This story was produced under The LA Local’s Youth Journalism Program. To learn more or to get involved, click here.
Every Thursday morning, the seniors at the Bresee Foundation in Koreatown gather for coffee to catch up, turning the casual get-together into a meaningful way to stay connected with their community.
More importantly, they’re building new friendships and learning new life skills.
The nonprofit resource center and community hub hosts the intergenerational program, with the aim to bridge the gap between generations and improve quality of life for older adults.
Building relationships with youth also gives older adults a greater sense of purpose and connection with others. Gladys Melendez, 75, who has been participating in the program, was encouraged by her daughter and granddaughter to join the weekly meetings.
“When I had my dog, they kept telling me and telling me to go, I never went. And then he died on me, and I felt alone. Then I listened to my daughter and told myself I would go.”
Since then, she said the program has helped her become more active and social.
“Before, I would stay at home just watching TV, but now it has helped me in every way,” said Melendez.
As isolation among older adults rises, the National Institute on Aging has linked health risks like depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Through activities like technology training, field trips, financial literacy, coffee with friends, health and wellness, and community events, seniors are able to reconnect with others and build a stronger sense of belonging.
Romelly Rivera, 30, has coordinated the program for three years and has seen its impact on older adults as a space where they can gather, feel safe, and avoid any type of harmful habits later in life.
When Melendez arrived in the program, she appeared sad, Rivera said.
“She felt like she didn’t know anybody. She was too scared and intimidated to come.” But after attending the Thursday meetings, Rivera saw Melendez become closer and build connections with the other participants.
“Now she tells me that she looks forward to Thursdays every week and she’ll participate in more programs, ” said Rivera.
When new participants first join, they are often shy and hesitant.
“They feel a little scared because they don’t know anybody else, or they’ll share that they haven’t been out in a long time, ” said Rivera.
Program leaders say these feelings quickly begin to shift. Members are especially welcoming, often taking the initiative to include newcomers.
“They’ll introduce themselves or if the person looks like they’re a little shy, or they don’t know where to sit, someone thankfully is always really kind and tells them to join their table or pull up a chair,” Rivera said.
If anyone goes unnoticed, Rivera and other members step in to connect them with more outgoing groups, helping them feel comfortable, included, and excited to be there.
Many participants also encourage their friends to join, which is how Melendez and her friend Gisela Carrasco, 70, ended up in “Generation 2,” a summer program that brings high school youth and seniors together through technology.
From June to July, participants meet twice a week at Bresee for coffee, snacks and icebreakers before moving into lessons with their student mentors, learning how to use their devices and navigate the digital world.
Carrasco described the experience as something special.
“As older people, we usually stay at home, but when we go there, we talk with people our age and even younger people because they also have programs where we reunite older adults and youth, so it’s very good for us,” Carrasco said.
She also found joy in learning new skills. “The best part was learning about computers… the young people had a lot of patience helping us.”
One meaningful moment for her was being able to send a text message independently to her grandson in Mexico. Though she struggled to remember certain instructions, she continued to push herself to learn.
Through the program, many have formed friendships that extend beyond the weekly meetings, driving each other to Bresee each week to pick up the warm meals and groceries the foundation provides.
Like any program where a student finds it rewarding, elders often wish they had more time together.
Rivera recalls participants asking to stay when activities end early, “‘We can stay here, right? Our time is until 12.'”
The Bresee Foundation accepts older adults over 55 years old who want to join at 184 S. Bimini Place, Los Angeles, CA 90004, or call (213) 387-2822 for their Intergenerational Program.