“We’re hoping to engage millions of people in trying to not just leave a legacy but live one through improving the prospects of the next generation and, in the process, to become role models for that next generation as they grow older [so they] continue to give back and invest in the future.” – Marc Freedman, Encore.org founder and CEO

Research shows that one in three people grow up without a mentor and that there was a significant difference in drug use, school truancy, and violent behavior as a result.

Encore.org‘s new campaign, Generation to Generation, aims to bring back the very old idea that older people are a key resource for the next generation. Through this campaign, elders will discover how they can best utilize their knowledge and skills to benefit kids and their community as mentors.

Generation to Generation also aims to mobilize retirees in fields such as science and technology to help young people get a foothold in the labor market.

“It’s not what you know, but who you know, and I think these mentors can be connectors to opportunities,” says Freedman.

By channeling this great pool of talent into existing programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs, Playworks and Jump Start they look to help them do what they do best but on a larger scale.