Teens for Elders was founded by Oliver Gold, a junior from Roslyn, New York, who was inspired to start the initiative after regularly visiting his grandfather in a nursing home. During those visits, Oliver noticed that many of the other residents rarely had visitors and often spent their days alone. He saw firsthand how even a short conversation or shared activity could completely brighten someone’s day. Moved by the need for connection and community, Oliver created Teens for Elders to bring joy, companionship, and a sense of belonging to seniors in local nursing homes.

Our organization is rooted in the belief that meaningful interactions between generations can change lives. Teen volunteers spend time with elderly residents through weekly visits, engaging in conversations, playing games, reading, or simply offering a listening ear. These simple moments help reduce loneliness and offer emotional support to seniors, while also giving teens the chance to learn from the life experiences and wisdom of older generations.

Teens for Elders strives to bridge the generational gap by fostering respect, empathy, and understanding between youth and elders. We believe that by spending time together, both groups gain something valuable—seniors feel seen and appreciated, and teens develop compassion and perspective beyond their years.

Since its founding, the initiative has continued to grow, welcoming student volunteers from neighboring schools and expanding to more nursing homes. With every visit, Oliver and the Teens for Elders team work toward a more connected and caring community, one relationship at a time.