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About OurSharedFutures
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 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 OurSharedFutures 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: OurSharedFutures 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