Dear Colleagues & Friends-

As I stood in line one morning last week, I had an impromptu discussion with an older gentleman. He began, "I'm sad that summer's over and the kids are going back to school." I responded, "Yes but as a mom, I'm happy that they are going back." He continued, "I want to spend time with my grandchildren and that's hard to do when they are in school." I rebutted, "Yes but there is a great opportunity for you to volunteer with kids in your town!" and I proceeded to tell him about the Bridges program.

This is definitely a time of transition - the excitement (and sometimes anxiety) of new beginnings, sometimes mixed with the loss of what we've enjoyed. Gratefully, my family had a wonder-filled summer full of delightful moments in between our busy schedules. Last week, I send three sons off to live in dorms. My house will quiet down considerably with just my husband, youngest son, dog, cat and me. Mixed emotions, indeed.

At Bridges Together, we are excited to launch a new year! This summer, we worked diligently:
  • To update our Bridges manuals with expanded public relations and volunteer management sections.
  • To design the Plan Your Intergenerational Program full-day workshops (formerly called Bootcamps) with an exciting agenda, activities and handouts (complete with a recipe we will make together).
  • To launch a new series of webinars called Empower Hours so that people can learn about different aspects of intergenerational programming and get their questions answered right from the comfort of their own desks. We already have a colleague from China registered! 
  • To plan for our first Coffee Connection (formerly called Lunch and Learn).  Coffee Connections provide an opportunity for people interested in or offering intergenerational programming to come together, meet one another, share best practices, learn new techniques and receive support for their ideas. The first one will be at the Fitchburg Art Museum, which currently features a wonderful exhibit on a multicultural community. How can YOU bring multiple generations to a museum for an enriching AND peaceful exhibit? Come find out!
I do hope that I will meet you at one of these upcoming events. Thank you for your commitment to intergenerational programming.

Happy autumn!
Andrea 
Bridges Together makes a difference... and we can prove it! 

Bridges Together is affecting lives in ways that really matter! A study, led by Edward H. Thompson, Jr., PhD, professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology at the College of the Holy Cross, that has just been published ahead of print underscores the positive effects of the Bridges Together program.

Click here to read more about how the Bridges: Growing Together program has led children to develop more positive images of aging and older adults. 
Can we talk? Our new Grand Conversation Cards spark good conversations! 
 
Especially suited for grandparents and grandchildren, Bridges Together's very own Grand Conversation Cards invite people of all ages to share their experiences, perspectives, and ideals-- and a whole lot of fun! 

Play for 10 minutes or two hours, with two people or 12 (or more!).

Click here to purchase. Proceeds benefit Bridges Together, Inc. 
Don't forget the pens and buttons, too! 
 
Start your program off on the right foot! Consider giving participants Bridges Together buttons, which double as nametags, and Bridges Together pens, which fit comfortably into all hands, including small ones and arthritic ones. 

Click here to purchase. Proceeds benefit Bridges Together, Inc. 
September 13 is Grandparents Day!
teacher-girl-reading.jpg

Grandparents are special every day, but you might want to plan a festive celebration this month to honor those "parents of parents" who share their time, attention, and wisdom with younger generations. 

"A child needs a grandparent, anybody's grandparent, to grow a little more securely into an unfamiliar world." 
-Charles and Ann Morse

Bridges Together is hiring

The current BT team (L to R): Debbie Howell, Andrea Weaver, and Melanie Schneider

We're moving and grooving! Bridges Together is now looking for fill a couple of part-time positions

 

We invite applicants who are creative, experienced, and committed to intergenerational programming. We're looking for people who can join our energized, can-do team-- people who enjoy working hard and collaboratively, but like to have fun while being productive.

 

Click here to find out more. 

Granting our wishes... 

Happily, over the past few months, Bridges Together has been able to pursue a number of promising grant opportunities. We've very pleased with the results so far, and hope for even more success in the months ahead.  

 

If you know of any grants or foundations that might be a good fit for Bridges Together, pleased let us know by sending an email to [email protected]

 

 

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Bridges Together, Inc.
The Gatehouse at the Wayside Inn
47 Wayside Inn Road, 1st Floor West
Sudbury MA 01776

BridgesTogether.org