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- Generation Mix, Purpose Amplified
Generation Mix, Purpose Amplified
Fresh research reveals how partnering with people 20 + years apart can ignite service, connection, and meaning.
Cara Gray
May 21, 2025
In partnership with
Dear Friends -
You don’t need to sit in a pew, pray facing Mecca, or chant Sanskrit mantras to appreciate this insight. A new CoGenerate/YouGov study of 1,500 U.S. adults shows that when older and younger people intentionally mix, everyone gains purpose, connection, and a bigger drive to serve—whether the setting is a church, a mosque, a yoga studio, or a neighborhood tool‑library. In other words, the headline is intergenerational relationships, not dogma. If you’re looking for practical ways to keep your Third Act vibrant, the data is a treasure map.
“Intergenerational friendships are often what keep people connected to faith communities—not just doctrine or tradition, but real relationships that ground them.” — Katie Gordon
(All percentages and quotes in this issue come from CoGenerate’s May 2025 report, “Can Bringing Older and Younger People Together Renew Religious Communities?”)f
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Five Fast Insights (Why This Matters for Your Third Act)
Insight | Why It’s Good News for You |
|---|---|
1. Older & younger want to mix. 78 % of religiously engaged adults rank “creating opportunities for older and younger members to connect” as a top priority. (CoGenerate) | You’re not the only one craving multi‑generational energy. The appetite is there—someone just has to spark it. |
2. Connection drives participation. Nearly half say they’d show up more often if intergenerational options were on the calendar. (CoGenerate) | If you’ve felt disengaged, a cross‑age project could be the missing magnet. |
3. Communities know they must do more. 1 in 3 report no intergenerational outreach at all, and most struggle to imagine fresh ideas. (CoGenerate) | Your leadership experience is a gift—design the solution you wish existed. |
4. Mentoring sounds great—execution is weak. Only 8 % say their congregation does mentoring well. (CoGenerate) | Perfect arena for “co‑mentoring”: think learning circles, reverse‑mentoring tech tutorials, or skill swaps. |
5. Serving together is the game‑changer. 90 % rate community‑service projects as the most effective way to unite ages. (CoGenerate) | Impact + relationships = purpose fuel for your Third Act. |
From Insight to Action
Audit Your Circles
List the spaces where you spend time each week.
Circle any that naturally include other generations. How many? (Most retirees find this shockingly low.)
Prototype a Micro‑Mix
Invite: One person at least 20 years older or younger than you to coffee and share a question you’re each wrestling with.
Observe: How does the conversation expand your perspective?
Pitch a “Co‑Gen” Pilot
Example script for your faith leader:
“The new CoGenerate survey shows that service projects draw generations together and boost engagement. What if we piloted a quarterly ‘Serve Saturday’ that pairs members 60+ with Gen Z & Millennials? I’m happy to coordinate the first one.”
Make Mentoring Mutual
Re‑brand “sage on a stage” to “partner in progress.” Pair digital‑native skills with career wisdom, recipe swaps with start‑up advice.
Extend Beyond the Building
The study suggests intergenerational volunteering can pull people out into the broader community. Choose a local nonprofit and volunteer as an age‑mixed team.
Reflection Prompt (Journal or Discussion Group)
“Where in my life am I currently siloed by age, and what single experiment this month could open that silo?”
Act Three AI Prompt
Copy, paste, and customize in ChatGPT (or your favorite tool):
Prompt: “Give me three creative service‑project ideas that pair Boomers and Gen Z/Millennials, require no more than two hours of prep, and address loneliness in my ZIP code ______.”
Final Thought
Your Third Act isn’t defined by a number on your driver’s license—it’s defined by the bridges you build. When you combine the experience of age with the curiosity of youth, purpose multiplies. Let’s be the catalyst our communities are waiting for.
Until next time, keep designing the third act that leaves the world brighter.
Cara Gray
Third Act Consultant, CPRC, CEPA™️
P.S. If you want to start planning your third act, set up a time on my calendar for a chat: Schedule a Chat with Cara