Bridging Generations Through Conversation

Last week, the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill buzzed with conversation as we hosted an intergenerational communication workshop for local Chinese seniors🧓🏽

Designed and facilitated by Gerry, a senior at UNC, the workshop focused on strengthening connections between grandparents and grandchildren. Through the lens of “communication,” participants explored how language and cultural gaps can create distance—and how small shifts can help bridge it🌉

Gerry shared practical, relatable strategies, like asking open-ended questions, showing curiosity about younger generations’ interests, and replacing “lectures” with dialogue. Many participants spoke openly about feeling misunderstood by their families, opening the door for WAVES community workers to introduce the Strong Minds one-on-one mental health program, which sparked strong interest.

We’re grateful for the chance to support mental health and connection across generations and look forward to partnering with more senior centers to serve diverse communities😊💜