This October marks the 5th year since Mi Casa launched the Genesis Intergenerational Program. As we come to the end of our 5th year, we would like to reflect on all of the recent adaptations that have taken place within the Genesis community, and look forward to building deeper connections within the Genesis program in this upcoming year.

We launched Genesis in 2015 based on a national model of intergenerational communities in which older adults provide meaningful care and social support to individuals and families facing particular vulnerabilities, who in turn, promote the well-being of the elders as they age. The Genesis program is housed in a 27-unit affordable rental building developed by Mi Casa in partnership with city agencies and is specially designed for the intergenerational program, with a community kitchen, meeting room, garden, and library.

At the core of Genesis are meaningful intergenerational relationships that promote family support, child development and aging-in-place. Children build strong connections to their neighbors, who serve as built-in role models. Mothers build supportive lasting relationships with caring adults, which they have had little chance to develop while in the foster care system. Seniors with limited incomes, who often have diminishing support networks, are less at risk for social isolation, which correlates to better emotional, physical and mental health. With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Genesis community had to overcome a wave of new challenges. Some lost their jobs or experienced wage reductions. Young parents were challenged with the difficulties of home-schooling young children and many found themselves more isolated and anxious about the future. In such a critical time, the need for community has become even more important–and the work of Mi Casa staff has shifted to keeping people connected, even while social distancing.

In addition to conducting remote check-ins with residents and encouraging community members to continue to support one another, we added virtual community-building events such as our Summer Social Justice Art Class. We also focused on outdoor activities, strengthening our budding farm-to-table project with a local urban farm that encourages healthy eating and highlights the connection between gardening and the food we eat. The Genesis garden has served as a vital source of community for Genesis residents during the pandemic, especially those who have limited access to, or experience with, technology. Through the Genesis Garden, residents have the opportunity to reflect on their connection to food and connect with their neighbors as they work together as a team to cultivate produce in their very own garden. So far, residents have grown cantaloupe, peppers, tomatoes, kale, and squash, as well as herbs.

We have been encouraged to see the ways in which residents in the Genesis program have been continuing to support each other through these trying times and we continue to focus on effectively developing and implementing timely changes to the Genesis program to support the growth of all our members. Here are a few ways you can support Genesis at this time:

• Join us now and donate $50 which will help provide this critical support system to vulnerable DC residents while social isolation and economic insecurity are high due to Covid-19’s effects.  Donate here: https://www.cfp-dc.org/nonprofits/1419/Mi-Casa/
• Follow us on social media: @MiCasaIncDC and @GenesisIntergenerationalProgram
• Share this post with a friend!