San Diego County has been named one of five winners of the inaugural America's Best Intergenerational Communities Awards by MetLife Foundation and Generations United, the county announced today.
San Diego County has several intergenerational programs, including volunteer grandparents who mentor foster youth at the San Pasqual Academy in Escondido and the Intergenerational Games in which older adults are teamed up with elementary students, according to the county.
"The county offers many excellent opportunities to pair up the talent and knowledge of our older residents with the eagerness to learn exhibited by our younger generations," said Ron Roberts, chairman of the county Board of Supervisors. "It has proven to be a great two-way learning opportunity for everyone involved."
The award was created to help raise awareness of the importance of intergenerational programs in building strong, supportive communities, according to Generations United.
"Programs that bring together residents of all ages are the cornerstone of building a health community that looks after all its residents," said Nick Macchione, director of the county Health and Human Services Agency.
Other winners include Georgetown, Texas; Lamoni, Iowa; Oberlin, Ohio; and Virginia Planning District 10 -- which includes Albermarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties and the city of Charlottesville.
