About Us

Watch the Connecting Generations Video

Connecting Generations is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. We were founded in 1990 by retired DuPont executive Robert Kasey as Creative Grandparents. As our programs evolved, the Board decided to change the name of the organization from Creative Grandparenting to Connecting Generations to more accurately describe the mission and function of our programs. Connecting Generations currently offers two major programs:

Creative Mentoring offers the only statewide, free mentor training program. The training is available to any adult interested in mentoring youth in Delaware. The Creative Mentoring Program is supporting more than 80 site-based mentoring programs throughout the state by providing application processing and standardized mentoring materials to make coordination of the mentoring program easier. The Creative Mentoring Program also partners with High School Mentoring programs, where high school students are trained and then mentor younger elementary students in their community. There are more than 1,000 adult and high school mentors currently mentoring in Creative Mentoring Partner Programs.

Seasons of Respect offers an in-class workshop series designed for fifth grade students. Led by a Seasons of Respect facilitator, workshops offer interactive experiences where children creatively learn how to behave with respect toward peers and others, helping them to be able to take advantage of many opportunities that can help them become confident, caring, contributing citizens. Initially piloted in 2006, this growing program is now in 30 public schools in Delaware with over 100 classes scheduled in 2010-2011. Seasons of Respect was developed in concert with the Positive Behavior Support Project of the University of Delaware and the Attorney General’s Bully Prevention Program.

We envision a society where the talents and wisdom of all people - at all stages of life - are valued resources of community and family life. Our mission is to build communities of learning and respect in which young and old alike can develop to their fullest potential.

Connecting Generations connects the generations in a way that brings out the best in them. Our programs are designed to inspire, enable and empower caring adults to play an active role in the lives of young people. We have supported programs for schools, families, neighborhoods, seniors and teenagers. These programs connect the generations by:

• teaching young people to have respect for themselves and others
• helping elders pass on their legacies to the next generation
• supporting adults and high school students in creating and sustaining a mentoring relationship with school age youth in their community
• strengthening the ties that bind communities and families together 

Through the community programs we have supported, entire communities become “schools” where people of all ages learn and develop their potential, where learning takes place not just inside school buildings, but in faith-based organizations, in community centers, in civic and social clubs, and in the home.

We are a commitment maker with America’s Promise, and a “Model Project” of Rotary International for their Districts and Clubs. We seek partnerships and alliances to increase value and generate potential.

Current program highlights

To date, we have trained more than 9,000 mentors using our award-winning manual. This past year we trained over 950 mentors, including over 280 high school students.

We are supporting 1,000 mentors. Our mentors donate over 30,000 hours of in-school mentoring equating to a dollar value of over $650,000 each year.

We are supporting mentoring programs in 80 site-based mentoring programs across Delaware.

We offer Seasons of Respect curriculum in 102 classes in 30 schools throughout the state.

We have presented 17 workshops to smooth the way for individuals transitioning into the next stage of life.

Past activities

We made over 50 presentations to various community organizations to teach the importance of Respect to youth groups.

We provided leadership training for over 100 teenagers.

We spent ten years working with community leaders in Northeast and Northwest Wilmington neighborhoods to develop community programs uplifting children.

We conducted thematic summer camps in Wilmington for "at risk" youth for the past five years and have worked with other youth organizations to help them create similar groups.