environment that fosters learning, collaboration, and innovation across generations. The hub will focus on three primary areas: intergenerational programming, research opportunities, and JMU student experiences. 1. Intergenerational Programming Generations @ Madison will offer innovative programs that bring together youth, adults, and seniors to explore shared interests and tackle community challenges. Examples include arts and storytelling workshops, technology mentoring (where younger participants help older adults build digital skills), community gardening, and civic engagement initiatives addressing local issues. These programs will cultivate empathy, shared understanding, and mutual respect—key components of community resilience. 2. Research Opportunities The hub will serve as a living laboratory for JMU faculty and students interested in studying intergenerational learning and communication. Interdisciplinary research projects could explore topics such as aging well, social inclusion, health and wellness, and the role of education in bridging generational divides. Faculty will have opportunities to publish and present findings, while students will gain valuable applied research experience that strengthens their academic and professional development. 3. JMU Student Experiences The initiative will create hands-on learning opportunities for JMU students through internships, research assistantships, and volunteer positions. Students will help design and facilitate programs, conduct research, and engage directly with participants across generations. These experiences will provide students with transferable skills in leadership, communication, and program management. Annual Theme Model Each year, SPCE will introduce a unifying theme to guide programming, partnerships, and research across its portfolio. Year One (2026): Mental Health and Well-Being. Programming will highlight cross-generational approaches to emotional resilience and wellness. A signature initiative, Headstrong: Empowering You to Be the Best Version of Yourself , will engage rising 7th–9th graders in developing lifelong skills for emotional health and self-confidence in a supportive environment led by experienced professionals and youth mentors. Complementary programming will connect this focus across adult and lifelong learning audiences. Year Two (2027): Technology. The second-year theme will explore how different generations experience and adapt to technological change, creating opportunities for mutual mentoring and skill-sharing between younger and older learners.
Madison Trust 2026 Project Proposal
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