When Generations Come Together

​As January 23, 2026, approaches, I find myself reflecting on my first year at The River Center, a family resource center grounded in community, connection, and care. The year has passed quickly, filled with accomplishments, challenges, and new goals. Through it all, I’ve felt deep gratitude for the privilege of serving this remarkable organization.

Among all our programs, Generations Together remains one of the dearest to me. This intergenerational gathering brings RiverMead residents and local children into the same room to share a story and an activity. The structure is simple, yet the impact is profound. Research shows that intergenerational programs strengthen children’s social and emotional development, reduce loneliness among older adults, and build empathy across ages. But the real proof is in the moments: a child’s laughter easing an elder’s posture, or a resident’s story holding the full attention of a four‑year‑old. These exchanges are small, but they carry real weight.

Each session is thoughtfully crafted. Our staff collaborates closely with RiverMead residents to choose meaningful activities and stories. Most days, the magic unfolds effortlessly, children discovering the warmth of older generations, and residents rediscovering the joy of being needed and remembered.

This winter, however, brought a different experience.

Between transitions at The River Center, the holiday rush, and the natural overwhelm families often feel this time of year, attendance dropped. For two months, parents and children weren’t able to join us. The RiverMead residents were gracious and understanding, yet I could still sense their disappointment. They had prepared. They had looked forward to the children’s arrival. And when the room stayed quiet, the absence was felt.
​
Rather than letting that moment pass, we gathered to reflect and brainstorm ways to strengthen participation. One idea rose quickly to the surface: write this column. Share what this program truly offers. Remind families that Generations Together is here, open, and completely free.

So here is what I want you to know.

This program welcomes any parent or caregiver with young children across the ten towns we serve — Peterborough, Greenfield, Temple, Mason, Greenville, New Ipswich, Sharon, Jaffrey, Rindge, and Dublin. While we offer many programs throughout these communities, Generations Together is something special. It provides connection for families who may feel isolated, for those without relatives nearby, or for anyone who wants their children to experience the richness of older generations. It also offers RiverMead residents a meaningful way to stay engaged, share their stories, and feel part of the lives of young families.

When children walk into that room, they bring more than energy. They bring purpose, joy, and life. When seniors show up, they bring more than stories. They bring history, wisdom, and love.

Intergenerational programs like this one do more than create sweet moments. They:

• Reduce loneliness among older adults, improving emotional and even physical well‑being.
• Boost cognitive engagement, keeping seniors mentally active through storytelling, conversation, and play.
• Support children’s social and emotional growth, teaching empathy, patience, and respect for aging.
• Break down stereotypes, replacing assumptions with real relationships.
• Strengthen communities, helping people of all ages feel seen, valued, and connected.

This program is a bridge, one our community needs more than ever.

As I celebrate my first year at The River Center, my hope is simple: that more families discover the beauty of Generations Together. That more children and seniors share stories, crafts, and moments that matter. And that we continue building a community where no one feels alone, and everyone, no matter their age, has a place to belong.

And so, as we look ahead, I want to extend an open invitation.

If you are a parent, a homeschooler, a babysitter, or simply someone caring for a child who would benefit from this experience, whether that child is a newborn or somewhere closer to “age infinity”, Generations Together is waiting for you. We meet on the first Monday of every month at RiverMead from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., and every gathering is free of charge.

Registration is simple. Visit www.rivercenternh.org, head to Get Involved, and click on Attend a Program. You’ll find our most current calendar with all program listings. Just select Generations Together and fill out the short registration form.

This group is for families who want connection, for children who thrive on new experiences, and for seniors who light up when little feet and big imaginations enter the room. It’s for anyone who believes that community grows stronger when generations grow together.

Author

Odette Butler is the Executive Director of The River Center: A Family and Community Resource Center in Peterborough, supporting area families through parenting support, tax assistance, and community connections.