The Hero DC Deserves

Lenny B Robinson of Baltimore County, MD is just like you or I. He has a normal day job, a loving family, and unfortunately may occasionally get pulled over while out driving. The thing is, when you or I get pulled over it doesn’t usually make headline news.

You might have already heard about Lenny last week and not even known it; Robinson was the mysterious man who lit up the national media after a run in with Montgomery county police officers in which he was stopped while driving a black Lamborghini and wearing a fully functional $5000 Batman costume.

Robinson isn’t some over-indulgent comic book fan who just wanted to show off on the road, though. He’s a 48 year old self-made businessman who spends considerable time and money every month to give back to his community. Since 2001 Maryland’s very own caped crusader had been visiting area hospitals to talk with sick children and hand out Batman toys, and speaking to students at local schools about bullying.

While spending time at a DC children’s hospital Robinson makes a deliberate effort to give his full attention to every child he meets. He offers them words of strength and the support of someone who is to them larger than life. Before he leaves at the end of the day Robinson makes sure that there weren’t any children who were unable to come out of their rooms to see him. For many of these kids who have been stuck in the hospital for weeks or months, a visit from Batman can turn another difficult day into one of hope and excitement.

It isn’t the mask that makes Robinson special; it’s the man underneath it. Anyone can go buy a costume and pretend to be a superhero, but it takes so much more to do what Robinson does.

It takes a real hero.

To read the full story on Mr. Robinson and the amazing work he does, check out this fantastic article from the Washington Post: http://ow.ly/9XN5m

Photos: Allen Goldberg

-Alex Cutler

Response to Ryan’s Budget Plan

Yesterday, Congressman Paul Ryan presented his latest “Pathway to Prosperity” budget. After examining the document, Generations United was deeply troubled by many of the proposals contained in it because they would significantly reduce funding to the critical social safety net for America’s most vulnerable children, youth and older adults. Here is our analysis of the Ryan budget.

Food and Nutrition

If enacted, Ryan’s plan would convert the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) into a block grant. In the long term, this would harm tens of millions of children, families, and older adults who rely on this critical safety net program. Hunger, food insecurity, and poverty are significant problems affecting millions of people in the U.S. and are expected to persist at high levels due to the weakened economy.

Higher Education

Additionally, the Ryan budget proposes to restructure Pell grants by “limiting the growth of financial aid and focusing it on low-income students.” Without specific language, it is hard to gauge the full impact of this proposal. When combined with additional budget cuts, this would surely limit access to this critical program that serves nearly 10 million college students.

Health Care

Proposed changes to essential health programs are even more concerning. The Ryan budget calls for repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The act provides critical health benefits to an estimated 19 million children and older adults by 2019 and includes provisions that would save $418 billion in Medicare costs over 10 years. In place of the ACA, the Ryan budget proposes that employers provide a cash supplement for their employees to purchase health care on the open market. That proposal ignores the troubling question of how our nation’s most vulnerable, including the unemployed or underemployed, will access health care.

The budget also proposes to convert Medicaid to a block grant, shifting the costs and risks to states, providers, and beneficiaries. With state budgets already overstretched, that move could jeopardize access to critical health services and put states in the difficult position of choosing between providing health care coverage for children's doctor visits or long-term care for older adults.

While ensuring existing Medicare benefits for those over 55, the Ryan budget would provide an unspecified amount of money directly to younger workers and require them to buy their own coverage in a way that may not guarantee the same coverage seniors have come to trust from Medicare. While Generations United believes the nation must address Medicare spending, this proposal sets up the potential for younger workers to not receive the care they need when they age.

Social Security

While the specifics in Ryan’s plan are unclear, we know his claims that it will “strengthen” Social Security are false. In reality, the provisions he has outlined would result in cuts for beneficiaries, many of whom increasingly rely on Social Security as a safeguard against poverty. Despite knowing first-hand the role Social Security plays in the lives of children and youth, Ryan refers to Social Security solely as a retirement security program. Social Security is more than a retirement program. Nearly seven million children receive part of their family income from Social Security today.

The Federal Budget

To balance the budget and reduce the deficit, the Ryan budget proposes measures that would dramatically slash spending and place children, youth and older adults at risk. These measures include relying on six separate committees to recommend cuts. These cuts would be directed at domestic spending including nutrition, Medicare, and Medicaid. Additionally, the Ryan budget would require caps on both discretionary and mandatory spending, beyond what was agreed to in the final budget agreement reached in fall 2011. Any increases to mandatory spending would require Congress to reduce other spending to pay for the increases and to “review mandatory spending programs” regularly. This sets up a dangerous situation where vital safety net services could be cut to pay for needed increases in mandatory spending. Generations United opposes any deficit reduction plan that puts the burden of cuts on the backs of the most vulnerable Americans. We must ensure that budget reduction is done in a responsible manner that truly reflects shared sacrifice, without disproportionately burdening the most vulnerable.

We at Generations United strongly support investing in our country’s economy and people. These investments include creating opportunities for vulnerable people to overcome hunger and poverty, extending the rights of today’s youth to continue their education through college, and for today’s older adults to receive affordable care on a fixed income. These investments are needed more than ever in today’s economy. If we fail to support them, we fail our commitment to the generations before and after us. The true path to prosperity is through strengthening our safety net and investing in our country; not by cutting critical supports to Americans in need and balancing the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable.

-Eric Masten

St. Patrick’s Day Office Contest

The Generations United staff kicked off our St. Patrick’s Day celebrating a little early this year by holding the first ever intergenerational office door decorating contest. The rules: decorate a door with a St. Patty’s Day theme. The results: four entries that brought out the creative talents of our staff! 

Can you match the Generations United staff with the correct door? Leave your guess in the comments and check back on Monday for the big reveal.

On behalf of all of us at Generations United, we wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Sheri                       Anne                       Colleen                    Melissa

        

 

           Door 1                        Door 2                       Door 3                      Door 4

                                                   Bettina

Thanks to our esteemed judging panel, we can announce the results of the St. Patrick's Day door decorating contest!

Best use of nontraditional materials: Colleen (Door #2)

Best use of the color green: Melissa (Door #3)

Best use of red-headed leprechaun: Colleen (Door #2)

Best in show: Sheri (Door #4)

Best use of door bribery: Melissa (Door #3)

Best decorated desk: Bettina

Best organizer: Melissa (Door #3)

Grand prize: Anne (Door #1)

 

Thanks to all the staff that participated!

National Nutrition Month

 

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month? This month, Generations United wanted to highlight some facts and resources for the millions of Americans struggling with hunger today.

According to AARP Foundation’s Food Insecurity among Older Adults, nearly nine million low-income seniors 50 and older are food insecure. Among that number are nearly one million grandparent caregivers, who are especially at risk of food insecurity because they have taken on the enormous responsibility of caring for their grandchildren. In addition, Share our Strength notes that more than 16 million children in America are at-risk of hunger.

A struggling economy has left many families living in poverty and having to choose between paying the mortgage and buying groceries. A number of programs and resources are available for families in need of nutritious meals.

Here’s a list of several programs that help children and older adults relieve hunger:

· Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits that eligible low-income families can use to purchase food.

· Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) pays for nutritious meals and snacks for eligible children who are enrolled at participating child care centers, family child care homes, and after-school programs, and for older adults enrolled at adult day centers.  CACFP meals give children and adults the nutrition they need as a routine part of their day care program.

· Home-Delivered Meals and Congregate Meals. These programs provide meals and other nutrition services to older individuals in a variety of settings, such as senior centers, or by home delivery for the homebound.

· Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, and referrals for health care and social services to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children (up to age five) who are at nutritional risk.

· The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost and is usually offered at local food pantries and soup kitchens.

These programs all help to give children, youth, and older adults the nutritious food they need to enrich growth and development and to maintain physical and mental health. This March, we encourage you to call your Members of Congress and ask them to make hunger a priority, because no one should go hungry.

The Story of Svante Myrick

Brian Williams started the beginning of this NBC Rock Center story as follows: “The beginning of this story sounds familiar to us all. A biracial man with an exotic name, raised by his single white mother and his maternal grandparents, who overcomes lean times in his life. He is accepted and attends an Ivy League school, later runs for public office and wins. Though this may sound like the story of President Barack Obama, it is not. This is the story of Mayor Svante Myrick of Ithaca, NY.”

Mayor Svante Myrick is 24, the youngest mayor ever in Ithaca. In an age of skepticism and doubt for all things political, how did this young man come to be mayor? The people of Ithaca will tell you it was his life story that inspired them.  From a young age, Myrick experienced homelessness and poverty living with his mother and father. During this time, his father was battling a serious drug addiction that ended up tearing the family apart. Seeing the struggles Myrick and his siblings were enduring, his maternal grandparents stepped in to help, offering them a home in upstate New York. These generous grandparents worked alongside their daughter to provide her children the comfort and security necessary for them to succeed.

Growing up in a family that was just scraping by helped shaped Myrick’s political views. He counts food stamps and school lunch programs as two critical safety net programs that helped his family during tough times. “I know personally I would not be here were it not for these programs.”  Myrick and his siblings all worked afterschool jobs to help pool money together to keep the family afloat. 

When he was in high school, Myrick’s grandmother gave him a copy of Barack Obama’s book, Dreams from my Father. Being raised under similar circumstances, he saw himself in that story. But it was someone closer by who helped him to think about his future: his high school teacher, Jonathan Sherry. That teacher saw Myrick’s potential, and pushed his young student to strive for greatness. As a result, Myrick was accepted and graduated from Cornell University. 

Today, Myrick sits in his office and faces the challenges and duties that every mayor must take on: a struggling economy, shrinking budget, and tough choices.  At a time when government programs are being drastically cut, Myrick sees value in strengthening the safety net programs that worked for him and his family.  “This is not the story of a self-made man.  This is the story of a community that conspired together to raise a child.”

For more information on Mayor Svante Myrick, check out NBC’s Rock Center profile of this inspiring story.

 

Image: Syracuse.com

Intergenerational Support in Japan

March 11, 2012 will mark the one year anniversary of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami that ravaged the Tohoku coastal region. Despite the destruction and loss the Japanese people have not surrendered their “Samurai Spirit”. The natural disaster has strengthened their solidarity and sense of community; neighbors selflessly support one another, an essential piece in furthering their recovery. 

I had the opportunity to interview Sachi, our office assistant who was living in Japan when the earthquake struck; I inquired about her most memorable news stories following the tragedy. Sachi recalled watching a news broadcast of a particular relief effort where miso soup and rice were being served to survivors.  There was a young boy who stood in the extensive relief line to receive his portion of miso soup and rice. After being served he re-entered the long line; the relief workers quickly recognized him and told him that he already had his turn. He replied that the first time he entered the line was for his grandmother who was too frail to stand in the line and now he wanted his own portion. 

For Sachi this story highlighted the region’s intergenerational strength, interdependence and respect. She beamed with pride when explaining the collectivist culture of Japan where multigenerational families are common place and each generation is supportive and receptive to the next. Following Sachi’s lead, please share your own personal stories depicting intergenerational support and resilience. 

Image: WebsterWoman

 

By Que Spencer

Generations United’s 2012 Oscar Picks

This Sunday millions of people will tune in to watch the 84^th annual Academy Awards. While there are dozens of films that deserve mention, Generations United wanted to highlight two of our Oscar picks this year that highlight the strong bond of families coming together during tough times.

Best Picture: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

This best picture nominee sheds light on the importance of relationships and family during life’s toughest times. The film’s lead character, Oskar, a nine year old boy who loses his father on 9/11, spends a year searching for someone that might know the answer to a question about his father. Oskar enlists the help of his grandfather in the search, and a strong bond is forged, despite the fact that they recently met. Along the way, Oskar meets hundreds of people who have their own story to tell, all filled with struggles and triumphs. Though Oskar’s search does not turn out the way he imagined, he develops a deeper understanding of himself, his family, and the moments that can change your life.

 

Best Documentary Feature: The Undefeated

This Oscar nominated documentary focuses its story on several members of a Memphis inner-city football team and chronicle the tough season they face. All of the players come from backgrounds filled with hardships, but one finds his way out with the help of his coach, sponsor, and his grandmother. At age seven, after the death of his mother, O.C. Brown moved in with his grandmother. His grandmother, Ethel Hayes, also raised his two younger sisters and a niece in a tiny house in the poorest part of town. Tough times would not stop Ethel Hayes from believing that her grandson could be a successful and upstanding young man. When his grades began to slip Ms. Hayes threatened to take away the thing O.C. loved the most, football. O.C. grades began to improve with the help of a tutor and encouragement from his family, and he was able to stay on the football team and was immediately noticed by recruiters. O.C. Brown went on to sign with Southern Miss and plans to get a degree in education and become a coach to help at risk youth.

 

What are your picks for the Oscars?

 

Image: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc

Image: The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, TN

My Grandmother’s Ravioli

Running the risk of becoming Generations United’s pop culture blogger, I just had to share another great thing I learned via Twitter.  The Cooking Channel just launched a new show called My Grandmother’s Ravioli starring Mo Rocca. For those who don’t know Mo, he is a writer, journalist, and comedian. He currently is a correspondent for “CBS Sunday Morning,” panelist on NPR’s game show “Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me!” and among other things, former contributor to “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”

I love Mo and he is quickly earning star status here at Generations United. First, Mo does a wonderful story on multigenerational households for “CBS This Morning” in January.  Next we hear about his new show where he learns to cook from grandmas and grandpas which aired this past Sunday. 

The idea for the show came from his own personal experiences. Every Sunday, his grandmother made homemade ravioli for the family dinner and he deeply regrets never learning her recipes before she passed away. He also proclaims that he is a terrible cook and decided who better to learn from then other people’s grandparents. 

I was able to see the first episode Sunday night and it was charming. I recommend you check it out.

During this show, Mo visits two families – first Mila a Filipina grandmother who shares her paella recipe and her husband who shares his Romanian sausage recipe, and then Pops, an Italian grandfather who just started cooking after his wife passed away. Mo’s rapport with the grandma and grandpas is wonderful to see, as is the passion these remarkable individuals have for sharing their recipes and cooking for their extended families. My husband was even inspired to try the sausage recipe – I’ll be sure to share the results! The highlight of the show for me was the culmination of these cooking classes - the family meal. It was wonderful to see Mo share a family meal with the grandparents, their children and grandchildren and to celebrate the multigenerational family.

In my research for this blog, I found this terrific promo for the show on “CBS This Morning.” I just love hearing Charlie Rose, Gayle King, Erica Hill, and Mo talk about the importance of intergenerational connections! 

Even better, Mo is looking for who he should learn from next.  If you know a grandma or grandpa who should be on Mo’s show just tell him why on the show’s blog.

-Sheri

Photo courtesy of The Food Network/Cooking Channel

Cranes United

Sachi continues to amaze all of us at Generations United with her beautiful, intergenerational origami!

Jimmy Fallon #mygrandmaiscool

Last night on the train home I read a tweet from Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.  Jimmy regularly plays the hashtag game on Twitter, where he asks his 4.9 million followers to share something funny and for everyone to use the same hashtag when they tweet it (If you aren't familiar with Twitter and hashtags read here). There is a chance that he will share the best tweets on his show.  (Full disclosure - I love Jimmy Fallon and find him and his show to be very funny.) 

Last night's game was #mygrandmaiscool (my grandma is cool). Being who I am and working where I do, I was thrilled.  My grandmas ARE cool and I know so many grandmas who are raising their grandchildren, volunteering with young people, advocating on behalf of children, and doing much more, who ARE VERY cool. But  I was also a little dissappointed when I saw Jimmy wanted people to share funny or weird stories about their grandmas. It was the weird that bothered me.

Jimmy shared the following positive and funny tweet about his grandma.  Good for Jimmy, his grandma sounds like she's a lot of fun. 

jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) 2/15/12 5:52 PM My grandma made hot cocoa for all my friends after sledding, and then moonwalked. #mygrandmaiscool

I was so excited to see what folks would say.  I read through hundreds of tweets last night about people's grandmas. There were some that were heartfelt, touching, and inspirational but many, many, many more were immature, offensive, and downright ageist.  I was not so excited anymore. I know, it is the Internet, what was I to expect.

I did expect more from Jimmy (have I mentioned I absolutely love him). So on behalf of Generations United, I sent a tweet to Jimmy and asked him why he needed to make Grandmas the butt of the joke? Why couldn't he just celebrate the funny and fantastic things our Grandmas do for us?  I don't expect a response, but I felt better saying it.

Everyone at Generations United knows that grandmas are cool. We see it everyday and in so many different ways. And if you are reading this blog, you probably think so too.  Would you take a minute and share the remarkable, wonderful, fantastic, and funny things your grandmas do?  And if you happen to be on Twitter, could you tweet it and tag it #mygrandmaiscool?

Grandfamilies and the 2012 Grammy Awards

At this year’s Grammy Awards, we once again take the time to celebrate the best of the music industry. Though there are many terrific artists and musicians that deserve mention, Generations United wanted to highlight two individuals that have risen to great heights from humble beginnings; humble beginnings which involved growing up in grandfamilies.

LL Cool J

LL Cool J, an award winning rapper, actor, and entrepreneur, was this year’s Grammy Awards host. His story of success starts with living with his grandmother at the age of three in Queens, New York. LL Cool J attributes much of his success to his grandmother’s strong and stable presence in his life. At age 11 LL’s grandmother gave him DJ equipment to stop him from riding motorcycles, and he began to write his own songs; the beginning of what would be a successful career in the entertainment industry.

Before his grandmother passed away she requested he produce an album she would enjoy listening to, and he made it his mission. He even wrote a song in honor of his grandmother thanking her for taking him in and raising him as her own. Below are lyrics taken from her song “Big Mama Unconditional Love.”

A toast to a woman that raised a man
In popular demand all across the land
You're my lawyer, my teacher, my doctor, my friend
My mother, my father, you with me 'til the end
I love you, I mean that from the bottom of my heart
That's the reason why my record's #1 on the charts
I'm a tell it like it is, I love you forever
Dead or alive, we'll always be together
Big Mama I love you

 

Kirk Franklin

Kirk Franklin is an internationally known gospel musician. He has been recognized for transforming traditional gospel sound to incorporate hip beats and delivery to inspire traditional and urban gospel congregations alike. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, to a teenage mother, he never knew his father and was adopted at the age of three by the only mother he ever really knew--his great-aunt Gertrude.

At an early age, Gertrude took special interest in assisting Franklin to develop his interest in music. She and her young nephew would collect recycling cans and newspapers and use that money to fund his piano lessons beginning at age four.  Her commitment to helping him find his passion has resulted in Franklin receiving numerous awards as an accomplished musician. Adding to his accomplishments, Franklin now can include the two Grammy’s he received at the 54^th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Song and Best Gospel Album. There’s no doubt that great-aunt Gertrude was in his mind as he took home these honored awards. "She taught me everything. She taught me how to respect people and respect myself, and that's something I'll never forget."

 

Photos courtesy UPI Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea and WENN

Intergenerational Origami

In 2006 we had a delightful office assistant, Sachi, at Generations United. She left us to go back to Japan but following the earthquake she returned to US to marry and live in Ohio. Sachi is back working for us for a few weeks. When she isn't helping with our database, she's sharing her many talents with our staff. Here she is showing our intern Que the art of Origami. A wonderful intergenerational activity! Great to have you back Sachi, if only for a short while!

Generations United Responds to Obama’s FY2013 Budget Request

Looking to “build an economy to last,” President Obama has released his proposed budget for FY 2013. Many of its provisions won’t come as a surprise: the President began laying the groundwork for his budget with his economic speech in Kansas in December and again during the State of the Union Address in January. The budget simply serves as the plan to put his aspirations into action.

After a preliminary review, Generations United’s Policy Team by and large gives the budget a thumbs up, cautioning that it does contain some cuts to social service programs. Here’s a brief summary of the major provisions that affect children, youth and older adults.

• The President’s budget provided important increases in Early Education Investments and Community Supports through increased funding for Head Start and Early Head Start and for an early learning challenge focus within the Race to the Top program. Generations United supports the continued integration of early childhood programs and the increased investment in these programs.
• The budget continues to fund our nation’s Commitment to Programs Serving Vulnerable Populations through important programs such as Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Unfortunately the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was not given sufficient priority in a time of rising home energy costs and stressed family budgets.
• The budget takes important steps toward College Affordability and Tax Relief efforts by increasing the maximum Pell Grant award and making expansions of several tax credits permanent.
• The budget proposes a modest increase to continue the Support for Volunteerism, for important programs like Senior Corps, that does great work engaging seniors to serve children and at-risk youth in our communities.
• The FY13 budget provides funding to continue the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which provides critical health care coverage and support for our youngest and oldest generations.
• The President’s 2013 budget also includes a commitment to strengthen Social Security. Generations United urges the Administration to continue their commitment to this issue and pledge not to cut Social Security.

Generations United will continue to work with Members of Congress and the Administration on improving/supporting these and other critical programs for children and older adults in order to strengthen our country and support an economy built to last. 

Sign up here to receive Generations United’s Policy Alert on the President’s FY2013 budget on Thursday.

What Would You Do?

Hi All,

Colleen, here, Communications Coordinator for Generations United. This is only my second foray into blog-writing. But I wanted to share with you something that happened this morning on my way to work.  

Most days I ride the bus to my subway stop and the entire trip is pretty uneventful. This morning, though, at one bus stop, a young Hispanic male came aboard pushing a middle-aged man with cerebral palsy in a wheelchair.  In broken English, he asked the bus driver to help secure the man’s wheelchair, then hurried off to wait for his own bus to arrive. Meanwhile, our bus driver immediately cleared space for the man in the wheelchair and made certain he was safely in place before driving on.

At my stop, as I was alighting from the bus, I heard the man in the wheel chair ask the bus driver for help getting off. I continued on to a nearby Metro elevator, but glanced back to see if the man was doing okay on his own. I noticed he was pushing himself backward with his feet and that he was moving precariously close to the edge of the curb. Suddenly, the wheelchair tipped over and into the street, leaving the young man lying dazed in oncoming traffic.

Out of 11 able-bodied people standing at the elevator, three of us responded.  No one else moved; they just stood there watching.

With some difficulty, the two young women and I managed to get the young man upright and in his wheelchair. After making sure he was okay, we walked back to the elevator. The others had already disappeared into the Metro station.

The experience left me dumb-founded and reflecting on a TV show I recently came across: “Primetime: What Would You Do?”  The show sets up every-day scenarios that reflect on how people act and what they decide to do. The show uses actors to play out a normal everyday scene and then tapes the occurrence with hidden cameras to examine how passersby react to everyday dilemmas that test their character and values. But this instance wasn’t an act, it was the real deal. I couldn’t help wondering why so many people would stand around or walk by, rather than help, as another human being could be seriously injured. 

The experience also made me think about those who did come forward: the anonymous young passenger who helped the man board the bus; the busy, middle-aged bus driver who made sure the man’s wheelchair was secured; the two twenty-somethings and me (a baby boomer), who made sure he was okay.  Small acts of kindness by several strangers, but it left a big impression.

The common denominator wasn’t age, or gender, or ethnic background, or even self-interest; it was our humanity.   Any thoughts?

 

Photo courtesy ABC’s What Would You Do?

Great Intergenerational Super Bowl Commercial

During this year's Super Bowl we spotted a terrific and funny commercial with an intergenerational theme.  Check out this great video of a grandmother and her grandchild rallying together for a joint cause....eating Doritos! 

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.