Jennah Mansour leaned forward and shared a concern she would normally keep among her peers.
“I’m worried there won’t be any jobs for me because AI is taking over.”
But instead of saying it to a classmate, the Orange Crescent School sophomore directed the thought to someone more than 50 years her senior.
“I was scared of the same thing when computers first came out,” said Asif Uddin, 76. “It didn’t eliminate jobs, but it changed what we needed to know. Technology will keep evolving. What matters is learning how to adapt.”
Asif Udin speaks with students, including Jennah Mansour (right), during a Golden Connections meeting.(Photo by Leena Albinali)
Conversations like these are why I founded the Golden Connections Club at my high school.
Golden Connections brings teenagers and older adults together through structured conversations, shared activities and community events. I started the club after my grandmother came to live with my family. I noticed a lot of meaningful conversations were happening but not many students my age were part of them.
I wanted to create something that made those connections accessible whether you have a grandparent close by or not.
At meetings, participants are often paired for discussion, with many conversations continuing beyond the planned prompts. One activity that has become a favorite is the “Wisdom Wall,” where seniors share advice, reflections and life lessons that are archived for students to read and respond to.
“It didn’t feel forced,” said Sana Ali, a sophomore at Orange Crescent School. “It just felt like talking to a friend who had a lot of experience and was willing to share it.”
Older adults who participate in the program described the meetings as an opportunity to connect with younger generations. Participants and organizers say the program also addresses a gap in connection across age groups. While many students rely on digital communication, some older adults may experience limited opportunities for in-person interaction. Golden Connections brings both groups into a shared space for conversation.
“I enjoy being able to talk to students and hear what their lives are like today,” said Shameem Syed, a 70-year-old participant in the program. “It’s a chance to exchange ideas, and we learn just as much from them as they do from us.”
School staff members have also observed the impact of the program on students.
“Programs like this give students the opportunity to step outside of their usual social circles and engage in conversations they might not otherwise have,” said Principal Maisa Youssef of Orange Crescent School.
Organizing the club requires coordination between students, school staff and community members, including outreach to older adults willing to participate.
I found that the logistics of getting people together from different generations takes planning, but once they’re in the same space, the conversations happen naturally.
Golden Connections reflects a broader effort to create intergenerational programs in schools and communities. These initiatives are highlighted each year during Global Intergenerational Week, an annual event that promotes activities bringing different age groups together through shared experiences. This year, the event takes place April 24 to 30, 2026.
At Orange Crescent School, Golden Connections continues to expand as more students become involved and additional events are planned throughout the school year. What began with four members has grown to include 22 students, with new initiatives introduced to deepen engagement. We now have three chapters as students open clubs in their own communities.
One current program pairs students with older adults as pen pals, allowing them to exchange letters over time. The program will culminate in an end-of-year ice cream social, where participants will meet face-to-face for the first time.
The initiative has also been incorporated into the school curriculum, with students participating through their English classes to develop letter-writing and communication skills.
For participants, the impact of the club can be seen in conversations that continue beyond the meetings.
“After the event, I kept thinking about what we talked about,” said Mansour. “It stayed with me.”
During Global Intergenerational Week, clubs like Golden Connections show how student-led initiatives can create opportunities for connection between generations.
