The Wallis Annenberg GenSpace will serve as a community gathering place for older adults. (photo courtesy of Wallis Annenberg GenSpace)

In early 2022, Annenberg Foundation will celebrate the grand opening of its newest groundbreaking venture, the Wallis Annenberg GenSpace.

GenSpace is an innovative community space for older adults located in Koreatown on the Wilshire Boulevard Temple campus.

The personal vision of philanthropist and founder Wallis Annenberg, GenSpace seeks to enrich and expand the lives of older adults through connection, classes, partnerships and events.

“If I were alone in my home with absolutely no support system around me, GenSpace is exactly what I would like to find – a place where I could go and see other people in my age range, a place where I could make connections to the world,” Wallis Annenberg, chair, CEO and president of the Annenberg Foundation said. “So many older people are prisoners of isolation and loneliness. GenSpace will provide the opposite of that feeling, because the opposite of loneliness is connection and engagement.”

With goals to reduce social isolation, create an inclusive and welcoming space where older adults can thrive, inspire wellness, creativity, tech exploration, financial security, curiosity, and imagination, and disrupt negative stereotypes about aging, GenSpace will serve as a pioneer in better understanding what diverse older populations want and need.

According to Medicine Encyclopedia, “between 10 to 20% of elderly adults in this country currently attend senior centers at least once a year,” and senior center participants are proven to have higher levels of health, social interaction and life satisfaction when compared with their peers.

By 2034, the United States is expected to enter a demographic shift where adults 65 and older outnumber children in population.

“The U.S. population is aging. And a better, more inclusive future for us all depends on reframing the way we think about aging and creating spaces for older adults to thrive,” GenSpace director Jennifer Wong said.

“As Wallis’ vision inspires us, GenSpace is excited to provide an age-friendly community space for older adults with both familiar and innovative programing through partnerships with incredible instructors. We look forward to hosting older Angelenos in the space and older adults everywhere online. This pandemic has highlighted the need for engaging, robust senior centers, now more than ever before. GenSpace’s programs and special offerings are based on extensive research findings from focus groups of diverse older adults, and are designed to meet the needs of older Angelenos.”

Opening as part of the new Audrey Irmas Pavilion, GenSpace programming includes horticultural therapy, a technology lending library and tech support classes, financial literacy classes, yoga and fitness workshops, opportunities to create storytelling and art, and intergenerational programs.

Programs, classes and events are available now online and will be held in person starting on Jan. 10.

For information, visit annenberggenspace.org.