Imagine a place where belly dancing, pool parties, and afternoon painting sessions fill the calendar. That’s GenSpace — a groundbreaking senior center in Los Angeles that’s giving older adults a new reason to look forward to every day.
This vibrant hub is the brainchild of 85-year-old Wallis Annenberg, who wanted to combat the loneliness that often comes with aging. “It’s just wrong that old age has become a time of social isolation,” the Annenberg Foundation CEO shared with NPR. “I want to work to change that.”
Located in LA’s culturally rich Koreatown, GenSpace is more than a center — it’s a community. Nestled on the campus of a synagogue that also houses a school, it fosters cross-generational and cross-cultural connections, making it as diverse as its neighborhood.
What’s inside?
- A library for book lovers.
- A horticulture room to nurture green thumbs.
- A tech bar to bridge the digital gap.
And let’s not forget the workshops, fitness classes, and creative programs designed to keep everyone active, engaged, and smiling.
For members like Lorraine Morland, 68, it’s been a game-changer: “If you can just step into a place and have so much fun at our age, it’s a wonderful thing. You’d think we’re teenagers again!”
GenSpace is proving that growing older doesn’t have to mean slowing down — it can be a time to learn, connect, and thrive.
Want to see what all the buzz is about? Learn more about Wallis Annenberg’s vision and GenSpace here.
PS: Who says pool parties are just for the kids? 😉
