Protecting and Preserving Social Security for Generations

Last week, Generations United was honored to be invited to testify before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security on Protecting and Preserving Social Security for Generations. Unfortunately due to other pressing Congressional priorities, the hearing was cancelled. However, GU’s written testimony was distributed to the entire Ways and Means Committee and the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, which is charged with identifying policies to improve the current fiscal situation and to achieve fiscal sustainability over the long run.

Our testimony emphasized that Social Security lifts more children out of poverty than any other Federal Program and is a promise to all generations that must not be broken. It was founded on the belief that those who work long and hard should not become destitute due to retirement or disability, nor should their families suffer economic insecurity in the event of early death. Social Security not only protects older adults, it protects children through survivor’s benefits, retirement benefits, disability benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Social Security is especially critical for grandfamilies, families where children are being raised by grandparents or other relatives. As one grandparent caregiver said, “Without it, we’d be living out of my car.” More than 6.5 million children across the country are living in households maintained by grandparents or other relatives.

GU urges Congress to look at ways to improve the adequacy of Social Security by restoring the student benefit, improving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and exploring ways to change the family cap and grandchild benefit to better support non-traditional family structures such as grandfamilies.

GU will continue to advocate and protect the intergenerational commitment embodied in Social Security and we’ll continue to build off the momentum created by our Social Security For All Generations Call-In Day, cosponsored by AARP, Child Welfare League of America, Children's Defense Fund, Grandfamilies of America, Easter Seals, National Committee of Grandparents for Children's Rights, North American Council on Adoptable Children, and Voices for America's Children. which garnered 4,600 calls to federal lawmakers stressing the importance of Social Security for all ages, and our informative testimony.

To read the entire Social Security testimony and stay informed visit our Social Security page or download our new fact sheet about Social Security's importance to grandfamilies (grandparents and other relatives raising grandchildren).

Thank you to all the abuelas (and abuelos) out there!

Abuelita, Nana, Mima, Lita, Abucha, Mama, Abue. These are all ways in which to say Grandmother in Spanish. There are probably others I missed, never mind in other languages. I myself used to call my maternal grandmother Mama Nati (short for Nativity because she was born on Christmas, may she rest in peace).

I had the pleasure of watching an amazing film about grandmothers last week, For the Next 7 Generations. This film tells the stories of thirteen indiginous grandmothers from all over the world who had never met, but came together because they believed it was up to them to share their sacred wisdom in order to save Mother Earth and preserve it for those who came after them. The grandmothers are from all over the world, Tibet, Africa, Alaska, Canada, South America, even Mexico and Nicaragua. In one scene the grandmothers came together and a girl of about nine years made a short movie about them, showing why it was that they came together in the firt place. It was a very touching film and I don't want to spoil it further, but I hope everyone can take the opportunity to watch it for themselves.

There are over 2.5 million grandparents raising their grandchildren across the country. 19%, or almost half a million, of them are Latino. Nationally, over 6 million children are being raised by their grandparents because their parents are not able to. This is a tremendous endevour filled with many hardships, but also love and joy. It's no easy task for anyone involved and these grandparents need the support to be able to do it. There are groups all over that are there to lend a hand, and one such example is in Arizona. Arizona's Children Association has several KARE Family Programs throughout the state to serve grandfamilies, several are in communities with high numbers of Latino populations. They offer support groups, education referrals, legal resource information, assistance with completing paperwork, and much more.

It's been my experience that Abuelas have been held in high esteem and affection. It's when they take on a much more significant role, like that of a primary caregiver, that it becomes clear how vital they really are.

For more information on Arizona's KARE Programs visit www.arizonaschildren.org/karecenter.htm.
For more information on the film about the thirteen indiginous grandmothers visit www.grandmotherscouncil.org.

SHINE On Through

The Latino culture and its people have been part of U.S. fabric for as long as it has existed, back when the west and southwest states including California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas belonged to Mexico. As the United States’ boundaries changed and became the “Land of Opportunity” people from all over the world and especially Latino countries came in droves. Latino immigrants of all ages came with the high hopes of a better life, often escaping difficult, even dangerous, situations. Countries mired in civil wars made it hard for people to earn good livelihoods. And coming to America hasn’t always been easy, as most immigrants will tell you. Because although immigrant communities have a reputation for being closely knit, isolation and depression are all too familiar to many.

Project SHINE was created in Philadelphia, PA at the Intergenerational Center at Temple University by Nancy Henkin. She hoped that this new project would help ease the transition for older adult immigrants, who, after spending their entire lives in another way of life, have painful experiences integrating into a new culture. Project SHINE was just the beginning at Temple University; it runs at eighteen other campuses across the country. Through this service-learning program, college students serve as tutors, coaches, mentors of sort in ESL classrooms in community agencies that serve immigrants and older adults. This program not only benefits the older adults, who get to interact with college students, learn English, learn about America from one of its younger generations, they are also able to share their wisdom with young people, give first-hand accounts of what life is like in a part of the world that is unfamiliar to many people. This is a program that makes sense, benefits younger and older individuals, and meets a community need.

For more information on Project SHINE visit www.projectshine.org

~Roxana is blogging during Hispanic History Month about intergenerational programs and initiatives that serve Latino communities.

Celebrating Senior Corps Week

This week (September 20-24) the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is celebrating the extraordinary impact of older adults through the first-ever Senior Corps Week! CNCS’s Senior Corps program provides service opportunities for adults age 55 and older to engage in activities that benefit community members of all ages. With the theme “Making a Difference for Generations,” Senior Corps Week highlights the powerful impact of 55+ volunteers and inspires others to get involved. The initiative recognizes that service by older Americans benefits everyone – it helps volunteers by keeping them active, healthy, and engaged; it helps our communities to have millions more skilled volunteers; and it helps our nation by saving taxpayer dollars, reducing healthcare costs, and strengthening civic participation.

As the 78 million Baby Boomers near retirement age, it is important to invest in intergenerational programs that utilize the experience and wisdom of older adults to strengthen our communities, and our country. “Older Americans bring a lifetime of skills and experience as parents, workers, and citizens that can be tapped to meet challenges in our communities,” said Dr. Erwin Tan, a board certified geriatrician and recently appointed Director of Senior Corps. “Given the many social needs facing our communities – and the growing interest in service by 55+ Americans – this is a moment of unprecedented need and opportunity for our programs.”

In a time of serious economic and social challenges, nearly 500,000 volunteers age 55+ are serving through Senior Corps' three programs – Foster Grandparents, RSVP, and Senior Companions. These individuals contributed more than 98 million hours of volunteer service worth an estimated $2 billion in 2009. Generations United is pleased to join in celebrating the impact of older adults in our communities and schools.

To read more about intergenerational service opportunities, check out our fact sheet on the Kennedy Serve America Act.

For more information on Senior Corps or ways to get involved, please visit NationalService.gov.

Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off

Hispanic Heritage Month starts today. For the next 30 days Latinos everywhere will be celebrating our proud heritage. As a Latina born in El Salvador, I will as well. I moved to the United States when I was 7 years-old and one thing I missed most after leaving was my connection to extended family, particularly my grandparents who helped raise me for those first seven years of my life and whom I lived with at different periods. Those intergenerational connections are priceless. I know in the Latino community, they are as well. The challenge comes when families immigrate and those connections alter or break.

One group that is meeting this challenge while focusing on meeting early childhood education needs of low-income, Spanish speaking immigrant children is Adelante Mujeres. Their Champions for Early Childhood Education (CECE) program does just that in a partnership with PODER Family Literacy. They engage local baby boomers in the Forest Grove, Oregon area to help in the classroom, one-on-one or small groups. Looking back on it, I wish there had been a program like this one when I had first come to the U.S. or that my parents would have known about one if it existed. Though, I think I managed to do pretty well all in all considering, having the familiarity of an older adult in a grandparent-like role may have made the transition better. Because of programs like these, immigrant children in that community will be better off.

For more information on Adelante Mujeres visit www.adelantemujeres.org.

~Roxana Martinez, Program Coordinator

Celebrating the Success of Call-In Day

Thank you to everyone who participated in our successful Call-In Day yesterday, Monday, September 13th. The Social Security For All Generations Call-In Day garnered 3,600 calls to federal lawmakers stressing the importance of Social Security for all ages. Through letters, e-mails, Tweets and online postings surrounding the day, thousands of Americans were informed about the support Social Security provides to many of our most vulnerable children and families.

Special thanks go to our cosponsors: AARP, Child Welfare League of America, Children's Defense Fund, Grandfamilies of America, Easter Seals, National Committee of Grandparents for Children's Rights, North American Council on Adoptable Children, and Voices for America's Children.

Stay informed by visiting our Social Security page or downloading our new fact sheet about Social Security's importance to grandfamilies (grandparents and other relatives raising grandchildren).

Call NOW for Social Security!

Today, Monday, September 13, 2010, is our Social Security for all Generations Call-In Day. Join us in telling Members of Congress that Social Security is vital - for ALL generations.

Call 1-800-795-5336 to dial your legislator from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

Calling to make your voice heard is easy. You don't have to be an expert on Social Security or the budget. You just need to let them know that you care about preserving Social Security's support for all generations. It only takes a minute. Here's how you make the call:

1. Dial 1-800-795-5336 and follow the prompt to enter your zip code. Then press "1" to connect to your first Senator's/Representative's office.

2. A staff person will answer the phone. Tell that person where you're calling from, and that you're calling to remind your [Senator/Representative] that...

Today, 6.5 million children receive benefits through Social Security. Social Security cuts would mean a considerable loss of economic security for children and break the promise of Social Security for all generations. Please tell the [Senator/Representative] to support children. Cuts to Social Security benefits to reduce the deficit would hurt children, families, and older adults now.

3. Most calls will end there. However, if you like, you can add another statement about why this is important to you.

4. Since all your Members of Congress have a stake in this debate, please call 1-800-795-5336 again to get connected to your other Members' offices. Once again enter your zip code, then press "2" to be connected to your second Senator. After you have called your Senators, please call again to select the option to connect to your Representative.



Photo by Ed Babb

White House Issues Grandparents Day Proclamation

President Obama has just issued a proclamation for National Grandparents Day!

"Throughout our history, American families have been guided and strengthened by the support of devoted grandparents. These mentors have a special place in our homes and communities, ensuring the stories and traditions of our heritage are passed down through generations. On National Grandparents Day, we honor those who have helped shape the character of our Nation, and we thank these role models for their immeasurable acts of love, care, and understanding."

Read the rest at the White House's website. We at Generations United wish all older adults a very happy Grandparents Day this Sunday, September 12!

Social Security For All Generations: Call-In Day Webinar!

Learn More About the Social Security for All Generations Call-in Day (September 13, 2010)

Join us for a Webinar on August 31

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/453368192

The growing debate around Social Security is missing your voice. Many don’t know that Social Security provides vital financial security not only to our nation's retirees, but also to children through Survivors, Retirement, and Disability benefits. Join us for a webinar discussing how to raise awareness about the importance of Social Security for all generations. This webinar will provide a brief primer on how Social Security benefits children, advocacy materials for your network, and review the call-in day process.

The day after Grandparents Day, all generations will join together to contact Members of Congress to make sure they understand how children, as well as older Americans, benefit from Social Security. They must ensure the promise of Social Security is kept for all generations. Join the webinar and learn how you can get involved on September 13th.

Title: Learn More About the Social Security for All Generations Call-in Day (September 13, 2010)

Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Generations United Stands For Social Security With New Campaign

As the Fiscal Commission is considering recommending to President Obama that Congress cut Social Security benefits, a diverse group of organizations – including Generations United - launched a major new campaign today to push back and demand that Congress not make any benefit cuts. New polling shows massive public support for members of Congress who support strengthening, not cutting, Social Security.

More than 60 national and state organizations, representing more than 30 million Americans, have joined the campaign, which will remind elected officials that Social Security remains the “third rail” of American politics and that any sort of benefit cuts are opposed by wide majorities, from liberals to Tea Partiers. At today’s press conference, participants outlined their plans to hold members of Congress who try to cut Social Security benefits accountable.

Social Security provides vital financial security, not only to our nation's retirees, but also to children and families through Survivors, Retirement, Disability and Supplemental Security Insurance benefits. It protects 98 percent of all children in the event of death or disability of a caregiver. Read more in our latest fact sheet.

For more on the campaign, visit http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/

For more on the polling, visit http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/sites/default/files/LakeMemoPublicFINAL6-29-10.pdf

Remembering Daniel Schorr

Here at Generations United, we are sad to recognize the passing of groundbreaking journalist Daniel Schorr, 93, in Washington. Along with having an impressive resume and an impeccable reputation, Daniel was the keynote speaker at our first Generations United conference, stepping in when his wife, Lisbeth Schorr, was unable to attend. We are lucky to have known and worked with Daniel, and send our condolences to his family.

It's Not Either-Or

This recent Letter to the Editor in the Washington Post is a textbook example of the false either-or perspective that produces bad policy decisions.

John Schappi, 81, writes that he "would not be particularly happy to have to pay more in taxes or get less in Social Security and Medicare. But I could accept this if it meant repackaging government assistance so that my two children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild have a better shot at achieving the financial security that I have."

Mr. Schappi's offer to sacrifice on behalf of children is generous and well-intentioned. However, cutting back Social Security -- which supports all generations -- would actually weaken protections and future benefits for children. Slashing benefits for survivors, children and adults with disabilities, grandparents raising grandchildren and others for whom Social Security prevents a slide into poverty will hurt families. And cutting back a federal program that aids seniors won't necessarily mean an increase for children. The perception that youth and older adults are in competition for limited resources is false. Children, and seniors, don't exist in a vacuum. They exist in interdependent families.

New Resource: Social Security, Children and Families

"When I was 14, my dad passed away. I was a freshman in high school. Social Security Survivors Benefits helped us with bills, food, our house, and my education."
-Maureen Sullivan, Wilmington, DE

Social Security benefits children. Six and a half million children in the United States receive part of their family income from Social Security.

Despite the unparalleled success of Social Security as a children's program, some lawmakers and pundits are arguing for cuts to Social Security in the name of children and grandchildren. In reality, slashing Social Security would hurt economic security for children everywhere.

Generations United's new fact sheet includes

- descriptions of how Social Security benefits children
- stories from real-life Social Security beneficiaries
- an easy-to-read chart on the five main ways Social Security helps children.

Download the PDF fact sheet today!

Please spread this through your networks. If you have questions about the fact sheet, email Senior Public Policy Analyst Terence Kane at tkane@gu.org.

We have also developed a list of simple ways for you and your organization to help with the strategic circulation of up-to-date information on the Social Security debate. Complete this quick form (PDF) and return to mness@gu.org by July 30th, 2010 to raise awareness about the importance of Social Security for children and families.

Photo by Angela Skali, Kansas City, MO

From Donna: Remembering Robert Butler

We are saddened by the loss of Dr. Robert N. Butler – Bob to his friends – who passed away Sunday in New York after a battle with leukemia. Bob was 83. He was a pioneer in the field of aging and a lifelong proponent of intergenerational connections.

We’re privileged to have worked with Bob, who was proud to tell us and others that he was raised by his grandparents. He knew the danger of using age as a dividing line and worked to educate others on the interdependency of the generations and of the importance of supporting both children and older adults in public policy. He wrote about this when he mentioned Generations United in his 2008 book, The Longevity Revolution.

In June Bob invited me to speak to the journalists assembled for his International Longevity Center’s Age Boom Academy. I’d done this several times over the years and always enjoyed the informal exchange of ideas and Bob’s challenging questions. He mentioned again a study he thought we should work on together to update the picture of investments in the old and young. He believed some advocates were presenting an inaccurate account of how many of our federal, state and local dollars were going to each generation. While Bob didn’t want to spark a zero sum debate, he did think we needed a realistic portrayal of investments across ages. We didn’t get to finish this conversation but I hope in some small way, the work we are engaged in at Generations United will honor Bob and lead to a healthier discussion and understanding of the commitment between and among generations.

Our thoughts go out to Bob’s family, his colleagues and friends. He may be gone but his influence on the field of aging will be felt for generations.

Tom Taylor profiled in video

It's not often that you come across someone as energetic, knowledgeable and charismatic as Tom Taylor, Generations United's Special Advisor for Seniors4Kids. Tom, 83, has spent his entire career helping children succeed. Watch this video by Medill News Service reporter Camille Doty that profiles Tom and talks about his work with us.

Meet Thomas Taylor - early childhood advocate from Camille Doty on Vimeo.

From the National Center on Grandfamilies: Grandparents in the FMLA

On June 22, The U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division issued an Administrator’s Interpretation clarifying that the definition of “son or daughter” in the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) includes grandparents and other relatives raising children without any type of legal relationship to the children, both same sex partners raising children and other non-traditional families.

What is the FMLA?

Since its passage in 1993, the FMLA allows eligible employees in businesses of a certain size to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period due to:

• the birth of a son or daughter

• the placement of a son or daughter with the employee for adoption or foster care

• or to care for a son or daughter with a serious health condition.

Where do grandfamilies fit in?

This Interpretation clarifies that the status of in loco parentis, or acting “in the place of a parent,” includes grandparents and other relatives raising children, and cites legislative history to show that this has been the case since the law’s passage. It also clarifies that the FMLA does not restrict the number of parents a child may have. A child may even have biological or adoptive parents living in the same home, and a grandparent, aunt or uncle may be acting “in loco parentis” and take unpaid leave.

Establishing “in loco parentis”

The Interpretation states that employees do not have to establish that they provide both day-to-day care AND financial support to be considered “in loco parentis.” An employee only has to give a “simple statement “that they are acting “in loco parentis” by providing either day-to-day care OR financial support of the child.

Generations United’s perspective

We are encouraged by this Interpretation. As with many federal laws, states, employers, localities, and others often misinterpret the laws and impose additional requirements on families trying to access services or programs. We hope this is the first of many generated by the Executive Branch to clarify laws for grandfamilies, such as the definitions of (1) “familial status” under the Fair Housing Act, so its protections are not limited to those families with a legal relationship like legal custody; and (2) “in loco parentis” in the Individuals with Disabilities Act, so that some school districts do not require relative caregivers of children to go through the extra hurdle of becoming a “surrogate parent” for purposes of participating in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process.

This post is from Ana Beltran, JD, Generations United Special Advisor for the National Center on Grandfamilies.

Blogging from Philadelphia AmericaSpeaks

Donna here, blogging from AmericaSpeaks. I spent Saturday, June 26 as an observer at the Philadelphia AmericaSpeaks forum, one of the many happening simultaneously around the country. The AmericaSpeaks organizers are to be congratulated on an event that brought out voters from many different walks of life to grapple with the tough fiscal problems that our lawmakers deal with every day. I felt the organizers did a good job in Philadelphia where people ranged from members of the Tea Party to those mobilized by MoveOn.Org. While the materials were far from perfect, they tried to present balanced information and made space for people to add other perspectives.

I enjoyed meeting the people at my table and hearing their take on various solutions to budget difficulties. Participants at each table tried to form consensus on ways to balance the federal budget. At my table, no one was satisfied with the options presented and the biggest whoops and hollers were for adding a single payer option in health care. I saw lots of support for defense spending cuts, with the caveat that it wouldn't hurt the troops. I witnessed anger at policy makers, hearing statements like, "Policy makers need to get back to representing us" and "Recovery has been only for Wall Street. None of my friends feel bailed out."

I was heartened that the participants around me understood that we take care of future generations by what we do today - and that cuts can affect all generations.

I'll leave you with two stories: An older Native American activist at my table said he came in jaded and left feeling good about the discourse and inspired to get re-engaged. And an unemployed, uninsured woman at my table who was about to lose her house cried when at one point when "Our House" by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young was played as background music. "Our house, is a very, very, very fine house. / With two cats in the yard / Life used to be so hard..." We all need to remember that life is still hard for many people and we need to be sure we are taking care of our neighbors today if we hope to have a strong tomorrow.

-- Donna Butts

A Letter from Carrie Ryan

A few weeks ago, Carrie Ryan - a college student who, when in high school in California, organized and led a successful intergenerational program - was invited to go to the White House Mother's Day Tea with her grandmother on behalf of Generations United. Read Carrie's eloquent account below!

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It was an experience I will never forget. Walking through the threshold of the White House, hand in hand with my grandmother, who was, in every way, the reason we were both there. She was in her best brightly colored suit, I in my best dress. And together, we walked the halls of the White House amongst many other women, mothers and daughters, mentors and mentees, granddaughters and grandmothers. All of us came from different backgrounds, all of us had different stories. But we were all there for the same reason – at some point in our lives, we had all been touched by an incredible woman, who told us we could do anything, who pushed us to give of our gifts, and who held our hand as we did it. My grandmother was and is such a woman for me. And so, walking around the East room, through the ballroom and the Green room, I held her hand with gratitude, in comfort, and to experience the moment close beside her.

I have always held my grandmothers hand. I have a picture of us in my room, walking together down the sidewalk near our church, linked together. I was a young five years old and the difference in our ages is noticeable. But the difference in our ages is the beauty of the picture – an older woman and a young girl, connected through love, family, hands. And this is how it has always been. I have had an incredible bond with my grandmother, a connection that far surpasses differing years and generational gaps. We are bound up in one another – she shares her stories, I share mine. And on May 7, we were fortunate to share a story together, a significant story that is a milestone for both of us.

Mother’s Day Tea at the White House, hosted by the welcoming and gracious Michelle Obama, is that story my grandmother and I were blessed to experience together. Sent on behalf of Generations United, which I humbly and gratefully represented – to my great honor, my grandmother and I toured the halls of our nation’s home and sat for tea amongst Washington representatives and some of the most distinguished women of the country.

Sandwiched between Jill Biden’s Chief of Staff, the only female Chief of Staff of a UN President, and a military wife and her daughter, my grandmother and I enjoyed conversation with our table mates about influential women in our lives, what it is to be an American woman, and the reason we had all been invited to the tea. I heard stories about what life is like on a military base, on a campaign trail, and meeting with Sudanese and Iraqi officials. Throughout the tea, as I was listening to others stories and sharing my own, my grandmother and I kept looking at each other in awe. What we were experiencing was phenomenal, what we were hearing was transformational – and to be able to do it together made it all the more special.

After the tea had commenced and the beautiful plates of small tea sandwiches and scones were passed around, Michelle Obama began to make her way around the room to visit with each person at each table. With about twelve tables of ten people each, it took Michelle a while to graciously and warmly greet each invitee. As Michelle approached our table, I tried to prepare something to say – but my mind drew a blank. As she made her way over to greet my grandmother and I, she hugged me first (with an embrace that immediately put me at ease) and I subsequently introduced her to my grandmother. The immensity of the moment was overwhelming, but when I was introducing my grandmother, everything became quite clear. My grandmother and my grandfather and all of the older people in my life that have been so influential were the reasons I was there. And I told Michelle that. I spoke to her about what my grandmother meant to me. How her influence and many of my relationships with older people propelled me to start the project, Bridging the Generations, I began in high school and am continuing today. I expressed the importance of intergenerational relationships in my life – how they had shaped my very being, and how they had touched my soul – and urged her to support organizations like Generations United. Michelle agreed, applauded me for my work and congratulated my grandmother for the mentorship, love, and support she gave to me. She continued to talk about how wonderful it had been for her to have her mother in the White House and how her children loved their grandmother from the very depths of their being. She knew that the bond her children had with her mother was something special, something to be cherished. She thanked us for being there and continued to make her way around the table.

Speaking to Michelle Obama and hugging her twice was something out of a dream. But probably the most special part of the day was the recognition of the importance of intergenerational relationships. I was at the White House because of all of those talks I had with residents in the Nursing Home, all of the advice I had been given by my grandparents, and all of the lessons I had learned through the many narratives of older people I had met throughout the years. This tea was in celebration of them, of young and old together, of the incredible bond my grandmother and I have. So as I walked out of the White House, having met phenomenal women, having seen the nation’s home, I held my grandmothers hand and gave her a tight squeeze and said, “We did it.” And we wouldn’t have been able to do it had we not been together, united.

I go forward this summer with this memory and this special story in my heart to India, where I will be conducting a fully funded anthropological research project on elder care. I will be researching with four different organizations to explore the cultural debate occurring in this country about the implications of the changing elder care methods from family based care to more institutionalized care, like nursing homes and senior centers. With open eyes, ears, and heart, I will listen to the stories of India’s elderly and their families. I am ecstatic to learn about how the bond my grandmother and I share might translate halfway across the world.

I want to thank Generations United for the opportunity they have bestowed upon me and for the wonderful leadership they provide in the field of intergenerational relations. It is wonderful to know that there are so many people in this world that cherish these relationships and that are committed to encouraging, fostering, and nurturing them. For everything you have done for me and for helping me recognize the significance of young and old together, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

We're in the Washington Post!

Read what Generations United Executive Director Donna Butts had to say about Social Security's value to kids, parents and grandparents in Sunday's Washington Post:

The champions stepping up to protect Social Security ["Social Security's vanguard against cuts," news story, June 9] are to be praised. However, lost in the debate over the deficit commission's possible consideration of cuts to Social Security benefits is the reality that Social Security is a promise that protects all generations, all families.

Social Security, which turns 75 this year, provides insurance for 98 percent of children who have lost a parent. Social Security also serves children and spouses of workers who have become disabled; families of fallen service members; grandparents raising grandchildren; and severely disabled children and their family caregivers. Framing the issue as a choice between seniors' Social Security benefits and money for kids' education is false and irresponsible. Children, parents and grandparents all benefit from Social Security, a promise worth keeping.

Have you benefited from Social Security survivors benefits? Do you rely on Social Security as you raise your grandchildren? Contact Carol Scott at cscott @ gu.org to share your story as Generations United works to educate legislators about the promise of Social Security.

New York Seniors4Kids Connect With Legislators

Headed by New York Seniors4Kids State Coordinator Paul Arfin, seven Captains4Kids visited legislators and legislators' offices in Albany, NY on Tuesday, May 25 as part of Winning Beginning New York's "Strengthening the Pre-K Investment: A Working Forum."

Captains had in-person visits to five legislators' offices, and hand-delivered New York Seniors4Kids Profile Publications to 62 legislative offices. Way to go, and thank you for all you do!




Photo captions: TOP, from L-R: Linda James, Henriette Miller, Marci Young of Pre-K Now, Margie Usher, Emma Kimble, Vivian Spears and Rosena Addison. BOTTOM, from L-R: Margie Usher, Linda James, State Senator Joseph Robach (R) of Rochester, Paul Arfin and Rosena Addison.