Dunedin Named Top Intergenerational Community

Dunedin has been selected to receive one of four MetLife Foundation/Generations United America’s Best Intergenerational Communities Awards.

According to a MetLife news release, the awards are designed to heighten awareness of the importance intergenerational solidarity plays in building strong, supportive communities.

“We congratulate the city of Dunedin for earning this designation. It takes a great deal of effort and forward thinking to create a community where members of every generation want to live,” said Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United in a news release. “The city of Dunedin has worked to ensure its residents enjoy a vibrant, meaningful place to live, are treated with respect and caring, and have ample opportunity to work together for the betterment of all.”

“MetLife Foundation understands the value of programs that encourage generations to work together for the benefit of the entire community,” explained Dennis White, president and chief executive officer, MetLife Foundation. “Communities that care for and engage all members – regardless of age – deepen bonds between the generations and set an important example for other communities to follow. We applaud the four communities selected to receive the 2013 Best Intergenerational Communities Award.”

The other award recipients are the communities of: Montgomery County, Maryland; Itta Bena, Mississippi; and Westchester County, New York. Two other communities were named finalists: Chanute, Kansas and Proctor, Minnesota.

A blue-ribbon panel of judges selected the winning entries from among a host of applicants from across the country, a news release said. Robert Blancato, former executive director of the White House Conference on Aging and a partner in Matz, Blancato & Associates, served as a judge in the selection process. 

“It is said you can live anywhere, but that does not make it a livable community," Blancato said in a news release. "These awards signify that a critical component of a livable community is one that fosters an environment where generations live and work together. ”

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