History

The Across Ages Program has a rich, deeply impactful background rooted in Philadelphia and backed by decades of research.

Origins and Founder

  • The Creator: The Across Ages initiative was originally developed in 1991 by Dr. Andrea S. Taylor through the Intergenerational Center at Temple University (originally launched as a demonstration research project funded by SAMHSA).
  • The Purpose: Dr. Taylor designed the program to combat high-risk behaviors, poor school attendance, and lack of positive role models among at-risk youth by building bridges between generations.

The Organization Today (NOWSI)

  • The Current Operator: The program is Across Ages Program Incorporated in collaboration with the Natural Organized Woman Society Incorporated (NOWSI), a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) community organization.
  • Leadership & Team: NOWSI is led by its executive team, President Elizabeth “Liz” Taylor and Wanda Logan.
  • Broader Mission Alignment: Under the Across Ages Program, and NOWSI pairs adolescent girls (typically ages 9 to 18) with older adult mentors (often women ages 50 and older). This mentorship connects seamlessly with NOWSI’s broader community initiatives, which include health and wellness education (such as cardiovascular health and CPR training), STEM education, and recreational development (like their golf driving range hub in Philadelphia).

Core Program Components

Across Ages is an evidence-based model built around four main pillars:

  • Intergenerational Mentoring: Pairing youth with older, trusted adult mentors to provide wisdom, emotional support, and steady guidance.
  • Life Skills & Problem-Solving: Structured curricula focusing on goal-setting, resilience, academic performance, and decision-making.
  • Community Service: Encouraging youth participants to give back to their communities, fostering purpose and self-sufficiency.
  • Family Engagement: Hosting monthly activities that involve family members to reinforce a strong support network at home.

Proven Impact

Evaluated extensively over the years, the program has been recognized for producing measurable positive outcomes, including:

  • Significantly improved school attendance and fewer unexcused absences.
  • Better student attitudes toward school, future goals, and elders.
  • Enhanced resilience against high-risk behaviors, substance use, and negative peer pressures.