After a unanimous vote by the Inglewood City Council, Generation Connect, an innovative intergenerational program, is set to bring together Inglewood high school students and seasoned adults throughout the city to foster connections and provide valuable tech support, online gaming opportunities, and common interest bonding.
The groundbreaking mayoral initiative is made possible through a collaborative effort between the City of Inglewood, the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD), the award-winning social impact startup Generation Connect, and the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB).
The All IN for INglewood program allows selected Inglewood high school students to enroll in the Generation Connect Work Experience Education class as an accredited course while also earning community service hours and compensation. The digital natives will receive professional training in teaching tech to older adults, among other related work experience, while also benefitting from mentorship and life lessons from participating seasoned adults. The aim is to foster meaningful relationships and skill development.
Introducing the initiative, Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, Jr. said, “The All IN For INglewood – Generation Connect program demostrates our commitment to bridging the gap between our exceptional high school students and older adults within our Inglewood community.
“By bringing our seniors into the digital realm, we are not only strengthening bonds between the generations but equipping our older residents with essential skills. At the same time, our teens learn, along with many valuable lessons, that their technical expertise is monetizable. Together, we are forging a path toward a more connected and brighter future for Inglewood. I am excited to see the positive impact this program will have on our community.”
Through the support of SBWIB’s Youth@Work program or similar initiatives, students who submit approved timesheets will receive approximately $16.90 per hour for their active involvement in the program.
Scheduled to start in the upcoming Fall 2023 semester, extending through Spring 2024 and Summer 2024, Inglewood High School will offer this program as an elective class, culminating in a special end-of-semester ceremony, with the mayor in attendance. During this ceremony, students and seasoned adults will receive certificates of completion, signifying their successful participation in the Generation Connect program.
For more information about the All IN For Inglewood Mayoral Initiative – Generation
Connect, visit cityofinglewood.com or generationconnect.io
