Lakeland University is known for its unique learning style that allows students to gain college credit through work experience. This program has allowed Lakeland to form strong partnerships with companies in the surrounding area, giving students the opportunity to work in a position that correlates with their degree aspirations.
One organization that has close ties to Lakeland is Generations: An Intergenerational Community in Plymouth, Wis. Generations has given many Lakeland students the ability to work for a nonprofit corporation and learn if it is the right place for them. Generations is an intergenerational center, which means that people of all ages are welcome and encouraged to be a part of the community.
Earlier this year, I was employed by Generations as a marketing intern to help revamp their marketing plan and make it more intriguing for younger audiences. As a Lakeland sophomore, this position has provided me with various learning experiences that I would never have had the opportunity to engage with so early in my academic career.
Throughout the time I have been employed, I have been responsible for recreating Generations’ website, brochures, flyers, corkboards and various other things. By far the most important and time-demanding task has been their website, which has been the same for many years and has become very outdated. To make it more interesting, I have gone through and adjusted the site to be more modern and consistent with their newer branding color palette, logos and other material like recent pictures and flyers for upcoming events.
Now, the website’s navigation bar is at the top of the screen, where information can be easily located by new site visitors. Because of this, the on-duty staff members are a lot less likely to come across someone confused by the site layout, and the company has seen improvement with engagement on the site.
People have also expressed delight and excitement when it comes to the updated brochures, flyers, and corkboards. While working, members will pass by and mention how happy they are for Generations to get an update. This makes working there so easy and fun, allowing me to learn in the best possible environment. I would suggest anyone at Lakeland apply to Generations when given the chance, as I have learned so much there in the last two months.
At Generations, our mission is to bring people of all ages together to cultivate an environment that supports individual and collective well-being. This is achieved through the programs, events, activities and clubs that Generations’ staff and members put together. There are also many volunteers that are the lifeblood of the center by providing support for everything that goes on.
Meghann Weeden, the chief operating officer, describes Generations’ environment in one word: welcoming. She mentions how “you will be hard pressed to walk the halls without getting a smile, a ‘good morning,’ or a kind word from someone.”
Two months into my internship, I cannot recall a day when I wasn’t greeted by a member while walking to my office at the beginning of the day. From the members to the staff, everyone takes such pride in what they are doing and is so grateful to be there. It is always a joy to enter Generations and take in the community that has been built within those walls.
Weeden believes that by being involved with the community, participants are able to find more similarities in one another than differences. “In a world that feels so divided on every little thing, it’s important to realize through community engagement we can all agree on the essential things [like] wanting what’s best for us, our family and our community.”
If more college students get involved with Generations’ community, everyone would benefit from new perspectives and get the chance to communicate with someone different from their community. Weeden also stated that “by integrating into the community, you make Plymouth and the surrounding area more than just the place you go to school; It becomes your home.”
Since beginning my internship at Generations, I have felt more connected to the community than ever before. I have learned so much about surrounding businesses, places of interest and the people in general. It truly has made Plymouth feel more like home and has given me a better sense of belonging, which I would suggest for anyone, especially college students that are struggling with being away from family.
There are many things to be a part of at Generations, whether that be attending an event once a month or joining in on an activity or club weekly. Annually, Generations hosts their Summer Concert Series which brings in hundreds of people. During this series, a concert will be hosted on Generations’ grounds once a month from June to September alongside a brat fry.
If outdoor events or concerts aren’t your style, Generations also hosts indoor events almost every day! These events include information discussions, fitness classes, games, movie nights, programs and many other activities. There is something for everyone to enjoy; it is just a matter of finding out when the events are held. To do this, you can find a calendar of events on their website under the “Get Involved” tab at www.generationsic.org.
Because Generations is a nonprofit organization, participation requires a membership fee to continue providing and maintaining their services and programs. If you are not a member, you may pay a per-day rate to participate in activities. The guest fee is only $5 for activities labeled Essential or $10 for Healthy Living activities. But, if you enjoy your time at Generations, they have a student discount if you are able to present a valid college identification card.
Generations also shares its roof with three other organizations including the Family Resource Center of Sheboygan County, Safe Harbor, the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Sheboygan County, and Growing Generations Child Care Center. Two of these organizations, Safe Harbor and the Aging and Disability Resource Center, are there to support people going through difficult situations in which they would need to reach out to others for help.
Safe Harbor provides services for people who have been affected by sexual assault and domestic abuse, as well as to help those who are going through a crisis. If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of domestic or sexual violence, please call 920-452-7640 or visit their suite in Generations’ building.
The Aging and Disability Resource Center’s mission is to empower and support seniors and people with disabilities. If you need information, advice or direction for any aging or disability needs, contact 920-467-4100 or visit their suite in Generations’ building.
For more information on Generations: An Intergenerational Community, visit their website at www.generationsic.org.
Vivian Kesler • Apr 20, 2026 at 1:57 pm
Well done, Samantha