Bridging Generations: How Four Teens Sparked an Asian American Intergenerational Movement at CCACC

A Childhood Rooted in Multigenerational Bonds

Ethan Huang and Steven Huang, ages sixteen and fourteen, were raised by their grandparents in a Chinese multigenerational household while their parents worked. Their grandparents nurtured them with Chinese meals, folktales, and children's shows, fostering a deep bond and curiosity for their heritage. However, when their grandparents traveled to China, the COVID pandemic prevented their return, and their grandfather was diagnosed with colon cancer, leaving the family unable to reunite.

Building a Team with a Shared Vision

During their grandparents' absence, childhood memories resurfaced, inspiring the brothers to create intergenerational connections in their community. Last May, Ethan met Dr. Yuchi Huang, the board chair of the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) with facilities in Rockville and Gaithersburg, who shared the same vision. With his guidance, Ethan formed the idea of an Asian American intergenerational nonprofit to preserve and share stories. He was soon joined by friends Zack Lam and Alicia Yang, both 16. Zack, grieving his late grandfather and inspired by his family's history, saw the value of preserving stories. Alicia, who was also raised by her grandparents, was moved by the project after interviewing them about their childhood.

Understanding the Generational Perspective

Together, the four high school students launched a pilot program at CCACC Adult Day Healthcare Center (ADHC), asking seniors about their experiences at the center and their interest in participating in an intergenerational program. Questions included, "What is your favorite thing to do at CCACC ADHC?" "Do you personally like to play with kids?" And, "Would you be open to an intergenerational program at CCACC?" They conducted similar interviews at CCACC Academy, a reputable nonprofit educational institution for K-5 students, comparing perspectives across generations. The findings concluded that 79% of senior respondents enjoyed the presence of kids with 73% of respondents expressing how the lively nature of kids brought them joy. Noticeably, a large number of seniors also indicated that they would enjoy sharing stories and their historical experiences with kids. These results depicted the interest in intergenerational programs amongst seniors at CCACC.

Organizing Intergenerational Events at CCACC

After consulting Dr. Huang; Mr. Ned Li, a CCACC cofounder and Director of ADHC; Mr. Vincent Ko, an entrepreneur and CCACC board member, the team organized three August events at CCACC to foster intergenerational connections, each limited to 10 students from local high schools.

Event Highlights: Bridging the Old and the Young

The first event, "Words of Advice from Asian American Seniors" (August 7), involved students interviewing seniors over lunch. Seniors emphasized the importance of learning Chinese to preserve traditions and bridge generational gaps, cherishing childhood, and focusing on education.

The second event, "Storytelling Across Generations" (August 13), had seniors share personal experiences from major historical events. These included the Great Leap Forward, a campaign for rapid industrialization that caused widespread famine; the Cultural Revolution, a movement to enforce communist ideology; and the Chinese Economic Reform, which introduced market-oriented policies and transformed China's economy. Stories included accounts of extreme hardships, including widespread hunger and forced labor, providing students with historical insight.

The final event, "Volunteers of CCACC" (August 23), featured interviews with staff and seniors. A 72-year-old volunteer, who had worked at ADHC for 16 years, shared how supporting seniors brought her joy and purpose, as the ADHC community had become her family after her own had passed away.

These events showcased the vital connection between generations in the Asian American community. Through intergenerational interactions, students gained valuable advice and life insights, while seniors shared their stories and enjoyed the company of enthusiastic youth. These exchanges deepened mutual understanding, fostered unity, and emphasized the importance of preserving the wisdom of the past for future generations.

Expanding the Vision for the Future

Last summer, the program welcomed just 10 students per event, but the team envisions a future with even more youth participating in CCACC events, deepening intergenerational connections. To capture and share these meaningful interactions, a website is now in the works, compiling narratives and interviews from grandparents, parents, and community members. Meanwhile, new collaborations with senior centers are extending the program's reach, bringing similar initiatives to communities across D.C., Maryland, New York, and New Jersey.

Get Involved: Join the Movement

If any students are interested in preserving intergenerational stories and fostering connections between youth and seniors, reach out to Ethan at ehuang547@gmail.com or they can fill out the contact form on the website at https://theinkstoneproject.systeme.io/.

(Article by Ethan Huang)