This event aligns wholeheartedly with BSU’s core value of promoting civic learning. Civic leadership is a type of learning that occurs when people develop the knowledge, skills and partnerships needed to solve community problems. This intergenerational community-building, learn-how-to-respond-positively-to-others event is quintessentially civic. And it’s quintessentially kind, too.
When people come together and share spaces, they strengthen their sense of community, which is why Bridgewater State University recently participated in Good Neighbor Day, a national observance aimed at combating loneliness and social isolation.
“One of the antidotes for loneliness is having opportunities to develop meaningful connections with others,” said Caroline Stanley, psychology professor and BSU psychology club advisor.
Last year, when Gov. Maura Healey officially declared Sept. 28 Massachusetts Good Neighbor Day, Stanley teamed up with Director of Professional, Corporate and Community Education Jennifer Reid to organize an event that aligned with the initiative’s goals.
Their idea was to connect traditional-aged students with members of BSU Senior College, bringing different generations together to learn from one another.
“Intergenerational activities help people connect with those who are different from themselves. It is perhaps for this reason that intergenerational interaction helps to combat age-related stereotypes,” Stanley said.
Last year on Good Neighbor Day, they offered an on-campus Community Scoops event that treated attendees to ice cream sundaes and provided an opportunity to decorate cards for people in need. The event’s success inspired Stanley and Reid to continue their focus on intergenerational collaboration.
This year, they came up with the idea of hosting a workshop focused on being a good neighbor online. The event was held Sept. 28 in BSU’s Dunn Conference Center, and dinner and dessert were included.
“A key objective for this year’s event was for older and younger generations to work together on activities addressing respectful dialogue and positive regard for others,” Stanley said.
Featured speaker Dr. Meghan McCoy, director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center, taught participants how to strengthen their digital communication skills, recognize and address harmful online behaviors, and foster healthier relationships online.
Stanley stressed that the way society communicates today revolves around email, texting and social media.
“Learning how to navigate these platforms with kindness and clarity is essential, both for ourselves and our communities,” she said.
Guests were also asked to bring new or gently used school supplies to support Maxwell Library’s School Supplies 4 U program, providing another way to be a “good neighbor.”
The Good Neighbor Workshop was sponsored by the Bartlett Endowed Professor for Civic Education and Engagement Fund, as well as the BSU Psychology Club, BSU Senior College and Bridgewater Senior Center.
“This event aligns wholeheartedly with BSU’s core value of promoting civic learning. Civic leadership is a type of learning that occurs when people develop the knowledge, skills and partnerships needed to solve community problems,” Stanley said. “This intergenerational community-building, learn-how-to-respond-positively-to-others event is quintessentially civic. And it’s quintessentially kind, too.”
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