Real words from real people we've walked with.

So excited to invite our friends at Gentle Generations back tomorrow. This dynamic pair founded Gentle Generations, a youth-led nonprofit determined to eliminate loneliness in elderly communities, inspired by their journey with their own grandmother!

Holidays are the hardest. Many of my friends have passed, and I don’t have family nearby. But last December I recieved a handmade card from Gentle Generations. I cried. Not because I was sad, but because I felt so touched that someone remembered I was still here. It made my entire year.

At my age, you start to feel like the world has moved on without you. I was always independent, but after a fall, everything changed. I was a different person. Sad most days. I remember one day there was a painting on my bed and the title said, "The world is a better place with you in." It made me smile. my bed. It was written by a young I needed help. The people from the organization helped me get a walker, but they also took the time to sit and have tea with me. They remembered my stories, asked how I was really doing. That kind of kindness can’t be bought. It made me feel like I still matter.

Gentle Generations breathes new life into our residents. It is so wonderful to see the young and the old come together and build relationships."

Volunteering with the residents completely changed how I see older people. When I first started reading stories over Zoom, I didn’t know if anyone was even listening. But then I got a thank-you card from one of the residents, and it said, 'Your voice makes the room feel warm.' That stuck with me.

I used to think I was the one helping them, but really—they helped me grow. I learned how to listen better, how to be more confident, and how important it is to care for people that are old.