Juntos: Sharing Our Stories

The stories and photos shared on this virtual exhibit display the intentional work being done by 12 middle school youth and 12 older adults during the past two (2) summers. These past two summers (June and July of 2022 & 2023), El Buen Samaritano embarked on an intergenerational journey with “Juntos: Sharing Our Stories”. In this 8-week summer program, six older adults and six middle school-aged students come together with a mission to foster a stronger sense of engagement and connectedness between these two overlooked generations.

The heart of the program is twofold: equipping the middle school students with valuable skills and providing older adults with a platform to combat loneliness through digital literacy and digital photography. Both middle school students and older adults underwent leadership development training and learned digital and computer literacy, enabling them to explore the world of photography through hands-on sessions. Through the lens of a camera, they discovered a common language that transcended age.

Through “Juntos: Sharing Our Stories” we’ve learned a vital lesson – both generations are eager to spend more time together and continue sharing their life experiences in meaningful ways. This program has not just been a summer project but a bridge connecting the past with the future, fostering understanding, empathy, and enduring relationships. The success of this program inspires us to keep working towards a more connected and compassionate community, one shared story at a time.

If you or a youth are interested in participating in our summer 2024 cohort, click here.