Two Harbors, MN — 2017 Best Intergenerational Communities Award Winner
With a population of 3,685, Two Harbors’ small town charm is present in how the generations work so well together and recognize each other’s strengths.
“I have seen positive change in our town,” noted Two Harbors’ Mayor Christopher Swanson, referring to the community’s focus on intergenerational efforts.
Those efforts go back to 2013, when Two Harbors “Lake” Effect Age to age was initiated. The program followed a guided planning process older and younger community members went through with the Northland Foundation.
The residents identified local needs and came up with grassroots solutions that, to this day, continue joining all ages in local projects to improve the health and well-being across generations.
Those solutions include the Two Harbors Walking Club that annually attracts over 100 participants from as young as babies in strollers to elders with walkers.
In the Lego Robotics program, 76-year-old Gary mentors and coaches a team of middle school students who compete annually. Under the lead of this “adoptive grandpa,” as his mentees affectionately call him, the youth have been on a seven-year award-winning streak. This year, they advanced to the state competition.
Two Harbors maintains its intergenerational focus — thanks to AGE to age (a Generations United Program of Distinction), which operates under the Lake Superior School District’s Community Education department inside Two Harbors High School.
The Community Education Director, Chris Langenbrunner, coordinates AGE to age with assistance from Brett Archer, principal at Two Harbors Elementary School, along with a steering committee of adults and youth that meets regularly.
AGE to age also offers technology classes where high school students, like Bob Libal, helped elders learn how to use their iPads, Skype and send email.
The experience was a win-win for Bob and the retired social studies teacher he helped.
“He helped me with my homework after I helped him get pictures from his phone to his computer,” the 17-year-old recalled. “AGE to age allows for these connections to happen.”
Those connections also happen because youth serve with elders on the boards of Two Harbors Area Fund, Community Education Advisory Council and the Trees and Trails Committee.
AGE to age also takes an intergenerational team of 10–12 community members to its annual summit, sponsored by the Northland Foundation, in Duluth, Minnesota. The event features leadership development as well as showcasing best practices from the 16 AGE to age communities.
“Without my AGE to age, I would not have the relationships I do with so many people in my community,” Bob, the high school student, noted. “Without AGE to age…I wouldn’t understand what working as a team really means.”
The community’s teamwork approach to supporting intergenerational programs includes grants from the Northland Foundation to fund AGE to age programs that include the Reading Pals, where nearly 40 older adults regularly read with more than 200 children on AGE to age’s two sites.
Other intergenerational funding sources include state funding that sustains the FaCeS-Child Abuse prevention program, which serves children at risk of being abused and gives elders an opportunity to be mentors.
Two Harbors Community Radio secured funding for intergenerational radio programs, while the Experimental Aircraft Chapter 1128 uses member dues and volunteers for their intergenerational aircraft builds.
The City of Two Harbors also provides in-kind donation of office space, phone and internet for intergenerational activities.
“I enjoy working with Two Harbors’ teens and our AGE to age college interns on community projects,” Mayor Christopher Swanson explained. “Engaging generations enriches us all.”
