Creating Multi-Generational Connections

Strong communities consists of creative individuals, healthy families and cherished elders.

Creative Individuals

We start out on the education path with all the encouragement to be creative. In Kindergarten, first and second grades we see children creating images, stories and games from a place of discovery and joy. Fast forward a few years and things start to change. We are discouraged from coloring outside the lines, stories have to have a formula and games turn into competitions with clear goals. I read somewhere once that around fifth grade there is a separation that occurs among young people. We get stereotyped. The artsy type over here. The athletic type over there. Then the Science kids in the middle next to the natural born leaders. It’s interesting this happens, since creativity is necessary in all of these pursuits.

The good news is that many people that failed to make the obvious criteria for artsy types (perhaps they couldn’t draw in sixth grade) still cycle back around and become creative adults. It’s really in our DNA to be creative and thus, it is purposeful, meaningful and fun. Creativity and creative people add so much to our lives. Think of all the things you saw in just your neighborhood today that wouldn’t be there without the effort of creative people. Little shops and cafes, yard art and community gardens; perhaps a mural or a sculpture. Creativity begets creativity. When we have it in our lives. we want to share it. When we share it once, we want to share it again. Creativity truly is a gift that keeps on giving. And creativity takes many, many forms.

This is where we crack this whole thing wide open with Alder Garden. When an older member of our community engages a creative companion through the Alder Garden platform, they are helping them to make ends meet by being creative. In addition, the creative person is being the change they want to see. By engaging with the older generation in a meaningful, thoughtful, productive way they are creating a new era of cherishing our elders. For the aging adult, Alder Garden becomes even more. Yes, they will benefit from the time and instruction the creative person brings to their home. There will be art to show, projects to share, stories to tell and photos to send. But, there will also be so much more in that they are helping to financially support a creative person in the community. A patron of the arts in a small way making a big difference in creative people’s lives. When creative people are supported and aren’t struggling to make ends meet, they can feel confident in giving of their time in many ways. This is how Alder Garden will help aging adults to create a unique legacy. We hope that this legacy of creativity will begin to transform generations to come in the way they identify with the elders in their community.