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About SharedFutures
Empathy transcends generational gaps. Why wait to share our experiences, knowledge, and understanding across all ages, races, and backgrounds? While Shared Futures’ efforts won’t bridge all generational knowledge/understanding gaps between youth and elders, we hope to provide opportunities for our caretakers, give a voice for us to share, and spread a shared love of genuine connection.
Origin Story: How SharedFutures Began
01
Vision
After our founder, Richard Xu, witnessed the isolation faced by families all over the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, an idea sparked: re-establishing deeply personal connections between youth & elders
02
Inspiration
We recognized that combining youth energy with elder wisdom could create profound and symbiotic connections.
03
Launch
Our launch began in early 2021, distributing get-well cards to seniors. We have since grown to 260+ youth problem-solvers serving over 15,000 seniors, with 6 self started initiatives in 11 countries.
Timeline: SharedFutures Milestones
From 2021 to Today, we're looking forward to continuing our efforts
1
2021
  • Jan 14: Launched an online blog focused on COVID & Global Crisis + Events
  • March: Designed & Published V1 of our Website
  • April-Dec: Expanded outreach efforts (ex: featuring youth volunteers)
2
2023
  • February: Included other language services to prepare for international launch
  • May: Expanded our get-well card initiative across 2 countries (UK, China)
  • December: Milestone: Fulfilled over 50 individual requests for get-well cards
3
2024
  • February: Expanded get-well card initiative across 3 countries (Brazil, India)
  • June: Piloted K-8 educational plans
  • August: Held educational workshops online & in-person, raised awareness through word-of-mouth and messaging platforms
  • August: Milestone: Built a community of multi-hundred dedicated youth volunteers! (across all initiatives)
  • Sept-Dec: Expand workshop program → held to cohorts of 20 students
4
2025
  • Jan-March: Create more tailored online resources available on web
  • Feb: Launch partnerships w/ 2 youth-led music therapy organizations to hold performances at senior homes
  • May 25: Milestone: Reached multi-thousands through get-well card designed by youth for the elderly!
  • July 17: Officially developed online e-library, accessible worldwide for the elderly in hospices for a daily dose of joy (readers reached in Nepal, France, UK, Ireland, etc.)
  • July-Sept: Expand music therapy initiative externally w/ small partner orgs. abroad (eg: folk-music sing-alongs, music performance cont., holiday/celebration recordings)
  • August: End of workshop programs; shift resources → Fully accessible e-library for hospices & senior care centersdin