Asbury Methodist Village’s Gaithersburg Beloved Community Initiative is proud to be among six programs nationally to receive Generations United’s prestigious 2019 Programs of Distinction designation.
“We congratulate these programs for earning this distinction and their dedication to high-quality intergenerational practices,” said Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United. “The Program of Distinction designation is the only U.S. ‘seal of approval’ for intergenerational programs. The application and review process are rigorous. Achieving this recognition is a major accomplishment and says a program employs best practices and effectively engages young and old while serving the surrounding community.”
Generations United launched the Program of Distinction designation in 2010 to recognize excellence while celebrating the rich diversity among intergenerational programs. An outside panel of experts selects designees based on evidence-based standards for quality programming, such as preparing participants, staff training, partner engagement, and use of evaluation data. Currently, 43 intergenerational programs from across the nation have an active Program of Distinction designation, which is valid for three years.
Intergenerational programs are those which increase cooperation, interaction and exchange between people of different generations, allowing them to share their talents and resources, and support each other in relationships that benefit both the individuals and their community.
Gaithersburg Beloved Community Initiative (GBCI) – founded in 2011 and run by residents in partnership with community leadership, GBCI administers seven intergenerational programs involving 120-plus older adult volunteers and hundreds of participants. The initiative helps build resilience in vulnerable children and youth by focusing on social-emotional competency. Additionally, it improves the lives of families in the Gaithersburg area through advocacy work with Action in Montgomery, a community-based organization. See the entirety of GBCI’s work and programs here.
About Generations United: For over three decades, Generations United’s mission has been to improve the lives of children, youth and older adults through intergenerational collaboration, public policies and programs for the enduring benefit of all. We have been the catalyst for policies and practices stimulating cooperation and collaboration among generations, evoking the vibrancy, energy and sheer productivity that result when people of all ages come together. We believe that we can only be successful in the face of our complex future if generational diversity is regarded as a national asset and fully leveraged. www.gu.org.
