Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Intergenerational National Service By, With, And For All Ages, Phyllis N. Segal

eJournal of Public Affairs

Intergenerational national service builds community ownership by connecting people of different ages around a common purpose addressing social problems. Federal policies have encouraged older and younger people to meet challenges facing the other’s generation, and bring the generations together to serve with each other. Although implementation has fallen short of the laws enacted, experience with intergenerational service confirms its benefits for participants, individuals who are served, and communities. In addition to making progress on pressing social challenges, engaging community members across the age spectrum to serve together increases understanding and empathy across generational divides. Bridging this as well as other …