Intergenerational relationships and partnerships in community programs: Purpose, practice, and directions for research

This article serves as an introduction to the special issue and to the emerging topic of intergenerational relationships and partnerships in community programs. Our aim is to offer a frame in which to consider theory and practice on the topic. Toward that end, we focus on the multiple purposes of intergenerational relationships, adult strategies for creating strong relationships, and the organizational supports necessary to support relationships and partnerships. This analysis highlights program examples from the 10 articles included in this volume. We conclude by identifying key issues that researchers may explore to further enhance our understainging of youth-adult relationships and partnerships. (C) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.