About Grand Friends
Society often divides us into silos that make it harder to interact with people who have differing opinions, ages, and life circumstances. The Grand Friends program aims to celebrate the diversity of our community and bring people together. This program matches older adults with students who are studying aging or social work to build one-on-one friendships over the course of the semester.
Research shows that maintaining positive social relationships and engaging in social activities are major determinants of quality of life as we age. The Grand Friends program invites older adults to connect with younger adults, contributing to their development during a period of intense learning, opinion formation, and decision-making that will affect the rest of their lives.
Students report having a better understanding of what it means to age well, a deeper respect for older adults, an increased awareness of the language around aging, increased knowledge about community resources, and a desire to continue connecting with older adults.
Student Testimonials
鈥淭his class鈥as changed the way I see my parents, my grandparents, and aging as a whole.鈥
鈥淭his has encouraged me to be less anxious about the process of aging.鈥
鈥淎pplying the concepts I learn in my course to my Grand Friend's life allows me to get a more well rounded view of the aging process.鈥
Fall 2024 Course Partnerships
During the fall semester, 43 students in two Human Development and Family Science classes were matched with Grand Friends: and