(Washington, DC) – Generations United announced today that Senator Tammy Baldwin will receive Generations United’s 2017 Jack Ossofsky Award for Lifetime Achievement in Support of Children, Youth and Older Adults. The award is a lasting tribute to Ossofsky, who was executive director of the National Council on Aging, and one of the co-founders and early leaders of Generations United.
Senator Baldwin, an honorary co-chair of Generations United’s National Center on Grandfamilies Council, has worked tirelessly to promote policies that bring all generations together, particularly her work to raise the visibility of grandparents raising grandchildren.
Senator Baldwin, who was raised by her maternal grandparents, knows firsthand the joys that come from growing up in a grandfamily. That experience as well as serving as her grandmother’s primary caregiver shaped her future in public service. She led the bipartisan effort to support family caregivers by sponsoring and passing the RAISE Family Caregivers Act in the Senate.
“Senator Baldwin has been a strong champion for children, youth and older adults on issues ranging from health care to education to elder justice,” – Donna Butts, Executive Director of Generations United.
Generations United’s Global Intergenerational Conference provides an opportunity for professionals and community leaders from all over the world to learn, network and share about innovative research, policies, and programs that connect older and younger generations. Themed “Generations Remixed”, the 19th biennial conference – in partnership with St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, aims to spark new ideas, put a spotlight on best practices, and energize attendees to build stronger communities by tapping into the strengths of all ages.
Educational sessions cover a broad range of topics, such as Grandparents Raising Grandchildren; Community Building, Technology Linking Generations, Health & Wellness, Lifelong Co-Learning & Education, Creative Expression, Workforce Development and more.
Past conferences have featured remarks from distinguished speakers such as political scientist and bestselling author Robert Putnam, Emmy Award-winning journalist Daniel Schorr, bestselling author Judith Viorst, Emmy Award-winning journalist and commentator Juan Williams and others.
The four-day event, June 13-16, will attract a broad audience including community leaders, business executives, advocates, researchers, educators, funders, and caregivers. The multidisciplinary gathering makes for a one-of-a-kind opportunity for learning, networking, and relationship building across professions and sectors. Attendees are united by a common aim to invest in intergenerational solutions that improve lives, organizations, communities, and beyond.
Held for the first time in Milwaukee, the event will feature a special preconference, led by local host St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. During the one-and-a-half day workshop, attendees will learn how to build, open and operate a shared-site intergenerational day center that serves youth and elders, based on St. Ann Center’s award-winning model.
Additional preconferences include a half-day Grandfamilies Forum, focused on issues affecting grandparents raising grandchildren, and a guided tour to some of Milwaukee’s most innovative programs that are connecting older and younger generations.
“It’s vital that we value the gifts of older people and the positive effect they have on the growth of our children, and the power of our young to bring joy and a sense of purpose to older adults,” said Sr. Edna Lonergan, OSF, president of St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. “We are proud and excited to partner with Generations United in promoting intergenerational programs as a social, spiritual and economic solution that will strengthen our communities from within.”
To register or learn more about Generations United’s 19th Global Intergenerational Conference, cohosted by St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, click here, follow us on Twitter @GensUnited, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/generationsunited.