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News for Advocates of Children, Youth and Older Adults from Generations United

 Volume 7, Issue 30
July 25, 2012
Featured Articles
Grandparents Day 2012
Grand Faces Grand Voices
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Special Edition 
Grandparents Day 2012  
This year, from September 8 to 15:  
Picture Yourself Doing Something Grand!

 

Imagine if millions of older adults used their voices to advocate on behalf of America's future: our children and youth. That's precisely what Generations United envisions come September.

 

Using Grandparents Day (September 9) as a call to action, we are planning a full week of intergenerational activism. Together, adults and youth can reach out to decision makers and begin one of the most important dialogues in our history: addressing the many challenges facing future generations-from literacy to health and wellness to financial stability.

 

We're calling this campaign Do Something Grand, and we're sharing resources, ideas, and information on ways that you and your organization can get involved at www.grandparentsday.org.

 

Grandparents and Older Adults:  Commit to do something grand. Share your wisdom, perspectives and key civic values with the young people in your life. Then, become a Grand Face Grand Voice to improve the lives of all children across the country.

 

Children, Youth, and Younger Adults:  Commit to do something grand. Make a special effort to connect with your grandparents in a meaningful way--whether they're down the street or across the country--and volunteer with or for older adults in your community.

 

Grandfamilies: By providing a safe and loving home to your grandchildren or other relatives in your care, you do something grand for children every day of the year. As part of our week-long celebration of Grandparents Day, Generations United recognizes, honors, and thanks grandfamilies in particular. We will release a special new publication of inspirational stories for grandfamiles. Read it together as a family. Find out how you can do something grand to ensure better policies for grandfamilies.

 

 

Intergenerational Programs: You do something grand every time you bring younger and older people together. Plan grand intergenerational activism projects and tell us what you did. We'll highlight projects from across the country and share ideas with you.

 

Visit our week-at-a-glance now and make sure to visit GrandparentsDay.org for the latest information. Send your questions to  gu@gu.org. Together, we can truly Do SOMETHING GRAND.

Grandparents Day Spotlight: Grand Faces Grand Voices

We believe that grand faces and voices can make a difference for children and youth. That's why Generations United's Seniors4Kids is raising the visibility of adults age 50 and older in support of policies and investments that help younger people thrive.   

 

Our Goal: 

Feature 1,000 adults age 50 and older who commit to "doing something grand" on behalf of public policies that propel vulnerable children forward and strengthen the long-term well-being of communities for all ages.

 

It's as easy as 1-2-3 to become a Generations United Grand Face Grand Voice.

  1. Visit Generations United's Facebook page (and make sure to "like" us)
  2. Click on the Grand Face Grand Voice Pledge in the featured tabs 
  3. After the form uploads, check the pledge box and sign your contact information

If you can give us a little more time and effort, help Grand Faces Grand Voices really live up to its name. Use the pledge form to attach your picture and share your commitment to do something grand in support of policies that help children and youth thrive in your community, state, or nationwide.

 

Not on Facebook? Not a problem! Find out how you can submit online or through the mail here.

 

Generations United has sample policy commitments to help guide you such as early care and education, grade-level reading, school breakfast and more. But we encourage you  to raise your "voice" about policy recommendations for children and youth that support your  organization's priorities or your individual interests.

Our regular edition of Generations This Week
will be back next week!
Quote
"When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers--so many caring people in this world."
Fred Rogers

Note: Following last Friday's horrific shooting in Aurora, Colorado, the Colorado Children's Campaign shared Mr. Rogers' message of hope with members of the community. Generations United recently expanded Seniors4Kids into Colorado. We are honored to work with such a compassionate and committed partner. 

Your Feedback Invited! 

We want Generations This Week to be a real resource to you. Send any news items about upcoming events, grants or publications you have to share. Or, just let us know how we can improve! My email is ccarroll@gu.org. I'd love to hear from you!

 

Best,  

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Colleen Appleby-Carroll
Communications Coordinator
Generations United

 

  
Grand Magazine Cover Grand Magazine Cover

Grand MagazineAll readers of Generations This Week can receive a full, complimentary subscription to GRAND, the online magazine by grandparents, for grandparents.  

 

That's a $19.95 value for 12 issues.

 

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