A new report focused on intentional intergenerational living communities spotlights Treehouse Foundation’s award-winning community model in support of children who have experienced foster care and their families.
The intergenerational aspect of Treehouse Foundation’s award-winning community model is critical to its success. The model supports families with children who’ve experienced foster care and adoption and is built on belonging, thriving, connection, trust, and community. By bringing together older adults seeking purpose, everyone benefits.
“Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health. Our relationships are a source of healing and well-being hiding in plain sight – one that can help us live healthier, more fulfilled, and more productive lives.”
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy
This spring, Treehouse Foundation was invited to contribute to the creation of a new “call to action and a strategic plan designed to promote intentional intergenerational housing and communities that foster meaningful interactions among people of all generations.” The report, Healthier Lives Across Generations: A Blueprint for Intergenerational Living is focused on intentional intergenerational living or communities open to people of all ages that have a deliberate focus on fostering intergenerational interaction and relationships. In May, Treehouse participated in an expert symposium at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the insights from which informed the report. The Blueprint outlines key strategies for expanding intergenerational living opportunities and includes an action agenda for public and private investors, policymakers, and local government, and is the result of a partnership between Generations United, Harvard’s Joint Center on Housing Studies, and LeadingAge.
Treehouse is also featured on page 21 of the report as an example of intentional, intergenerational community. Treehouse has been recognized previously by Generations United as a Program of Distinction, an award for intergenerational programs that meet a higher standard of innovation, leadership, and/or best practices and develop greater confidence in program sustainability and capacity to achieve targeted outcomes. Generations United is a national nonprofit with the mission to improve the lives of children, youth, and older people through intergenerational collaboration, public policies, and programs for the enduring benefit of all.