Generations United Partners with Mentor Up to Expand Youth Jumpstart Grants Program

Grants will help young people develop projects that foster collaboration and address the needs of vulnerable older adults

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Most people are familiar with programs that match older adult mentors with at-risk children and youth to help them succeed in life. Today, Generations United announced it will promote reverse mentoring by providing Youth Jumpstart Grants that young people can use to implement projects aimed at serving and collaborating with older, vulnerable adults.  The program, conducted in partnership with Mentor Up, a new way to make a difference from AARP Foundation, will support up to 20 Jumpstart grantees who will receive grants of $1,000, along with planning support to organize and implement projects designed to have a significant impact on older adults. To be eligible for consideration, those applying for grants must be between the ages of 13 and 25 and be allied with an organization that has a 501 (c) 3 or equivalent status.

"We believe that each generation has its own set of skills and knowledge that they can and should share for the benefit of others," noted Generations United Executive Director Donna Butts. "With this grant program, we are empowering young people to give back to older generations by sharing their knowledge, skills and friendship with older adults. We're thrilled to team up with Mentor Up in promoting new approaches to intergenerational collaboration. Because, as we have learned over the years, we're stronger together."

Project possibilities for a Youth Jumpstart Grant include, but are not limited to:

• Youth initiating a project to provide adequate and nutritious food to older adults
• Youth leading healthy living classes (i.e., cooking or exercise) for older adults
• Youth developing meaningful social connections with homebound seniors
• Youth and older adults working together to prevent elder abuse in their communities
• Youth and older adults addressing a community challenge facing older Americans

"Mentor Up is a new idea developed to create reverse mentoring and youth-led service opportunities that that benefit older adults," said Jo Ann Jenkins, president of AARP Foundation.  "We have been humbled by the many examples of young people working with older adults in their neighborhoods and communities across the country. These Youth Jumpstart Grants will allow more young people to expand and grow this work and foster positive intergenerational relationships."

For more information on the Youth Jumpstart Grants, visit http://www.gu.org/OURWORK/Programs/YouthJumpstartGrants.aspx, and to learn more about the Mentor Up initiative, visit http://mentorup.org/

About Generations United: Formed in 1986, Generations United is the national membership organization focused solely on improving the lives of children, youth, and older people through intergenerational strategies, programs, and public policies. Generations United serves as a resource for educating policymakers and the public about the economic, social, and personal imperatives of intergenerational cooperation. For more information, visit www.gu.org.  

About Mentor Up: Mentor Up is a new way to make a difference from AARP Foundation that brings together the younger generation's energy and talents to pursue reverse mentoring and community service opportunities that help people 50 and older. In addition, Mentor Up is also working with organizations rooted in service and driven by social missions, including the 4-H, DoSomething.org, Generations United, The Intergenerational Center at Temple University, Magic Johnson Foundation and Facebook. For more information about Mentor Up, visit www.mentorup.org.

SOURCE Generations United