Intergenerational Research Network Inspiring Leadership in Intergenerational Activism

Wednesday 1st November 2023, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Via Zoom Link

Topic: What did we learn from facilitating a three year fellowship: Inspiring leadership in Intergenerational activism

13 fellows from across the US were selected for this fellowship in which they committed to learn and seed intergenerational programs in their communities. They also signed up to become social activists in their communities.

What was the fellowship all about: “The Why, The What and the How”

Reflections on what worked well and what we learned that can be improved 2nd time around.

Presenter / Guest Speaker Diana Ganger moved from Argentina with her husband and earned her M.S.W. at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and specialized in Family therapy and Gerontology. She implemented her first intergenerational program in Haifa, Israel as a BSW student pairing middle school children with elders in congregate housing on a one on one with weekly meetings. These quality relationships and friendships left an indelible mark.

In 1985, Diana became Director of the Moriah Early Childhood Center, (Chicago), where she created a model of a family-centered school and implemented one of the first intergenerational programs as grandparent figures, grandfriends “adopt” and become “adopted” in a classroom.
In 2004, Diana became Program Director of the Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative (JECEI), spearheading efforts to redefine excellence in early childhood education across the US.
She coaches and consults nationally and internationally on a variety of topics including leadership and excellence, systems and culture, intergenerational work etc.

Diana Ganger is the Co-founder and Executive Director of IDEAL18NFP (IDEAL18.ORG) “Intentional Deep Experiences Across Lifecycles”. It is an intergenerational national initiative launched in 2018. IDEAL18NFP works to co-create and deepen meaningful relationships across generations in schools and community organizations. Through coaching and consulting teachers and the community prepare intentionally for this deep meaningful intergenerational work.