Mary Steele

As a part of the Treehouse Intergenerational Community, I share my experience and talents in a many ways. I live in a multigenerational, planned neighborhood in Easthampton, Massachusetts where families who have adopted children, or families caring for foster children, live along with elders and support one another’s lives.

I give kids rides to school and take care of them after school or when parents need a break. I am like their grandmother as well as being a leader in the community. As part of this, I helped to start parent’s night out for foster and adoptive parents.

The impact of what I do is so powerful and yet it is hard to put into words because it is so deep. Letting children know that you love and trust them makes a miraculous difference in their attitudes and well-being. Their confidence grows when they trust you. When you see them becoming more trusting, you know you are having a big impact.

Today in America, nearly a half-million children experience foster care. One third will never return home, nor will they be adopted. Instead, they will spend their childhoods in foster care and at the age of 18 launch out into the world unprepared for life.

Treehouse in Massachusetts is a village where children find not just parents and a home, but also grandparents, playmates and an entire neighborhood designed to help them grow up in a secure and nurturing environment.

My volunteer work with children and youth has been a lifetime vocation, both professionally and simply as a volunteer. As a grandparent, I also raised my granddaughter, which heightened my awareness to the needs of kids and families. When I heard about the Treehouse Community, I knew it was a chance to continue what was important to me. I find it so rewarding. I created a Peace Team in the community that brings senior community members together to create a culture of peace. We planted a Peace Pole in the community to maintain our commitment to a culture of peace that is rededicated each year.

When we adults share our wisdom, which is developed through years of experience, I believe we can make a positive impact on future generations.

(Watch this video about the founder of Treehouse, Judy Cockerton, a 2012 Encore.org Purpose Prize winner.)