Walk of Ages was dreamed up by Price Schaffer, then 12 years old, after forming many friendships with elderly neighbors. He saw how happy it made elders to spend time with a child. He researched and found that interactions between a child and an elder enriches both of their lives by expanding community, reducing isolation, and increasing mental well-being. He wanted others to experience such friendships. He first befriended an elderly neighbor who appreciated the friendship and appreciated him spending time with her and her pets. He then befriended several other neighbors and their dogs and realized that spending time with elders was a simple way to expand community for both elders and teens. He saw the joy of social connections and how elders felt less isolated. He recruited teens to join Walk of Ages as a high school club. He gave many talks to civic groups, encouraging people to get involved. Students met online throughout the Covid pandemic and (in their monthly meetings) reported on their efforts to connect, shared stories they had heard, and conveyed the enthusiastic feedback they received from elders. Though Price Schaffer is now a student at Stanford University, he is keeping this website available to inspire neighbors to get to know each other. We encourage those over age 18 to volunteer with Meals on Wheels, which has a program pairing volunteers with elders for phone calls (called "Friendly Chats").

People of all ages can connect with elders by volunteering to call for a friendly chat a couple of times a month. This provides a social connection that means a lot and is good for mental and physical health for both teens and elders. A Stanford study shows that such intergenerational interactions cultivate a sense of purpose in both generations and that social benefits extend both ways--with meaningful engagement, teens get friendship, knowledge, and mentoring and elders get a window into today’s youth, energy, and technology. A UK study found that elders have improved physical and psychological health when they have social interactions with young people, which may help extend their lives. Another study finds that there is great reciprocity with intergenerational connections--youth receive socialization of empathy, character, and undivided attention, while elders are inspired to move more, reach, socialize, and smile more. In summary, befriending an elder is scientifically proven to be excellent for community building, mental health, and socialization for all. Please consider reaching out to a neighbor!