Empowered Voices – Launch Edition
By Leah Bradley, Executive Director & Co-Founder, Empowering the Ages
Welcome to Empowered Voices, the new monthly blog from Empowering the Ages (ETA)!
Empowered Voices, ETA’s new blog, is our way of sharing the many voices, stories, and perspectives of people connected with ETA and our community. Each month, you’ll hear from individuals of different ages and experiences, offering unique insights into why connecting generations matters—both for today and for the future.
ETA is a nonprofit dedicated to fostering intergenerational connections to strengthen communities and address pressing social challenges. We believe that bringing together younger and older generations is a powerful—and often underutilized—tool to unlock learning, purpose, and growth for everyone involved.
Research consistently shows the value of this work: older adults who engage in meaningful roles with youth report lower rates of depression and improved well-being, while children in intergenerational programs demonstrate stronger social-emotional skills and academic engagement. These are outcomes that ripple beyond individuals, shaping healthier families and stronger communities.
Since its founding, ETA has connected hundreds of older adults and children and young adults across Montgomery County, Maryland and vicinity. These relationships have built linkages across generations, ensuring that wisdom, energy, and compassion flow in both directions.
Our work focuses on three core areas: school readiness, workforce development, and community empowerment. By weaving intergenerational connections into these areas, we create opportunities that support children’s success in school, prepare young adults for the workforce, and build stronger, more resilient communities.
Over the next year, Empowered Voices will highlight stories that demonstrate how intergenerational connections spark mutual growth and belonging, and how these bonds transform lives across all stages of life. Visit www.empoweringtheages.org to learn more, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Join us each month as we amplify voices across the ages.
With gratitude,
Leah Bradley