Building Relationships Across Generations Through the Arts

Since its grand opening in November 2023, the Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness (Generations Center) has served as a vibrant hub where individuals of all ages can come together to celebrate creativity and well-being. Born from the collaborative efforts of Senior Services and several partners, this visionary center stands as a testament to the transformative power that the arts can play in people’s everyday lives.

Lee Covington, president and chief executive officer, reminisced about Senior Services’ humble beginnings in 1962, when Meals-on-Wheels was launched by a group of local women. Over the years, its mission expanded to encompass a range of services aimed at helping older adults to age with dignity and live with purpose.

The journey toward creating the Generations Center began in 2016 with the inception of the Aging with Purpose program. Through partnerships with Kindermusik International, local artists, and UNC School of the Arts, Senior Services witnessed the profound impact of connections forged through music and art, and between the generations.

By early 2018, discussions with Family Services and Sawtooth School for Visual Art gave rise to the ambitious vision of a comprehensive center that would foster regular interactions between young people and older adults. Today, the 62,500-square-foot facility includes programming and services from 21 organizations and is designed to be welcoming to everyone, especially older adults. Support from donors across the community and a grant from The Winston-Salem Foundation helped make this dream a reality.

“Research shows that our whole community thrives when we have trusting relationships with people of different generations. Appreciating each other’s life experiences and perspectives truly makes our communities stronger and healthier.”

Renee Griffin, creative aging and partnerships officer, underscored the importance of fostering relationships across generations: “Research shows that our whole community thrives when we have trusting relationships with people of different generations. Appreciating each other’s life experiences and perspectives truly makes our communities stronger and healthier.”

Looking to the future, Senior Services envisions a community where aging is celebrated, not feared, where understanding between generations is fostered. “We hope people will see growing older as a normal, valuable part of life—something to be embraced and celebrated,” Renee said.