent trip to Bhutan and India. Both are countries in which multigenerational households are the norm and deeply rooted in culture and tradition. In Bhutan, the only country to measure Gross National Happiness or GNH, our guide Pema shared his country's traditions and spiritual beliefs through wonderful, warm stories. He told us about the four pillars of GNH - promotion of sustainable development, preservation and promotion of cultural values, conservation of the natural environment, and establishment of good governance. Proposed policies in Bhutan must pass a GNH review based on a GNH impact statement that is similar in nature to the Environmental Impact Statements required for development in the U.S.

Multigenerational households, extended family pooling and sharing resources under one roof, are one of cultural values being preserved. Pema, who is a 26 year old professional guide (and an excellent one I might add), explained that he lives with his parents, siblings, brother in law and nieces and nephews. They are 11 all told. Until his grandparents passed, they were with them as well. Many of his stories were those his grandparents taught him. Oral history carried from one generation to another.

In 1948, the United Nations declared "The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State." As the "family" landscape evolves in the US and families are coming back together in record numbers, we can learn much from other cultures that have long understood we are stronger together. I hope you can join us on December 6th and learn more about our policy recommendations to support multigenerational households. For those of you unable to attend, the report will be posted on our website that afternoon. We ask you to join us in celebrating and advocating for that natural and fundamental group unit-the family-and each and every generation that makes up a family. Best, Donna

Our Other Thanksgiving: A Multigenerational Family Story and Recipe

2011-11-21T11:33:00.001-05:00

“Don’t adjust your glasses,” I affectionately teased as I captioned this Thanksgiving 2004 photograph for our family album. “Other Nana’s actually cooking.” Alice D’Amore, my husband’s grandmother, would rather make a reservation than cook a meal any day of the week. But this photo is truly miraculous, although for a different reason than you might guess.

Alice earned her rather unique nickname because my husband’s great-grandmother (the original Nana) lived with his family. As a toddler, my husband decided to call her the “Other Nana.” When I met her, Alice explained why she loved the name and the family continued to use it. “There are millions of grandmas out there, but I bet I am the only Other.”

Other was truly an original. Long before “Mad Men,” she regaled me with eye-opening stories about her experiences working as an executive secretary in Manhattan starting in the 1940s. While she enjoyed work greatly, it was also a necessity. My husband’s grandfather died in a tragic accident working an extra shift to save money for their new baby on the day they were supposed to bring my mother-in-law home from the hospital.

Other lived her life with a remarkable grit, a fabulous sense of style, and a wonderful spirit of adventure that she imparted to both her grandchildren. When my husband and I began dating in college, she quickly adopted me as one of her own. We grew very close, especially after I lost both my grandmother and grandfather before my husband and I got married in the summer of 2002.

In the fall of 2003, my husband and I moved to Philadelphia when he began a one-year clerkship with a federal judge after he graduated from law school. We had just settled into our new one bedroom apartment, when we got a phone call that changed our lives dramatically.

Alice fell while trying to swat a spider with a broom. She hit her head, causing a major bleed in her brain. After her surgery, she wasn’t waking up from her coma. My husband refused to give up on her and kept calling her name until she opened her eyes. While the brain surgery ultimately saved her life, it greatly damaged her balance. Alice could no longer live on her own.

I remember packing up her apartment with my sister-in-law Jayne, a college student on fall break at the time, in tears during Thanksgiving weekend 2003. The step-down rehabilitation facility in New Jersey discharged her a few days before when she failed to make additional improvement. At the ages of 26 and 27, my husband and I became her primary caregivers in a city that we lived in for two months. During the Thanksgiving dinner at my mother’s house, I remember watching the fork miss Alice’s mouth as she desperately tried to feed herself.

As it turned out, our temporary location in Philadelphia helped us tremendously. Our apartment building allowed us to break our lease and move into a two bedroom on the same floor. When Alice’s health deteriorated and she was readmitted to the hospital, she received quality care on a special geriatric floor this time. Her doctors connected us with an acute rehabilitation service upon her discharge. A social worker there put us in touch with an intergenerational respite program at Temple University, that gave us a much needed break from round the clock care.

The Time Out Program at Temple University’s Intergenerational Center gave all of us a piece of our lives back again. At first, it gave my husband and me a chance to escape the relentless circle of round the clock care by going to the movies for a few hours. As Alice improved with intensive physical therapy, her paired student Emily eventually could take her on trips to the supermarket and help her pick up her medicines. To show her appreciation, Alice greatly enjoyed taking Emily out for cups of coffee and cake. She regaled Emily with her life stories and gently provided advice when asked as Emily decided what to do with her life after college.

Although she could never live on her own again, Other made a miraculous recovery that year that gave her a sense of independence back. She lived with us for five years. Before she passed away in July 2008, she got to meet her great grandson Joseph Henry who brought great joy to her final months. Our Thanksgiving story illustrates that intergenerational programs are not just nice, they are necessary.

Since Alice always appreciated a cocktail at the end of the day (in a tiny cordial-sized glass no less), we present a recipe for her favorite special occasion drink, a French 75. It fits her personality more than the mushroom soup she helped to make that day.

3 ounces gin
3 ounces fresh lemon juice
4 teaspoons superfine granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups ice cubes
1 cup chilled champagne

In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, sugar, and ice cubes and shake to chill. Strain cocktails into glasses and top off with champagne. I hope you enjoy it as much as she did.

Written by Anne Tria Wise

Generations United Final 2011 Conference Product is here!

2011-11-17T14:53:00.000-05:00

During Rethinking and Revitalizing Intergenerational Connections, the Generations United conference this summer, we generated an incredible amount of creative ideas and provided focus for moving towards a society that embraces and meaningfully connects individuals of all ages.

All of this phenomenal thinking has been collected and presented in the conference summary. Our Final Conference Product evolved from input prior, during and after the conference. We encourage you to read it and hope it inspires you to rethink and revitalize your work in your local communities. Use this blog as an open forum to share your work and your thoughts so that we continue our dialogue until we can meet again in person at the next Generations United conference in 2013. We want to be sure our new interactive conference format continues throughout the year!

Our 2011 conference co-chairs will be writing a paper on bringing intergenerational work into the 21^st century. They are continuing to rethink the conference products and will be collaborating with our 2013 co-chairs to keep the rethinking and revitalizing rolling. Stay tuned!

We are also offering a webinar series featuring a few of the informative presentations from the 2011 conference – please join us for these continuing educational opportunities.

And, of course, we plan on seeing you at our next conference in the summer of 2013!

Multigenerational Families & the Economy

2011-11-17T09:56:00.000-05:00

The recession has hit families hard. People continue to struggle with weak job and housing markets. The economic climate and other demographic factors have turned America back into a nation in which families increasingly lean on each other. To stretch their resources and in some cases avoid poverty, older, middle-age, and young adults are living together under one roof in so called multigenerational families.

The Pew Research Center notes that the Great Recession triggered the “largest increase in the number of Americans living in multigenerational household in modern history.” One in six Americans now lives in such a household. The number rose from 46.5 million in 2007 to 51.4 million by the end of 2009 -- a 10.5 percent increase in just three years.

A recent report from the Pew Research Center notes, “Living in a multigenerational household appears to be a financial lifeline for many.” Although multigenerational household incomes, adjusted for household size, are lower than incomes in non-multigenerational households, poverty rates are also lower: 11.5 percent among multigenerational households vs. 14.6 percent among non-multigenerational households in 2009. The role this living arrangement plays in poverty alleviation is even more pronounced among the unemployed where the poverty rate in 2009 was 17.9 percent for those living in multigenerational households compared to 30.3 percent for those in other households.

Statistics like these are striking, but should be accompanied with a disclaimer which notes that the ability for these arrangements to alleviate poverty is limited. Sharing rising living expenses across generations can make them more manageable, but a finite food budget can only be stretched so far before someone has to go without. Anecdotal evidence suggests that sacrifices are being made, often by older members of the household, to ensure that youngest members are adequately fed and clothed. Policymakers, employers, foundations and other decision makers need to act now to better support these families.

On December 6^th, Generations United will release a report “Family Matters: Multigenerational families in a Volatile Economy.” It will include information from a new survey of multigenerational families about how they have been affected by the economy and make recommendations designed to better meet their needs. Join us to for at this National Press Club event to learn more. Register today

This article is the final installment in Generations United’s Blog Series on the Economy

Unemployment Struggles Affect All Ages

2011-11-09T09:30:00.001-05:00

High unemployment in today’s economy is an issue that touches all ages. In fact, young adults and older adults are facing many of the same challenges in today’s marketplace, reinforcing the age-old saying, that we really are “in this together.”

Young adults are struggling to enter the workforce, while older adults are struggling to re-enter the workforce, some long after they planned to be working at all. Both generations are having great difficulties finding employment. In fact, unemployment among older adults practically doubled from the beginning of the recession in 2007 to 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Young adults faced similar circumstances; in 2010, young adults ages 16-29 experienced the lowest employment rate since the end of World War II.[i][ii] Even the summer job market for teens seemed to evaporate.[iii]

How has this affected teens, young adults, and older adults? Believe it or not – the generations are more alike than they are different in this area as well. Both groups faced increasingly long periods of unemployment or underemployment. For instance, recent studies show that more than half of older adults ages 50+ were unemployed for more than six months.[iv] Similarly, these long periods of unemployment or underemployment left many young people[v] and older adults feeling very discouraged and in need of motivation to continue their job search.

The needs of both groups are strikingly similar as well. To advance in their careers, teens and young adults need opportunities to gain the work experience they lack, while older adults may need opportunities for additional training to hone the skills they have developed.

Teens, young adults, and older adults are all striving to become or remain financially self-sufficient and independent, to take care of themselves and their loved ones. These are values that cross all generations.

In the upcoming weeks, as the Senate considers introducing pieces of the American Jobs Act, we urge you to contact your Members of Congress, and to remind them that unemployment touches every age group, and that job creation is vital for the prosperity of all generations.

This article is the second installment in Generations United’s Blog Series on the Economy

For more on how families are faring in this tough environment, register to attend Family Matters: Multigenerational Families in a Volatile Economy on December 6, 2011.

[i] The Deterioration in the Labor Market Fortunes of America’s Young Adults During the Lost Decade of 2000-2010.

[ii] Unemployment Among Older Adults Stuck Near Record Highs. Ken Schwartz. NCOA Responds with Employment Programs, Benefits Counseling for Economically Stressed Seniors

[iii] The Continued Collapse of the Nation’s Teen Summery Job Market: Who Worked in the Summer of 2011?

[iv] Urban Institute. Retirement Security Data Brief. Number 2, February 2011. How Did 50+ Workers Fare in 2010? http://www.retirementpolicy.org

[v] The Deterioration in the Labor Market Fortunes of America’s Young Adults During the Lost Decade of 2000-2010.

Poverty in a Volatile Economy—How it Affects all Generations

2011-11-08T09:23:00.004-05:00

Since the Great Recession, our families and our society have become increasingly more vulnerable. Poverty, food insecurity, and hunger all go hand in hand. In the face of the current economic recession, rates of hunger and food insecurity have significantly increased. The poor economy has resulted in more families living in poverty and having to choose between paying the mortgage and buying groceries.

In September, the Census Bureau released new figures that show a large number of children and older adults living in poverty. The number of people in poverty in 2010 (46.2 million) is the largest number in the 52 years for which poverty estimates have been published. Figures released yesterday from the supplemental poverty measure show that figure is actually more than 49.1 million when you take into account rising medical costs and other expenses. The data confirm that millions of Americans continue to cope with the Great Recession’s enduring effects. It also shows the strength of our country’s safety net programs and argues against cutting these critical programs.

What is the effect of the Great Recession on children and older adults?

More than one out of every five children is living in poverty (16.4 million children)
One in six seniors is living in poverty.*

*According to official statistics, less than ten percent of the nation's 38 million seniors are living in poverty. But, once medical care and other costs of living are factored in, the number of people 65 and older living in poverty jumps to nearly 16 percent, according to the Census Bureau Supplemental Analysis.

Safety net programs give needy families a leg up when they fall on hard times.
One of the key programs that lowers the poverty rate among seniors is Social Security. Last year more than 14 million seniors were kept out of poverty because of Social Security, our nation’s most successful income protection program.

Unemployment insurance, which provides critical support to the jobless and stimulates economic activity, kept 3.2 million Americans out of poverty in 2010.

Medicaid provided health care to 48.6 million seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income children and families, many of whom would otherwise be without access to health care.

An alternative poverty measure that tracks the impact of the earned income tax credit shows that the EITC kept 5.4 million people, including 3 million children, from slipping below the poverty line last year.

How are families faring?
Though some families have decided to come together and live in multigenerational households to prevent poverty, the problems of a weakened economy still persist in our country. More families in poverty means fewer consumers for goods and services, greater unemployment, and a less-educated workforce.

Generations United urges Congress continue to protect these vulnerable populations by strengthening our social safety net programs that are helping to keep millions of Americans afloat. In order to emerge from the economic downturn, we must protect vulnerable populations and expand economic growth. The outcome of these investments will mean stronger families that have opportunities for success; a step towards breaking the cycle of poverty.

This article is the first installment in Generations United’s Blog Series on the Economy

For more on how families are faring in this tough environment, register to attend Family Matters: Multigenerational Families in a Volatile Economy on December 6, 2011.

Tulsa Across the Generations Summit

2011-10-19T11:40:00.000-04:00

Mayor Bartlett addresses summit as Nancy, Donna & Susan look on

Mayor Bartlett reads Susan's book to children

On October 10th Tulsa took a great leap forward in becoming a city that values and engages all generations. Under the leaderhip of Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Jr. and his wife, Victoria, our good colleagues at the Legacy Project, Susan Bosak and Brian Puppa, planned and executed a one day summit to address the challenges and opportunities of building an intergenerational city. I was honored to join Susan and Nancy Henkin of the Intergenerational Center to present the keynote addresses. I was impressed with the engagement of the people of Tulsa as well as the honest discussion about what they believe can be accomplished. So many seeds were planted, ideas sparked and commitments made that it will be terrific to watch the community develop. People understood it's not a fight, it's a family and just like a family, it will take hard work and tending but it's well worth it in the end. Go Tulsa! And thanks for the opportunity to join you! Donna

The Lost Social Security Benefit for Students

2011-09-22T12:22:00.000-04:00

As the dialogue about how to achieve long-term solvency for Social Security continues, Generations United urges Congress to protect survivors, disability and retirement benefits, and further strengthen the adequacy of the program.

One low-cost change that would improve economic security for families with children is to reinstate the student benefit. Generations United has released a new fact sheet entitled, "The Lost Social Security Benefit for Students." It details how this important benefit for post-secondary education came about, why it was eliminated in 1981, and why we must fight to reinstate it.

To learn more about the student benefit, download our fact sheet The Lost Social Security Benefit for Students.

Grandparents Week Blog: Fortunate

2011-09-16T01:00:00.008-04:00

Picture of Sheri with her grandparents on her wedding day, December 26, 1999.

I was a very fortunate kid. I grew up just a short drive away from all four of my grandparents (and even three of my great-grandparents). My parents and my grandparents made sure I was able to spend plenty of time with them. In retrospect, I think I also demanded to spend a lot of time with them! When given this assignment, I had a hard time pinpointing specific memories to write about; mainly since my grandparents play such integral parts in all my memories.

I remember countless sleepovers with both sets of grandparents. At one house, I slept between my grandparents in their bed, where my grandfather would sing songs and tell spooky stories. At the others’ house, I remember the impromptu sleepovers where I would get to wear one of my grandmother’s nightgowns and my grandfather would cook pancakes in the morning. Whether swimming in their pool with my aunts and cousins; snapping beans in the basement; hiding in the dog house with the dogs; sledding down the massive hill in their backyard; spending weeks at their house during the summer and then begging my parents to let me stay longer (I remember a lot of begging); working for my grandfather during high school and college; or many, many more wonderful times; my grandparents always made me feel very special and very loved.

I am also a very fortunate adult. I still live just a short drive away from all four of my grandparents. Although I don’t get to see them as often as I like, they remain incredible grandparents to me and incredible great-grandparents to my two children. Things really haven’t changed, they are still helping me to create wonderful memories, and they still make me feel very special and very loved.

Written by: Sheri Steinig

Grandparents Week: President Barack Obama

2011-09-16T01:00:00.005-04:00

Throughout Grandparents Week, we've been posting celebrity blogs featuring many public figures, athletes, singers, and more who were raised by their grandparents or whose grandparents played a significant role in their lives.

But, did you know that our very own President, Barack Obama, was raised by his grandparents?

In the President's Own Words: “I was raised by a single mom and my grandparents. My grandfather served in Patton’s Army, and my grandmother worked on a bomber assembly line. They didn't have money, but they gave me love, a thirst for education, and a belief that we're all part of something larger than ourselves.”

In honor of the important role grandparents play in our lives, President Barack Obama released a proclamation declaring September 11th National Grandparents Day.

Generations United applauds the President's acknowledgement of this special day, and we thank the administration for honoring grandparents and recognizing their important contribution to our communities and our lives.

We urge the President to continue to work to create intergenerational policies and programs which support grandparents, particularly those who are caring for their grandchildren, because we are stronger together.

Photo Courtesy of: newshawker.com

Grandparents Week: Friday's List of Famous Figures

2011-09-16T01:00:00.002-04:00

Lucille Ball: Lucille's father died before her 4th birthday. As a result, her mother was forced to work several jobs, so Lucille's grandmother kindly helped raise her.

Frederick Douglass: Frederick was raised by his grandmother, Betsy; his mother had been "rented out" to another farm, farther north on the Shore. Betsy was a strong and independent woman, a female figure (among several others) that would influence Frederick's deep life-long respect for women. She was a slave woman, married to a free black man, who was allowed, outside of her regular daily duties, to earn her own living by cultivating vegetables and hand-crafting seine nets for fishing. When Frederick was 6, the order was given that Betsy was to take Frederick to live at Wye House, fully separating him from his grandmother and the only home he had ever known.

Willye B. White: Willye was born in 1939 in Money, Mississippi. She was raised by her grandparents. At age ten, she discovered her talent for running and jumping. She became the first American to compete on five Olympic track and field teams.

Photos Courtesy Of: egotvonline, frederickdouglass.org, thehistorymakers.com

Grandparents Week Blog: My Grandpa

2011-09-15T06:00:00.002-04:00

Grandpa Butts arrived by train every summer, making the journey from Kansas to visit my family in Oregon. He worked for the railroad from the time he finished school at age 16 until he retired at 65. He was not going to board a plane. Grandpa also never drove a car. He walked everywhere or took the bus. His favorite walk was on the golf course. An avid golfer, he got his 7^th and final hole in one when he was 82.

Grandma Butts died shortly after Grandpa retired. I tried to visit him as often as my travels put me within range of the little white house in Topeka my Dad grew up in. We became closer during those years sharing adventures, pictures and stories. As the afternoons would start to fade he’d get a twinkle in his eye and say “Donna, you want to go to the club and have a wine?” We’d walk down the alley to his local hang out where he would have a beer, and I’d have “a wine” and chat with his friends. He loved the compliments they would pay him in particular how lucky he was to have his granddaughter visit. What they didn’t know was that I was the lucky one. I still covet the memories of our time together and deep love Grandpa Butts showered on me.

Written by: Donna Butts

Grandparents Week: Thursday's List of Public Officials and GrandRally Special Guests

2011-09-15T01:00:00.010-04:00

Rep. Richard Neal: As a result of the passing of both of Congressman Neal's parents, he and his two younger sisters moved in with their grandmother, and later, their aunt. As the GrandRally today highlights, Social Security is a critical support to children raised by grandparents and other relatives. A perfect example - Congressman Neal, who relied on Social Security growing up. Congressman Neal is a featured and honored guest at today's Fourth National GrandRally.

Rep. Karen Bass: The Congresswoman has been a champion for children, families, and caregivers in the state of California and nationally. This year, she is a featured speaker at the GrandRally.

Michael Morris: A featured guest of today's GrandRally, Michael Morris is the author of Slow Way Home, a book about a child being raised by his grandparents. Michael was raised by his grandparents, and has a true connection to the plight of relative caregivers as a result.

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa: The Congresswoman grew up in a multigenerational household, where all her family members, including her grandparents, had a hand in raising her.

Photos Courtesy of: damontucker.com, thepoliticalguide.com,michaelmorrisbooks.com,spcr.org

Grandparents Week Blog: My Blue Ribbon Grandmother

2011-09-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

When I hear about grandparents spoiling their grandchildren with toys, and trips, and all sorts of treats, I have trouble relating. My grandmother Sue had 23 grandchildren and very little money. In a good year, we might have received a silver dollar each for Christmas and a card for our birthday. Not very much by today’s standards. Yet—and I know I speak for all 23 grandchildren—we wouldn’t have traded Grandmom Sue for the world.

First, there was her sense of humor: dry, often aimed at one of us, but never mean or sarcastic; just funny. Then there were her hands: large, freckled with age spots, warm and comforting. Over the years, they had kneaded thousands of loaves of bread; wonderful, warm, yeasty bread. Bread that won the blue ribbon at New Jersey State Fair for 33 years in a row—except for one year. That year, my Aunt Alice won first place; Grandmom came in second.

One of my fondest memories was of Grandmom standing on her glassed-in porch waving as my family left for home. If it was dark when we left, she always flicked the porch light three times. For some reason, it gave me a warm, safe feeling knowing she was standing guard as we drove away. Warm and safe. Isn’t that what grandmothers are all about, anyway?

Written By: Colleen Appleby-Carroll

Grandparents Week: Wednesday's Celebrity List

2011-09-14T01:00:00.002-04:00

Edward James Olmos: Edward was raised by his great-grandfather and his great-grandmother.

Oprah Winfrey: After her birth, Oprah's mother traveled north, and Winfrey spent her first six years living with her grandmother.

Willie Nelson: Willie began performing music as a child growing up in Abbott, Texas. After his father died and his mother ran away, Nelson and his sister Bobbie were raised by their grandparents, who encouraged both children to play instruments.

Louis Armstrong: Born into extreme poverty in New Orleans, Armstrong was raised by his grandmother until the age of five.

Chris Jennings: Before his career in the NFL, Chris was living in Huntington, West Virginia, where he was raised by his grandparents, Rosa and Trellis Tyson.

Photos Courtesy of: insidesocial.com, eoprahwinfrey.com, salem-news.com,

sweetlyrics.com, cfl.ca.com

Grandparents Week Blog: Three Generations

2011-09-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

Featured in Photo: Thomas Taylor, grandpa; Keith V. Taylor, son; Keith S. Taylor, grandson. On Thanksgiving Day November 25, 2010, my 14 year old grandson and I were the same height. On his 15th birthday, June 26, 2011 (seven months later) my grandson is two inches taller than me and on a pace to outgrow his 6”, 4” Dad.

Since there are two Keith’s, I decided to call my grandson K2. When he was about two years old, I enjoyed playing catch by rolling a ball on the ground. Two year olds are not yet coordinated, and the ball often rolled past him. Undaunted he chased after it saying, “I’ll get it”. This made us both laugh as we enjoyed each other’s company.

Around that time we started to greet each other by touching our foreheads together. (This is a form of greeting in some countries). As he continued to grow we always have said hello by touching foreheads. Last Thanksgiving Day, we touched our foreheads, and we were at eye level. On his birthday in June, he had to bend down in order for us to greet one another. I was amazed and he was delighted.

I had wondered if as he grew older he would shy away from a ritual which is shared only between the two of us, but he has not and usually initiates the greeting. This expression of caring and appreciation is one of the joys of my life, and I see it as a reflection of the love of my son, his father.

Written By: Thomas Taylor

Grandparents Week: Tuesday's Celebrity List

2011-09-13T01:00:00.001-04:00

James Earl Jones: James was raised by his grandparents in Michigan.

Carol Burnett: She and her sister were both raised by their loving grandmother. It has long been a matter of public record that Burnett credits her grandmother for encouraging her to utilize her comic and musical talents to the fullest.

Gloria Estefan: Gloria was raised from birth by her maternal grandmother who nurtured her musical talents.

EVE: After EVE's parents separated when she was 12, her mother and grandmother helped to raise her.

Juwan Howard: Juwan was raised by his grandmother in Chicago.

Photos Courtesy of: Hark.com, myhero.com, celebritydetective.com, groveeffect.com, peoples-history.com

Grandparents Week: Monday's Celebrity List

2011-09-11T13:56:00.000-04:00

Vince Vaughn: Vince was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and raised in Illinois. His father worked at a casino, and his mother on the stock exchange. Vince's parents were often working, so Vince was cared for primarily by his sisters and grandmother.

Marisa Tomei: Her parents were very busy while she was growing up. To help out, her grandmother, Rita Tomei, assisted in raising her.

Charles Barkley: Charles grew up in Leeds, Alabama, where he was raised by his mother and grandmother.

Kellie Pickler: Kellie was raised by her grandparents from the age of 12, and has been a featured guest at the GrandRally. For more information, visit www.grandrally.org.

Kevin Johnson: Kevin is the current mayor of Sacramento, California. When he was born, his mother was only 16 years old, and at the age of three, his father tragically passed away. As a result, his maternal grandparents assisted in raising him.

Photos Courtesy of: David Shankbone, NNDB, pynkcelebrity.com, sanfransciscosentinel.com

Grandparents Week Blog: "I Love You"

2011-09-11T11:15:00.000-04:00

I don’t have the stories of long nights listening to my grandpa tell stories like many kids. My grandfather was born deaf.

Until I was in high school, he lived in a retirement community in Florida, and I would usually see him once a year during a family visit. Although American Sign Language was my father’s first language, he and my mother are both hearing and sign language wasn’t spoken in my home regularly. I learned to finger spell the alphabet, and a few basic signs, but my communication with grandpa as a child was mostly limited to pantomime, facial expressions, and written notes. My grandmother was also deaf. She lost her hearing as an infant. She would often vocalize some of her words in soft strained tones, but grandpa never made an intentional vocal noise.

Grandpa moved in with my family in high school after my grandmother died. Occupied with schoolwork, clubs, band, sports and friends, I never learned much more sign. However, I did have many warm and sometimes transforming moments with grandpa doing puzzles, watching Wheel of Fortune together, and hearing stories about his childhood thru my dad, the interpreter. Grandpa, who died 9 years ago at 98, remains today to be one of the most direct, humble, gentle and patient men I have ever known.

The year I left for college, grandpa turned 90. Midway thru my first semester, Grandpa and Dad decided to make the 14 hour trip from Illinois to Pennsylvania to come visit. They called me at my dorm from their hotel when they arrived. Dad launched into how the trip went and was starting into making plans to meet up for dinner, when grandpa interrupted and asked for the phone. The next thing I heard was the gentle but dragging murmur of what sounded like a tape recorded voice playing on the wrong speed, “III LLLOVVE YYOUU”. My dad got back on the phone, choked up. “I have never heard my father speak,” he said.

I may not have gotten to spend hours listening to my grandpa tell stories like many kids, but the words I did hear from him, I will never forget.

Written By: Jaia Peterson-Lent

Generations United's Official Statement On The Budget Control Act

2011-08-02T17:51:00.001-04:00

Generations United acknowledges that by passing the Budget Control Act, Congress and the President have taken a necessary step to avoid our nation’s default. As a fiscally responsible nation, we have a duty to both balance our budget and pay back those from whom we have borrowed in a responsible manner. Unfortunately, the debate in Washington seemed to devolve into a manufactured crisis over the federal government’s authority to borrow. As with any compromise, there's good news and bad news.

Generations United supports fiscal discipline and raising the debt limit to ensure that our nation satisfies its obligations, so long as it is done in a responsible way that does not do so on the backs of our nation’s most vulnerable children, youth, and older adults. The Budget Control Act is not perfect. It does however provide important certainty to our economy at a fragile moment by increasing the debt limit by at least $2.1 trillion, eliminating the need for further increases until 2013 and allowing the government to avoid a historic default. The Act also contains some important provisions that reduce the threat to programs and services vital to children, youth, and older adults.

However, the Budget Control Act’s new joint committee and trigger leave room for cuts that could endanger the economic security of young and old alike. Generations United urges the new joint committee members to take this opportunity to protect the young and old now and invest in our future by supporting proposals which would provide adequate revenue to address the needs of our citizens and opposing proposals which would deny individuals, young and old, access to vital programs while giving tax breaks to the wealthy, protecting corporate tax subsidies, and shifting the burden to the middle class.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Debt Deal: How it Could Impact Children, Youth, and Older Adults

The Budget Control Act has two distinct stages. In the first stage, the debt limit will be raised in conjunction with more than $900 billion in spending cuts over the next ten years. In this phase, the Act contains some important provisions that reduce the threat to programs and services vital to children, youth and older adults

However, in the second stage, the risk of cuts to programs critical to the health and welfare of children, youth, and older adults increases. In this phase, an additional $1.5 trillion in budget reductions will be determined by a new joint bi-partisan committee of Congress, who can recommend revenues and cuts as part of its deficit reduction plan. Their recommendations are due by November 23. There are no specific protections for programs to children, youth, and older adults in this phase.

To reach an additional $1.5 trillion in cuts, the joint congressional committee could cut spending to intergenerational programs, such as the following:

Education and Early Care: Head Start, child care, including the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), and K-12 education
Safety-Net Programs: Social Security (ex. by reducing the annual cost of living adjustment, raising the retirement age), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Tax Credits: Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) & Child Tax Credit (CTC)
Health Care: The joint congressional committee will have authority to recommend cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, as well as cuts to funding meant to assist states in implementing the ACA. Not only would this affect Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries directly, but by reducing or eliminating funding necessary to implement the ACA, these cuts could undermine the ACA’s ability to reach its ultimate goal of providing affordable health insurance coverage to all Americans.

If the committee’s recommendations are not enacted, a budget “trigger” will kick in, imposing mandatory across-the-board spending cuts matching the size of the debt ceiling increase.

If the joint congressional committee does not come to an agreement or Congress fails to enact recommendations made by the committee, then across-the-board cuts would be implemented (50% domestic, 50% military).

To stay up-to-date on this issue, sign up for Generations United's Policy Alert.

Ready for our conference!

2011-07-22T14:14:00.000-04:00

All of us at Generations United look forward to welcoming many of our friends and colleagues who will be coming to Washington DC for our 16th International Conference "Rethinking & Revitalizing Intergenerational Connections!" To make sure we were all revitalized and ready, we tried out our new sleeping masks today. There will be no snoozing next week! We look forward to sharing news and updates from the conference all week. Safe travels and we look forward to sharing a fabulous, fun educational event with you! Best, Donna

From our intern, Ishan, age 15

2011-07-20T11:57:00.000-04:00

Since childhood I have always felt a special bonding and passion towards elderly. I would patiently listen to their stories and enjoy their company which has made me a very empathetic and compassionate human being. Since the age of 9, I would visit Hospice residents and buy gifts for them from my savings. After visiting the residents for 5 years, I was awarded at the top of the Hospice donor tree.

I also started volunteering with my mom through Mease Hospital's friend to friend program, where we assist homebound, sick elders with medication and grocery shopping. One day Delores an 82 yrs old senior called asking for milk. When my mom & I went to deliver it we saw two milk gallons already sitting in her refrigerator. When I asked about them, she said she was feeling very lonely and was longing for company. I understood and thought about research pointing out the increased suicide rate among seniors due to isolation.
One day when we visited Ruby, 97 yrs old, she opened the door and started crying. Finally she said. “You know I lost my husband 18 yrs ago.” We responded yes we know. She said “You know I lost my only son about a year ago,” we said yes we know. She said “You know what? Today I lost my only grandson who died in an accident. I do not know why God left me and took my baby boy. I was feeling very sad, and was not sure how I would pass my day today, I am thankful the Lord sent you to me.” There are hundreds of seniors awaiting a visit. Some are in dire need of love and hand hold or a shoulder to cry on.

Increased longevity and the extremely busy lifestyles of many families have made our most valuable seniors very isolated and vulnerable. The Michigan University research of May 28, 2010, shows youth’s empathy has dropped by 40% in 20 years. Seeing this statistic I decided to implement the bonding of these two generations to decrease the suicide rate amongst the elderly and increase empathy among the youth of today.

Lavera & Ishan

This is how my mom and I came upon creating our own organization. Our Motto is “This is how we bridge life.” Grand-Kids” (http://www.ourAIM.org) is a new initiative created with a goal to provide a vehicle to bring youth and senior citizens together, which helps both with life enriching experiences. Our AIM Foundation, a non profit, non denominational, 501 3 (C) organization, has initiated a very beautiful interesting, innovative intergenerational program called Grand Kids. If you'd like to know more, please contact me at info@ouraim.org. Ishan Mandani

What You Need to Know about Social Security

2011-07-18T15:49:00.000-04:00

Have you ever heard someone say Social Security is going bankrupt? Or that Social Security won’t be there for your children and grandchildren? Unfortunately, some politicians have used these lies during debt ceiling debates to frighten the public and further their political agenda. The truth is, as Social Security celebrates its 76th anniversary, it remains one of the nation’s most successful, effective, and popular intergenerational programs.

To help arm intergenerational advocates with the truth about this issue, we’ve highlighted some facts everyone should know about this important program.

1. Social Security is NOT going bankrupt. Social Security has a $2.6 trillion surplus and can pay full benefits through 2036 without any changes. Furthermore, relatively modest changes could be made and would place the program on a sound financial footing for 75 years and beyond. To read more about these recommendations, check out the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) publication: Strengthening Social Security for the Long Run.

2. Social Security did not cause the deficit. Social Security has its own funding stream and did not contribute to the deficit. It should not be cut to reduce a deficit it did not cause. Because Social Security operates from a dedicated self-funding stream, it is projected to be fully solvent until 2036.

3. Social Security will be there for you. Social Security has never missed a payment in 75 years. It is 100% solvent for the next 25 years and, in the highly unlikely case that Congress did not act before 2036, Social Security could still pay about three-fourths of benefits thereafter. With minor changes, Social Security can be solvent for years to come.

4. Social Security is more than a retirement program. It provides essential protections for people of all ages. Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other federal program, protecting 98 percent of the children in the U.S. in the event that they lose a parent. More than 6.5 million children receive part of their family income from Social Security.

5. Social Security benefits are modest. As politicians continue to discuss Social Security reform, it’s important to note that cuts to Social Security would dramatically affect an individual’s benefits. Social Security benefits are much more modest than many people realize. In June 2010, the average Social Security retirement benefit is about $14,000 a year. (The average disabled worker and aged widow received slightly less.)

6. Americans would rather pay more than see benefits cut. 87 percent of all Americans agree that they don’t mind paying for Social Security because of the security and stability it provides to millions of Americans. (Survey sponsored by NASI and Rockefeller Foundation in Fall 2009).

7. Almost half of all seniors would be poor without Social Security. Social Security lifts 13 million older adults age 65 and older out of poverty.

8. For many grandfamilies, Social Security is essential to their families’ survival. Social Security is a safeguard for families when tragedy strikes. The vast majority of grandparent caregivers did not plan to raise another family and unexpectedly find themselves caring for their grandchildren. Many of these grandparents live on fixed incomes and find themselves forced to make decisions between paying for diapers and formula for the children or prescription drugs for themselves. Even with Social Security benefits, 22 percent of grandparent-headed families are poor. Without Social Security benefits, the group’s poverty rate would be 59 percent or more. Read more about what’s at stake for grandfamilies in our publication: What’s at Stake for Children, Youth, and Grandfamilies.

9. Changes already enacted will cut Social Security benefits by 19 percent for future retirees. In the 1980s, Congress enacted changes to ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security. Those changes cut retirement benefits by 19 percent for workers born in 1960 and later, and more cuts could undermine the basic economic security of future retirees. To help educate the public and Members of Congress on this complex issue, NASI recently released a report on the effects of this piece of legislation.

10. Social Security should be strengthened, not cut.

Generations United believes the best way to invest in and protect our nation’s most vulnerable citizens is to strengthen Social Security, not cut it. Social Security plays a critical role in providing economic security and indispensable protections for children, families, and retirees. Social Security provides vital support for children, in addition to older adults, covering 98 percent of all children in the event of the death or disability of a caregiver.

In order to improve Social Security for future generations, Generations United continues to advocate for one low-cost recommendation that would strengthen Social Security for future generations: reinstating the student benefit. Restoring the Social Security student benefit would offer students whose parents are deceased and disabled the support they need to become the educated workforce our country’s economy needs. To read more about our recommendation, download our publication Social Security: What's at Stake for Children, Youth, and Grandfamilies.

This article is the final installment in Generations United’s Budget Blog Series.

The House Budget: What’s In Ryan’s “Path to Prosperity”, & How Would It Affect Me?

2011-07-14T12:18:00.000-04:00

The Path to Prosperity, introduced by Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) has been at the epicenter of the 2012 budget debate. After passing the U.S. House of Representatives, this House Budget Resolution was struck down in the Senate. However, the plan remains very relevant today, as portions of the plan, particularly deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, are still being considered.

According to a recent poll by Kaiser, a majority of Americans say they are opposed to cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs that provide critical support to older adults and children. Cuts proposed by the House Budget Resolution would impact services for older adults and children dramatically. If the plan was enacted, federal spending would shrink to about 20 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2015 – this is the lowest level since 1951, a time when federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid didn’t even exist.

Generations United opposes these harmful cuts and urges Congress to balance the budget in a responsible way that doesn't do so on the backs of our nation's children, older adults, and other vulnerable groups. For these reasons, it is important for individuals of all ages to learn about the spending cuts proposed by the House Budget and advocate for shared sacrifice in any upcoming budget proposal.

Among others, the budget plan calls for the following cuts:

· $2.17 trillion in reductions from Medicaid and related health care programs.

· $350 billion from other mandatory programs serving low-income Americans. For instance, The Ryan Plan implies that federal funding for SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as the food stamp program) would be substantially reduced.

· $400 billion in cuts in low-income discretionary programs. For example, The Ryan Plan identifies Pell Grants and low-income housing assistance as prime targets for substantial cuts.

In addition, the budget plan calls for the following harmful reforms:

Repealing the Affordable Care Act

Repealing the new health care law would remove access to affordable, high-quality, comprehensive health care coverage for children, youth, people with disabilities, families and older adults. Without this historic piece of legislation, insurance companies will go back to denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions. Women may be charged more than men for insurance, simply because of their gender. And, families may continue to go without the affordable, quality care they deserved. Moreover, repealing the ACA would not lower health care costs. In fact, a recent report estimates that state governments will actually save $90 billion from 2014 to 2019 because of implementation of the ACA’s major reforms.

Converting Medicaid into a Block Grant

This proposal would cut Medicaid funding by $771 billion over the next ten years and convert it to a block grant. As a result, states would receive less money from the federal government to assist low-income individuals who are eligible, leaving states with inadequate funding. With less federal dollars to provide the same services, the block grant would ultimately force states to shift these costs onto the backs of providers and beneficiaries in the midst of tough economic times. This could increase costs and jeopardize the delivery of critical health care services for older adults receiving Medicaid benefits for long-term care and the more than 30 million children Medicaid serves.

Turning Medicare into a Voucher Program

The House Budget Resolution would turn Medicare into a voucher program in which older adults receive a limited amount to buy increasingly expensive private health insurance. If passed, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that older adults' out-of-pocket medical costs would rise twice as fast as currently projected. Recent polls show that the public is strongly opposed to cuts to Medicare, with many noting Medicare's important role in providing financial security in their retirement.

Converting The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) into a Block Grant

The House Budget Resolution would cut SNAP (formerly known as the food stamp program) by nearly 20 percent and convert the program into a block grant. By capping the amount of federal funding the program can receive, a block grant structure would eliminate SNAP’s ability to respond to rising need. For example, due to the economic downturn, the demand for SNAP benefits for all generations has increased. With a substantial loss in federal funding, it will be increasingly difficult for states to provide benefits to those eligible. Almost a third of SNAP beneficiaries are older adults or individuals with disabilities, and almost three-quarters of SNAP benefits are used by families with children.

For more in-depth information on the how the House Budget Resolution would impact children and older adults, please review the following resources from our partners:

Child Welfare League of America: What Does a Medicaid Block Grant Mean for Children in Child Welfare

AARP: House Republicans Propose Remake of Medicare and Medicaid

Center on Budget & Policy Priorities:

Ryan Budget Would Increase Health Care Spending for Medicare Beneficiaries

Ryan Plan Specifies Spending Path That Would Nearly End Most of Government Other Than Social Security, Health Care, and Defense by 2050

Chairman Ryan Gets Nearly Two-Thirds of His Huge Budget Cuts From Programs for Lower-Income Americans

House-Passed Proposal to Block-Grant and Cut SNAP (Food Stamps) Rests on False Claims About Program Growth

This article is the second installment in Generations United’s Budget Blog Series.

5 Things Intergenerational Advocates Should Know About the National Debt and Deficit

2011-07-13T09:00:00.026-04:00

The ongoing debate surrounding the national debt and deficit can be confusing, especially when it comes to discerning facts from misleading political rhetoric. Generations United has identified five key points related to the national deficit that our members should know about in order to be well informed on this very important issue;

1. The national debt itself is not a measure of financial impact across generations.

What is important is how the debt affects the economy at the time when the government borrows the money. Whether or not the national debt will be detrimental to future generations is determined by the quality of the society that we pass on. If the debt is increased by positive investments (such as education and health care) we ensure a healthier workforce and the future economy will benefit as a result.

2. During periods of economic weakness, deficit spending actually can grow the economy.

While a deficit can in principle lead to higher interest rates and lower productivity when the economy is functioning near capacity, it actually can help bolster the economy during a downturn. The primary issue during a recession is a lack of demand. Government spending and/or tax cuts at that time can increase demand as well as output and employment. Higher output means that companies will invest more and that future generations will be made wealthier as a result.

3. The majority of the forecasted budget deficit problem is caused by high and rising costs in the private healthcare sector.

The federal government pays out over half of the country’s total health care costs via Medicare, Medicaid, and other related programs. Most of that money goes to the private health care sector. The cost of this care in the coming years is projected to rise far more rapidly than our current rate of economic growth. If we can find a way to control the increasing cost of health care, then the budget deficit will become much more manageable.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010 takes significant steps to reduce the increasing cost of health care by ensuring that all Americans have access to preventative care services and affordable coverage. By creating incentives to treat health care issues earlier and in primary care facilities, rather than costly emergency rooms, the ACA will reduce health care costs considerably over time; most of these changes will occur beginning in 2014, with the introduction of state-based “exchanges,” marketplaces where consumers and small business owners can purchase affordable health insurance, much like shopping online for a plane ticket or a hotel room. According to a recent study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, state governments will spend at least $90 billion less from 2014 to 2019 because of the ACA’s reforms.

4. Social Security has its own funding stream, and it will be fully funded until 2036.

Some people have suggested fixing the deficit by cutting into Social Security. In reality, Social Security did not contribute to the deficit, and it should not be cut to reduce a deficit it did not cause. Because Social Security operates from a dedicated self-funding stream, it is projected to be fully solvent until 2036.

Much of the current debate around the national deficit has focused on the idea of cutting into Social Security to help alleviate the current and projected budgetary shortfalls. Generations United strongly opposes that course of action. It makes little sense to cut benefits from a program that has proven itself to be self-sustaining, especially a program like Social Security that is so valuable to all generations. Furthermore, the amount of the deficit that could be reduced by cutting into Social Security pales in comparison to the amount of the deficit that could be reduced by letting the tax cuts of the early 2000s expire or reducing the spending allocated to conflicts overseas and addressing the rising private health care costs.

5. A constitutional balanced budget amendment means cuts to critical programs.

A balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution would threaten our economic security while raising a host of problems for the operation of Social Security and other vital federal functions. Requiring a balanced budget every year, no matter the state of the economy, would raise serious risks of tipping weak economies into recession and making recessions longer and deeper, causing very large job losses. That’s because the amendment would force policymakers to cut spending, raise taxes, or both just when the economy is weak or already in recession — the exact opposite of what good economic policy would advise.

Generations United hopes that these five key points have answered some of the questions that our members may have had concerning the national debt and deficit.

For more information on these issues, please visit the following sites:

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Center for Economic and Policy Research

This article is the first installment in Generations United’s Budget Blog Series.

Generations United's Reponse to Possible Social Security Cuts

2011-07-07T15:54:00.001-04:00

Photo: Pete Souza | Official White House Photo

Today, news outlets announced that President Obama plans to propose significant reductions in Medicare spending and for the first time will offer to tackle the rising cost of Social Security.

Experts are speculating that the President is considering Social Security cuts to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). This would be done by changing the formula used to calculate the annual COLA to the so-called chained-CPI (Consumer Price Index). This technical change would cut the benefits people have earned – whether they receive Social Security now or in the future. After ten years, average retiree benefits will be cut by about $600 a year, and after 20 years, they will be cut by about $1,000 a year.

Generations United is focused on protecting Social Security and Medicare for the millions of children, families, and retirees that rely on these critical programs. Furthermore, Social Security did not contribute to the deficit, and it should not be cut to reduce a deficit it did not cause. Generations United urges Congress to balance the budget in a responsible way that doesn't do so on the backs of our nation's most vulnerable citizens.

Generations United believes the best way to invest in and protect our nation’s most vulnerable citizens is to strengthen Social Security, not cut it. Social Security plays a critical role in providing economic security and indispensable protections for children, families, and retirees. Social Security provides vital support for children, in addition to older adults, covering 98 percent of all children in the event of the death or disability of a caregiver.

In order to improve Social Security for future generations, Generations United continues to advocate for one low-cost recommendation that would strengthen Social Security for future generations: reinstating the student benefit. Restoring the Social Security student benefit would offer students whose parents are deceased and disabled the support they need to become the educated workforce our country’s economy needs. To read more about our recommendation, download our publication Social Security: What's at Stake for Children, Youth, and Grandfamilies.

To read more about this story, check out today’s Washington Post article.

To read more about the COLA cut, check out the Strengthen Social Security Campaign’s analysis.

Eisner Prize Site Visit

2011-06-27T17:01:00.000-04:00

Trent & Donna

Many thanks to Eisner Foundation's Trent Stamp, executive director, and Cathy Choi, program officer, for visiting Generations United's world headquarters! We were elated when we were recently named one of five finalists for the inaugural $100,000 Eisner Prize for Intergenerational Excellence. As part of the process, Trent and Cathy came by today to learn more about our work and present us with a check for $5,000. The winner will be determined in September and the award will be presented at the Grantmakers in Aging conference in October. While we would love to win, we are simply honored to be one of the finalists along with our four terrific friends-Experience Corps, the Intergenerational Center at Temple University, DOROT and Ebenezer Ridges. The Eisner family and foundation staff deserve our deepest gratitude for conceiving of the idea for the prize and for their commitment to inspiring quality intergenerational practices. For more information and to watch the progress of the prize, go to http://www.eisnerfoundation.org/. Best, Donna

Seniors4Kids coming to Colorado!

2011-06-22T11:02:00.001-04:00

GU staff prepare mailing to Colorado friends

Generations United is bringing Seniors4Kids to Colorado! Building on our success in Kentucky, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, we are beginning the outreach and groundwork to bring Seniors4Kids to Colorado in late 2011. If you know anyone 50+ who lives in Colorado and cares about investments in quality early care and education, tell them about Seniors4Kids. Seniors4Kids mobilizes older adults as the advocates for children who can't advocate for themselves. Signing up as a Captain4Kids can be as easy as signing a petition, calling a policy maker, writing a letter to the editor and/or attending events to demonstrate older adults care about the future. To learn more about Seniors4Kids go to http://www.seniors4kids.org/. Sign up for S4K alerts to keep posted on our progress and join a movement that demonstrates we are stronger together.

Thank you and happy summer! Best, Donna

Generations United a Finalist for the Eisner Prize

2011-06-02T17:11:00.000-04:00

We received some really great news today from the Eisner Foundation: Generations United—along with four of our esteemed colleague organizations—is a finalist for the inaugural $100,000 Eisner Prize for Intergenerational Excellence.

Joining us as semifinalists are: DOROT, Inc. of New York, New York; Ebenezer Ridges of Burnsville, Minn.; Experience Corps, Washington, DC; Intergenerational Center at Temple University, Philadelphia, Penn. We couldn’t be happier for them, or for the entire intergenerational field.

The Eisner Foundation’s decision to create a prize specifically to recognize efforts that unite multiple generations is a milestone.It means the intergenerational movement has really arrived. It means people have noticed our work. More important, it means that people value what we do and what we are trying to achieve. That’s heady stuff.

Being selected for such a prestigious award is affirmation of the hard work and dedication of Generations United’s talented staff, top-of-the-line volunteers, and a magnificent, active board that leads us with a sure and steady hand. I’m sure all of the finalists could say the same about their own organizations.

It will be difficult waiting until October 27^th when the 2011 Eisner Prize will finally be announced at the Grantmakers in Aging annual conference.

But no matter who wins, we will celebrate, because each finalist is an integral part of the whole. Each has contributed mightily to our cause, to society-at-large, and to individuals of every age. That is something to celebrate—and we have the Eisner Foundation to thank for helping place a national spotlight on our collective good works.

Generations United's Response to Samuelson's "Affluent Elderly"

2011-05-26T11:11:00.008-04:00

In a recent edition of the Washington Post, Robert J. Samuelson launched yet another broadside against Social Security and Medicare and the supposedly “well-off” elderly population in America [“The affluent elderly, Opinions, May 16”]. Generations United’s Program Committee took exception to Samuelson’s article and wrote a Letter to the Editor rebutting Samuelson’s argument.

While the Post did not publish the letter, we wanted to share the gist of it with you:

Samuelson’s argument is convincing—if you take his statistics on face value. But you shouldn’t.

Let’s begin with how Mr. Samuelson wrongly characterizes these important programs. First, and most unfortunately, he implies that Social Security and Medicare are retirement programs and that only elderly Americans receive “benefits.” Not true. These programs provide critical financial support to individuals with disabilities and their families, children whose parents have died, and families headed by grandparents or other relatives.

In fact, Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other federal program. Today, 6.5 million children receive part of their family income from Social Security.

Samuelson also claims that the median net worth (assets minus debts) of 65-plus households is twice the amount for households aged 45 to 54. What he fails to note, however, is that much of our elderly’s net worth is tied up in their homes. Homes which are difficult to sell even in the best of times, often because of the updates and maintenance required. You can’t modernize homes with a limited income. Nor can you eat roof shingles or drywall. It takes liquid assets to buy groceries.

But Samuelson’s most egregious misstep is that he advances his argument by pitting old against young. Such a tactic weakens the social fabric. A nation is like a family: we should and must work together for the common good.

We were disappointed in not getting our letter published. At the same time, we were heartened that the Post did choose to publish an opinion submitted by John Rother, Executive Vice President of AARP and a member of the Generations United Board of Directors. We encourage you to read Rother’s thoughtful letter, which appeared in the Post’s May 19th edition.

Happy Mother’s Day from Generations United!

2011-05-09T11:06:00.000-04:00

Photo is Courtesy of: SOS Children's Villages

On Friday, May 6, 2011, President Obama released his Presidential Proclamation for Mother’s Day, highlighting the tremendous sacrifices and challenges women face in raising their families each day. The President also recognized the impact our mothers and the women who care for us have in shaping our lives and our country’s future; many amazing women must juggle not only family and work, but also the care of an elderly parent and the needs of our neighborhoods and communities. As the President stated, “[w]hether an adoptive mom or grandmother, mother or partner, the women who raise us show us that no hurdle is too high, and no dream is beyond our reach.”

Generations United celebrates these remarkable women whose love, compassion, and dedication enrich our families and communities each day. Although Mother’s Day has just passed, there are still many opportunities to honor the wonderful women and men whose love and support has made a difference in your life. We encourage you to take time to do so today and every day. Here a few ideas to help you start:

Create a customized video to tell your mother or loved one just how much you appreciate them.

Nominate your “Other Mother” for the award he or she deserves. An “Other Mother” is man or woman who "mothered" you when your own biological parent could not. These unsung heroes are sometimes grandparents, sometimes uncles, aunts, family friends, neighbors, teachers or even distant acquaintances who took it upon themselves to help you when you most needed support. The grand prize winner will receive a well-deserved weekend getaway. Nominations will be accepted until May 22.

It's Older Americans Month!

2011-05-03T17:19:00.000-04:00

Image courtesy OlderAmericansMonth.org

Older Americans Month is an occasion to show appreciation and support for older adults as they continue to enrich and strengthen our communities.

This year's theme—Older Americans: Connecting the Community—pays homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities, and highlights how technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier, and more engaged lives.

The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) is sponsoring the Connecting Generations Video Challenge in celebration of Older Americans Month 2011. The Challenge will bring together multiple generations to create 90 second videos featuring the roles seniors play in connecting us all. The AoA will post contest entries online, where participants can view and comment on all the videos. A panel of judges will select the top 10 entries, and the general public will then vote for the winner from the finalists. Entry Deadline Extended to May 9, 2011! For more information on the challenge, visit their website here.

This week President Obama signed a Presidential Proclamation declaring May 2011 as Older Americans Month. We hope you join us in acknowledging the contributions of older Americans during this month and throughout the year!

Generations United's Response to The President’s Deficit-Reduction Speech

2011-04-14T16:12:00.000-04:00

As the President made clear in his speech yesterday, “we are all connected…some things we can only do together.” Generations United applauds the President for recognizing that fiscal policy affects all generations and for advocating for a balanced deficit reduction plan focused on shared sacrifice. As the President stated, programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid not only protect aging seniors, poor children, and those with disabilities, but they provide each of us with “some basic measure of security…in hard times or bad luck, [in the event of] a crippling illness, or a layoff [which] may strike any one of us.”

Generations United supports the President’s pledge to invest in and protect our nation’s most vulnerable citizens by strengthening Social Security. Social Security provides vital support for children, in addition to older adults, covering 98 percent of all children in the event of the death or disability of a caregiver.

We also support the President’s effort to reform the tax code to promote balanced economic growth and provide adequate revenues to address the needs of our citizens and to preserve Medicare and Medicaid for future generations. Proposals which would change Medicaid to a block grant would leave states with inadequate funding and ultimately shift the burden of medical costs onto the backs of seniors and poor families.

Generations United strongly opposes proposals which deny low-income individuals, young and old, access to programs vital to their economic security while giving tax breaks to the wealthy, protecting corporate tax subsidies, and shifting the burden to the middle class.

We urge our members and supporters to reject extreme proposals which would weaken these critical federal protections, prolong our economic recession, and endanger the welfare of the young, old, and disabled.

Generations United Statement on FY2012 Budget Proposal

2011-04-06T16:51:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) introduced his budget proposal for FY2012. Though Generations United supports the need to reduce the country’s deficit based on a principle of shared sacrifice, we strongly oppose Congressman Ryan’s proposal.

If enacted, it would have the effect in the long term of harming millions of our nation’s children, older adults, and other vulnerable groups. This plan would have devastating effects on our education and health systems, shift financial burdens to states, eliminate crucial safety net programs that help struggling families, and further weaken our economy.

The White House aptly summarized the effects of this proposal in a statement released yesterday. “It cuts taxes for millionaires and special interests while placing a greater burden on seniors who depend on Medicare or live in nursing homes, families struggling with a child who has serious disabilities, workers who have lost their health care coverage and students and their families who rely on Pell grants.”

Generations United opposes these harmful cuts and urges Congress to balance the budget in a responsible way that doesn't do so on the backs of our nation's most vulnerable groups.

Social Security Rally on Capitol Hill

2011-03-28T16:55:00.009-04:00

This afternoon more than 300 supporters of Social Security turned out at an event on Capitol Hill to stand in support of this important intergenerational program. Among them, 14 year old Michael Owens gave his testimony about the impact Social Security has had in his life.

Michael and his Grandma Pat

Michael's grandparents raised him since the day he was born. When he was four, they became his legal guardians. Unfortunately, before he could be legally adopted by both of them, his grandpa passed away in 2006. But in 2008 his grandma carried through with the adoption and ever since then he’s been fortunate to receive Social Security. Even at the age of 14, Michael knows how important Social Security is for his family. “Social Security means a lot of things to me, especially since my grandpa died. It helps my grandma and me with the basic things, but also means I can do things that other children get to do, like participating in sports. My grandma takes very good care of me, but we could not survive without Social Security. “

Later in the event, five U.S. Senators announced their support for protecting Social Security for today’s recipients and future beneficiaries. For two of the Senators protecting Social Security is not just political, it’s personal.

Senator Tom Harkin

Growing up Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and his four siblings were raised by his father, Patrick, a coal miner and his mother, Frances. After years of working as a coal miner, Patrick Harkin was disabled by black lung disease and was unable to work. In 1950, Senator Harkin’s mother passed away. He was just ten years old. In 1951 Patrick Harkin qualified for Social Security and was able to raise his family with the benefits. “It if hadn’t have been for Social Security, I don’t know what would have happened to my family. How would we have stayed together? It's the only income we had. It kept us together and in school.” remarked Senator Harkin. “I lived it and saw what it did for my family. The promise of Social Security is one that we must keep and one which we will continue to insist on for future generations.”

Sen. Al Franken with his wife Franni

Senator Al Franken (D-MN) also shared his personal stake in Social Security. At just 17-months-old, his wife, Franni, lost her father—a decorated veteran of WWII—in a car accident that left her mother widowed with five kids at the age of 29. “Sometimes they didn’t have enough food on the table; sometimes they’d turn off the heat,” Franken said. “They made it because of Pell Grants, scholarships, and Social Security survivor benefits. And my mother-in-law and every one of those five kids became a productive member of society.” Senator Franken discussed how the government has a duty to provide for those in need through Social Security. “It is important that we preserve Social Security and give our children and grandchildren the same fighting chance we all had growing up.”

All over the country, Social Security is making a difference in people’s lives. Social Security is more than a retirement program. It provides essential protections for people spanning all ages, from infants to retirees. In the upcoming weeks as the Senate votes on the Sanders/Reid Social Security Protection Amendment, Generations United urges Members of Congress to support this intergenerational program and protect the promise of Social Security for all generations.

For more information on how Social Security benefits all generations, check out our publications:
Social Security: What's at Stake for Children, Youth, and Grandfamilies
The Benefits of Social Security for Children
The Benefits of Social Security for Grandfamilies

Our Friends in Japan

2011-03-16T18:35:00.002-04:00

When a disaster hits, our thoughts and hearts go to those we know who may be touched directly. At Generations United, our thoughts went to our friends and colleagues who have join us over the years at our international conference. In 2005 we hosted a terrific delegation from Japan at our international conference who shared remarkable stories about their intergenerational work in various regions of the country. They impressed us with traditional dress at our awards dinner and their spirit. The next year I was invited, along with several other USA and international collaborators, by Drs Atsuko Kusano and Matt Kaplan to Japan to speak at the first conference held by the newly formed Japan Intergenerational Unity Network. We still have the beautiful paper lantern that has the JIUN and Generations United logos painted on the side that Dr. Mitsumune Tago gave us hanging in our lobby.

After thinking about them for days, today I heard back from Dr. Atsuko Kusano and then received word about our former staff member, Sachiko “Sachi” Taira, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Not to deny the situation is still unfolding, but grateful they, their families and many of the others we have met are okay.
While news has included coverage of older adults being cast aside during the terror that unfolded, there are also stories about those who helped others in need. As the days go on what we know from other horrific events is that younger will look to older for reassurance that recovery is possible. The longer perspectives that can help bring calm. Sachi’s words of wisdom reminded me of that.

“I am confident we Japanese are strong. Everybody has a SAMURAI spirit. I always think Japanese body is smaller than the other people. But our heart is very strong and big so that we can bear with anything. We can't tell how long it will take, but I am confident we can recover.”

Know that all of us at Generations United are rooting for you. We believe as the generations pull together, you will recover too.

Awards Season Isn’t Over Yet

2011-03-03T11:10:00.003-05:00

Hollywood’s award season officially ended this past weekend with the Oscars. But at Generations United, we’re just getting started. This month, Generations United seeks nominations/submissions for outstanding individuals and organizations that make significant contributions towards rethinking and revitalizing intergenerational connections. Categories include: grandfamilies award, innovation award, leadership for outstanding support of intergenerational programs, outstanding older adult volunteer, outstanding youth volunteer, shared site award, and the Brabazon Award for Research Evaluation.

The Generations United 16th International Conference will take place this summer and one of my favorite events is the Awards Banquet. During the bi-annual gala we celebrate the unsung heroes and heroines who, through their hard work and dedication, make Generations United’s mission come to fruition in their communities. One recent recipient that stands out in my mind is Carrie Ryan. She received the Generations United Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award of 2009.

While in high school, Carrie founded Bridging the Generations, an organization that connects high schools and retirement communities through service-learning projects. She then enrolled in an independent study course called “Images of Aging in Literature” which led her to further pursue her passion for intergenerational programs by connection her high school with a senior facility, Monte Vista Grove Homes, and creating a computer lab. During the summer of 2008, Carrie worked at the computer lab to help the older adult residents become computer literate using lesson plans that she created herself. Throughout the summer, 52 Monte Vista Grove residents used the computer lab with 30 of them attending regularly.

Using her outstanding work as a model, Carrie’s high school alma mater went on to create a senior seminar course with the same name, “Images of Aging in Literature.” Following in her footsteps, other students went on to develop their own service-learning projects to help them further understand aging issues. Carrie now studies at Sewanee University, heading the Senior Citizen’s Outreach Club. She has expanded the club’s outreach to three local retirement communities and recruited many of her fellow college students to participate in visits to these older adult homes. Carrie now acts as an ambassador for intergenerational issues by speaking to audiences about the importance of connecting the generations.

Carrie Ryan is just one example of the amazing work being done by youth, older adults, and everyone in between to connect the generations. If you know someone, or are that person, who does great intergenerational work we hope you’ll consider nominating them.

For guidelines and the application form, visit here. Send submissions to the attention of Anne Tria Wise by email at awise@gu.org or mail at 1331 H Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20005 by March 31, 2011. Generations United will notify recipients by May 15, 2011.

Obama's 2012 Budget Contains Deep Cuts But Offers Boosts To Other Programs

2011-02-16T15:55:00.016-05:00

This week Generations United's Policy Team issued a policy alert in response to President Obama's 2012 Budget. We express disappointment that the president's budget contains cuts to valuable programs such as a $2.53 billion reduction for home-heating to poor families and cuts to community services block grants.

However, there is also much to applaud, including a proposed $1.3 billion increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, a suggested $866 million increase for Head Start and a suggested $350 million to create an Early Learning Challenge Fund.

The budget also contains provisions to assist older adults, including $10 million for Lifespan Respite, $192 million for National Family Caregiver Support Program, $8 million for Native American Caregiver Support, and $13 million for Aging and Disability Resource Centers.

The president's 2012 budget would allow AmeriCorps, the nation's largest national-service program, to grow to 90,000 members.

The policy alert also addresses the proposed House GOP cuts to the 2011 budget, calling it "damaging to families and children." For example, the nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) stands to lose nearly $1.1 billion in funding. Community health services are also proposed to be cut by $1.3 billion, reducing access in care for families.

We urge you to contact your member of Congress to voice your opinion on these detrimental cuts. You can read more analysis in the full policy alert here.

Rich Robinson is Press Secretary for Generations United. You can reach him directly at rrobinson@gu.org

Generations United Supports the Obama Administration Social Security Principles

2011-02-14T17:17:00.002-05:00

The White House put forward six principles for Social Security reform, none of which suggest benefit cuts of any kind. In fact, the Administration doesn’t appear to embrace any recommendations for Social Security reform from the Deficit Commission. The Commission had called for a higher retirement age and a scaling back of benefits.

Here are the six principles:

Any reform should strengthen Social Security for future generations and restore long-term solvency.
The Administration will oppose any measures that privatize or weaken the Social Security system.
While all measures to strengthen solvency should be on the table, the Administration will not accept an approach that slashes benefits for future generations.
No current beneficiaries should see their basic benefits reduced.
Reform should strengthen retirement security for the most vulnerable, including low-income seniors.
Reform should maintain robust disability and survivors’ benefits.

We encourage the White House to hold firm and protect Social Security for all generations.

We Welcome Two New Board Members

2011-02-09T13:34:00.002-05:00

We're happy to announce the election of Sandra Nathan and Marla Viorst to Generations United's Board of Directors. The pair were introduced at our recent winter board meeting.

Sandra is Senior Vice President, Economic Security at the National Council on Aging. She leads NCOA's efforts to improve work force opportunities for Older Americans. She has a rich resume in human services, with two decades of leadership experience in government and social services. Most recently she served as President and CEO of the Richmond's Children's Foundation, following top positions with Santa Clara County, CA, the San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services and AARP. Dr. Nathan earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology at the University of San Diego, her Master's degree in Public Administration at National University in San Diego and a Doctorate of Philosophy at International Apostolic University in Dayton, OH.

Marla Viorst is Senior Vice President at Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates. She has more than ten years of experience working on a range of public affairs issues, such as trade and immigration, food safety and healthcare. Her knowledge and strategic council has led to the creation and execution of successful programs in a number of disciplines, including message development and dissemination, ally development, reputation management, and regulatory and legislative affairs. She earned a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Indiana University and a Master's degree in English Literature from Northwestern University.

"Sandra and Marla bring a wealth of knowledge to Generations United's mission," said Board Chair William L. Minnix, President and CEO of LeadingAge. "Both are deeply committed to improving conditions for vulnerable populations such as our oldest and youngest."

Rich Robinson is Press Secretary for Generations United. You can reach him directly at rrobinson@gu.org

Obama's Appeal For Cooperation Could Yield Positive Congressional Results

2011-01-27T17:37:00.008-05:00

In his State of the Union address this week, President Obama issued a strong appeal to lawmakers to move into a new era of cooperation. Echoing this sentiment, members of Congress sat side by side with colleagues from opposing parties, rather than their tradition of party divide on either aisle. In the same spirit, Congress and the president should join together to promote and preserve policies that serve children, youth and older adults mutually, because we're stronger together.

Obama addressed the fiscal challenges ahead and announced a 5-year freeze on domestic spending. But, he made clear his commitment to preserving protections to those who need it most my making sure we "are not doing on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens."

We applaud the president's challenge to find a bipartisan solution to strengthen Social Security, without putting at risk current retirees or people with disabilities and without slashing benefits for future generations. His call should not overlook the critical role Social Security also plays in the lives of 6.5 million children today that receive part of their family income from it.

Reiterating his commitment to education, the president noted in order to achieve innovation to produce jobs in America, then we must win the race to educate our children. We support early investments to provide every child with an opportunity to succeed.

The president's call for a review of government regulations presents an opportunity to reduce barriers and streamline efficiency. Not only will this facilitate better communication and partnerships between government agencies, it will create opportunities for the government to work together to identify ways in which communities can deliver critical services to all generations.

Finally, President Obama's openness to improvements in the Affordable Care Ace is laudable, as is his unwillingness to return to practices that allowed insurance companies to deny coverage to someone of any age because if a pre-existing condition. He affirmed making prescription drugs cheaper for senior citizens and giving uninsured students a chance to stay on their parents'coverage have been crucial facets of an important protection to families.

The president rightly declared "the future is ours to win." The path to that victory is paved with cooperation and intergenerational solutions to our nation's challenges. We urge Congress and the president to keep working together -- because we are stronger, together.

Rich Robinson is press secretary for Generations United. You can reach him directly at rrobinson@gu.org

Communicate Your Intergenerational Mission

2011-01-25T11:59:00.002-05:00

By Anne Tria Wise

You need volunteers. You want people to give. You would like greater participation in your programs and services. To attract and engage participants, volunteers, donors and community supporters, intergenerational programs must effectively communicate their missions.

On January 20, Generations United hosted a Learning Network Webinar that featured presentations by Civic Ventures and Generations Incorporated. Using Civic Ventures encore career campaign as a case study, Michelle Hynes showed the Learning Network how to convey impact and value with personality, passion and commitment. She also walked the group through a strategic choice on the campaign's website, to shift away from organization-centric content to more dynamic and interactive engagement with their key audiences.

Mary Gunn and CT Ransdell showed participants how Generations Incorporated uses social media including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogging and e-alerts to communicate their mission. Their organization recently raised almost $10,000 as part of a Facebook campaign in partnership with the Rodman Ride for Kids. CT gave helpful suggestions on how to make Facebook donation requests fresh and interesting for readers. Asked how many times a day he updates their Twitter feed, CT noted that he tweets for the organization five times a day following standard nonprofit technology best practice recommendations. Using an application like SocialOomph also helps him manage his time effectively by setting up tweets in advance.

Download a copy of the presentation (PDF, 1.5MB). Help Generations United continue the conversation in the comments section below. What does your intergenerational program do to communicate your mission? Do you use any interesting tools that could help other intergenerational programs? If you use social media, connect with us on Blogger, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Anne Tria Wise is the Intergenerational Engagement Manager at Generations United. You can reach her directly at awise@gu.org

Remembering Sargent Shriver

2011-01-19T13:02:00.007-05:00

We pause to reflect on the loss of Sargent Shriver, the first director of the Peace Corps, service advocate, and leader of the war on poverty, who passed away at the age of 95. During his career in public service he confronted a range of conflicts that pitted Americans against each other. Though for many in politics it was commonplace to fall in line with this frame of mind, Shriver focused on the betterment of all generations.

During John F. Kennedy’s presidency, Shriver served as the first Director of the Peace Corps—a roll which carried over into President Johnson’s term. In the Johnson Administration he created the Office of Economic Opportunity and served as its first Director. In this position, he created an initiative to tackle the War on Poverty in order to eliminate the economic and social roots of the conflict over civil rights in America. Like the Peace Corps, the programs of the War on Poverty - including Head Start, Job Corps, VISTA, Community Action Program, Legal Services to the Poor, and one of the longest running intergenerational programs in the country, Foster Grandparents - continue to serve Americans today.

President Obama remarked, “Over the course of his long and distinguished career, Sarge came to embody the idea of public service.” Sargent Shriver was an inspiring figure whose life reaffirms the role that government can play in producing positive, creative change for people of all generations. Shriver’s legacy should serve as a reminder to all of us that in order to combat political tension we must transform the roots of the conflict. As we continue to address our nation’s challenges, we should reflect on Sargent Shriver’s legacy and remember that together, through acts of service and sacrifice in our communities, we can improve the lives of all generations.

Image courtesy SargentShriver.org

No On Health Care Repeal

2011-01-18T11:32:00.006-05:00

From the Generations United Policy Team:

On Wednesday, Congress is scheduled to vote on repealing the Affordable Care Act (bill number H.R. 2), the health care reform legislation that passed last March. We would urge lawmakers not to vote in support of the repeal. Last spring's health reform legislation was in response to the struggle many Americans have in finding access to quality affordable health care. The health reform legislation grants access to children, young adults and older people below the Medicare-eligible age of 65 by:

Preventing insurance companies from denying children coverage for pre-existing conditions
Providing relief for four million seniors that have a gap in prescription drug coverage
Allowing young people to remain on their parent's insurance until age 26
Investing $5 billion to provide needed financial help for employment-based plans which will continue to supply valuable coverage to people who retire between the ages of 55 and 65, as well as their spouses and dependents

In 2009 -- prior to the passage of health reform legislation -- 1.5 million Americans lost health coverage. The health care act is slated to increase the number of insured by 32 million and the newly insured span all generations. Families suffer when one of their members -- and any age-- can't access quality health care. And without the Affordable Care Act, medical crises will continue to push families into bankruptcy.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, H.R. 2 would increase the federal budget deficit by $145 billion from 2012 to 2019, and $230 billion from 2012 to 2021. It is imperative that lawmakers not pass H.R. 2 as it will be devastating to children, young adults and older people.

When Tragedy Can Bring Us Together

2011-01-10T16:59:00.005-05:00

Trying to make sense of a traumatic event is never easy. If anything can be gained from the tragic shooting in Arizona, we can hope it is the understanding that now more than ever, we need to join together as a nation and stop polarizing our communities.

The "Congress on Your Corner" event held by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was intergenerational, attracting older constituents seeking to be heard on issues important to them, and by at least one youth who wanted to behold Democracy in action close up. The fact the killer's bullets were indiscriminate makes the incident no less horrific.

In times of tragedy people can be comforted by generations joining together and listening to each other. The young people can find answers to life's thorny questions when they discover the wisdom of their elders. And older people can find hope in a cynical world when they see virtue in the eyes of the young.

We need to acknowledge we are all citizens, one people in a nation comprised of many different ideas and goals. We must continually remind ourselves that hate can only divide us; that we are interdependent, and together we must face the challenges ahead. It's a family, not a fight.

Rich Robinson is Press Secretary for Generations United. You can reach him at rrobinson@gu.org

On Tap For the 112th Congress

2011-01-03T17:29:00.003-05:00

From the Generations United Policy Team:

During the 111th Congress, we saw the passage of sweeping reforms in health care and consumer protections, which defend Americans from hidden fees, abusive terms and deceptive practices when obtaining credit cards and mortgages. However, the incoming congress will have a full slate of new issues to consider, which range from deficit reduction to education reform. Here are some issues that we anticipate the 112th Congress to address:

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Reauthorization. Education Secretary Aren Duncan express optimism that ESEA will be reauthorized this spring in a bipartisan fashion in his Washington Post Op-ed.

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Repeal. The new Republican majority has signaled they will attempt to repeal ACA.

Deficit Reduction Negotiations. The co-chairmen of the President's fiscal Commission have requested the White House and congress begin negotiations to develop a plan for deficit reduction which could negatively impact Social Security.

Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The OAA's reauthorization is vitally important to older adults as it accounts for food, employment and training programs for seniors.

Passage of an Omnibus Spending Bill. The 111th Congress adjourned in December without passing an omnibus spending bill, leaving the task for the incoming congress to tackle. Among the items to be funded in the bill: ACA implementation, Lifetime Respite Care, and the National Caregiver Support Program.

What You Can Do Now: In 2011, we face many challenges in funding critical services for all generations. Now is the time to create and implement policies that help generations help each other, thereby strengthening our economy. Help us grow the voice of intergenerational investments to make sure congress doesn't pit generations against each other. Sign up 5 friends to follow Generations United Policy Alerts to stay up to date on the latest policy news from Washington, DC. It's not a fight, it's a family.

Seniors4Kids' Musgrave Has A New Blog

2010-12-28T11:34:00.008-05:00

We're happy to see the addition of Mary A. Musgrave to the world of blog writing. The Kentucky State Coordinator for Generations United's Seniors4Kids initiative is now blogging for the Lexington Herald-Leader. Mary's blog is called "Bluegrass Nana," and is featured at Bluegrass Moms, an online community in association with the Lexington newspaper. Her first installment was published today, and were looking forward to reading many more posts in the future!

Rich Robinson is the Press Secretary for Generations United. You can email him at rrobinson@gu.org

New Voices Bring New Perspectives

2010-12-22T16:13:00.008-05:00

Perhaps the most worthwhile aspect of having a conference, a summit or just a meeting is the opportunity to encounter new people. It’s exciting to engage energized, passionate individuals – it brings a fresh perspective on intergenerational ideas and it gives us all a boost in our work. Our November Summit on Generations was attended by one such new voice, Raj Jayadev, from San Jose, California. He is the coordinator of Silicon Valley De-Bug, a community organization that provides a platform for the unheard voices of the South Bay region.

This past week Raj wrote an article titled “New Frontier for Organizing: Youth and Elders, Working Hand in Hand.” In it, he points out young people and older adults can be, in fact have been, effective advocates for positive social change when working together.

… some of the best youth organizing victories and support systems for young people have always been inter-generational, even if rarely acknowledged. Major achievements like the California youth organizations that shut down draconian youth prisons, always had moms and grandmothers at their rallies and actions.

You can read his full article at New American Media. We will continue to welcome new voices into the dialogue so we may learn and grow, as our mission continues.

Rich Robinson is the Press Secretary for Generations United. You can email him at rrobinson@gu.org