Legacy Letters | The Goldsen Institute

Legacy Letters®

Legacy Letters is a free community program that offers participants opportunities to meet, connect, and share something meaningful with people from other generations.

Contact us

LegacyLetters@uw.edu

1-206-543-2449

Legacy Letters meets once a week for 90-minute sessions. Each of the 6 sessions includes games, paired & group discussions, and reflective writing. The activities provide opportunities to build connections and give all participants opportunities to share something meaningful within an intergenerational community.

Here are the three questions that guide the activities:

As you think of your life story, what would you like others to know about you?
What have been the most life changing times that have led to who you are today?
What words of wisdom or questions would you like to share with other generations?

Questions? Check out our FAQ to learn more:

Make lifelong intergenerational friendships and engage with your community! Click any of the calendar listings below for more details.

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Upcoming Sessions

No sessions currently scheduled. Check back regularly for updates!

Program Sessions

Legacy Letters meets once a week for 90 minutes. Each of the six sessions includes games, discussion, and reflective writing.

Community Reunions

Learn more about the program, meet the Legacy Letters community, and enjoy free food & group activities. Friends and family are welcome to attend.

Zoom Info Sessions

Interested in Legacy Letters but want to learn more? Join us every third Thursday! Past participants are also welcome to join and share testimonials.

Legacy Liason Volunteers

We welcome volunteers to help us spread the word about the program! Contact us for more information.

Program Updates

We are proud of how our program is growing, and excited to be adding new groups all the time:

During Fall 2022, we held our first LGBTQ+ pilot program at the University of Washington.
In the Spring of 2023, we offered our first LGBTQ+ program at a Seattle Public High School.
In the Fall of 2023, we will offer our first Dementia-Friendly Legacy Letters in partnership with The UW Memory Hub.

After almost two years of offering Legacy Letters, we are proud of the new intergenerational friendships that have formed in our program and continue to meet regularly for social activities, meeting our goal of reducing social isolation and loneliness. We have also welcomed many returning participants who wish to repeat the program, and friends of participants who have been referred to the program.

Everyone is welcome! Scroll up to check out our full program schedule.

In the News

Loneliness is an epidemic, can writing letters help?

Legacy Letters fights isolation with intergenerational connections

AgePRIDE on "measuring the magic" of generations united

"This is a really special program and I'm glad I got a chance to participate.”

“I love the program so much, it helps me to be willing to share stories and ideas with other people and understand my personal values... Thanks for creating this opportunity!"

“Meeting people from different cultures and different life experiences. I never write to myself and the experience was very powerful for me. An out loud self reflection lifted my spirit. Thank you for the snacks.”

“I liked learning from others, meeting people within my neighborhood/community I wouldn't otherwise interact with, and the letter I wrote which I wouldn't have otherwise written. It creates a much needed structure to connect to others and myself...100% recommend this program!”

“I love the program a lot! So meaningful and thank you again for creating this opportunity for everyone!”

“This is the highlight of my week. It is a judgement-free zone.”

“Being vulnerable in a safe place makes me feel empowered in who I am. We are much more alike than we are different (intergenerationally).”