(Louisville, KY) – Today, Generations United announced the honorees for their biennial awards program, to be presented at the 23rd Global Intergenerational Conference on June 26, 2023. They are:
- Bill Withers, The Jack Ossofsky Award for Lifetime Achievement in Support of Children, Youth, and Older Adults, posthumously
- Nashville PBS, The Generations United Media Award
- The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, The Generations United Leadership Award for Outstanding Support of Intergenerational Programs
- Mirabella at ASU, Intergenerational Innovation Award Sponsored by DOROT
- It’s A Grand Life, The Grandfamilies Award
- Loryn Davidson, The Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award
- Marsha Bauer, The Outstanding Older Adult Volunteer Award
“We congratulate these individuals and organizations on their exceptional contributions to the intergenerational field,” said Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United. “Now more than ever, it is vital to spotlight and celebrate the remarkable work happening across the country to strengthen bonds between generations, build bridges between differences, and ensure that people of all ages are valued and supported. These awardees exemplify the heart and compassion of intergenerational solutions in communities.”
We are honored to present the Jack Ossofsky Award for Lifetime Achievement in Support of Children, Youth, and Older Adults posthumously to legendary singer/songwriter Bill Withers. This award honors the lifetime achievements of an individual whose efforts benefit both the young and the old. It is a lasting tribute to Jack Ossofsky, who was executive director of the National Council on the Aging, and one of the co-founders and early leaders of Generations United.
William Harrison Withers Jr., commonly known as Bill Withers, is celebrated for his timeless music that continues to resonate across generations, highlighting the power of intergenerational connections in his artistry. His iconic songs, such as “Lean on Me,” “Grandma’s Hands,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and “Lovely Day,” have provided comfort and encouragement to listeners of all ages. Withers’ music transcends cultural divides, with themes of resilience, community, and shared humanity reflecting the values that are central to intergenerational work. His ability to unite audiences with messages of support and love illustrates the profound connection of lives, dreams, and possibilities found in his enduring artistry. The music of Bill Withers remains influential, resonating as significant part of American musical history.
The Generations United Media Award recognizes a member of the media who has made an outstanding contribution to promoting understanding and positive interaction among all generations, and to protecting the social compact. We are pleased to present this year’s award to Nashville PBS in honor of their episode on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren as part of the Aging Matters series.
Nashville PBS (NPT) serves over 2.4 million viewers across Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky, delivering trusted educational, civic, and cultural programming free to the public. These initiatives address the issues and concerns of the Nashville community, aiming to improve the lives of those they serve. WNPT is Nashville’s independent nonprofit PBS station, operated by Nashville Public Television, Inc. Shawn Anfinson is a Senior Producer at Nashville PBS, where over the past 10 years, he has produced documentary content for various projects including “American Graduate,” “Veterans Coming Home,” “Next Door Neighbors,” and “Aging Matters.” Through its acclaimed Aging Matters documentary series, Senior Producer Shawn Anfinson has shined a light on the often-overlooked stories of grandparents raising grandchildren. Supported by AARP Tennessee, the recent episode Grandparents Raising Grandchildren features first-hand stories and expert insights, including from Generations United, highlighting both the challenges and resilience of grandfamilies. By exploring topics like parental reunification and kinship caregiving, Nashville PBS elevates community understanding and underscores the vital role kin caregivers play in keeping families together.
The Generations United Leadership Award for Outstanding Support of Intergenerational Programs honors a funder whose support has led to significant advances in the intergenerational field and is presented this year to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is dedicated to finding permanent, loving families for the more than 140,000 children waiting to be adopted from foster care in the United States and Canada. The foundation partners with child welfare advocates and policymakers, provides free adoption resources, and leads national awareness efforts through public service campaigns, social media, and community events. As part of its mission, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has consistently promoted a kin-first culture, aiming for children in foster care to move to permanent homes with their kin caregivers. For nearly a decade, the foundation has collaborated with Generations United and others to advance policies, tools, and technical assistance that support this approach.
The Intergenerational Innovation Award, sponsored by DOROT, is presented to Mirabella at ASU. It honors an intergenerational team, organization, or community group that has used an innovative intergenerational approach to create solutions.
Mirabella at ASU, the nation’s first certified University Based Retirement Community (UBRC), redefines what it means to age, learn, and connect in a shared community. Strategically located on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, the community integrates older adults into the daily life of the university through structured and organic opportunities. Residents are not only given full access to university facilities and courses but are also equipped with student ID cards, symbolizing their full membership in the academic community. This innovative approach sets a new standard for age-inclusive education, civic engagement, and social connection. Signature programs like the innovative Student Artist-in-Residence and the campus “Friendship Bench” foster daily connections and tackle real social challenges through co-generational teamwork. With residents contributing hundreds of volunteer hours each week and serving as mentors and collaborators, Mirabella at ASU demonstrates the transformative power of purposeful, intergenerational community living.
This year’s Grandfamilies Award goes to Craig Nash. It honors a relative caregiver or person raised in a grandfamily, a professional, or an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the field of grandparents and other relatives raising children.
Craig Nash is a compassionate visionary whose unwavering dedication to supporting Grandfamilies and Kinship Caregivers has left an indelible mark on communities across the country. In January 2023, Craig founded It’s A Grand Life to share his personal journey and help others navigate the challenges of kinship care. What began as a podcast has evolved into a national platform offering guidance, inspiration, and vital resources to those raising grandchildren and other relatives. His podcast features grassroots leaders, subject matter experts, and caregivers, addressing the real needs of over 2.3 million U.S. grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Through his podcast, advocacy as a Generations United GRAND Voice, and creation of The Grand Fund, Craig has built bridges of hope and community for kinship caregivers everywhere. His tireless work embodies resilience, generosity, and the power of leading with purpose.
The Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award is presented to Loryn Davidson, honors an individual age 25 or younger who has made an outstanding contribution to an intergenerational program or has advocated for older adults and youth.
Generations United is proud to honor Loryn Davidson, student president of the University of Michigan chapter of Perfect Pair, with the Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award. Loryn exemplifies the powerful impact young leaders can have on bridging generations. Through her commitment to combating loneliness and fostering meaningful one-on-one relationships between college students and older adults, Loryn has helped expand Perfect Pair’s reach and deepen its mission. Under her leadership, the chapter has created over 27 new intergenerational pairs and now supports more than 40 ongoing relationships—each one built on shared experiences, compassion, and mutual growth. Her tireless efforts, genuine empathy, and commitment to intergenerational connection serve as a beacon of what youth leadership can accomplish, inspiring others to build bridges across generations and strengthen communities nationwide.
The Outstanding Older Adult Volunteer Award presented to Marsha Bauer, honors an individual age 60 or older who has made an outstanding contribution to an intergenerational program or has advocated for older adults and youth.
Generations United is honored to present the Outstanding Older Adult Volunteer Award to Marsha Bauer, a remarkable volunteer whose generosity, compassion, and tireless efforts have transformed the lives of kinship families across southeastern Michigan. Through her work with OLHSA, Thrivent, and Gifts for All God’s Children, Marsha has become a lifeline for grandfamilies, providing vital support that ranges from food and holiday gifts to personal advocacy and emergency assistance. Her commitment reflects the true spirit of intergenerational service, supporting youth through the love and dedication of an older adult who leads with her heart.
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About Generations United: For 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.