For All Ages, Inc.

Through the intergenerational Tea @ 3 Community by For All Ages, community members of all ages enjoy tea daily Monday through Friday at 3:00 pm and connect virtually with their Tea-Mate once a week.

Upon registering for the program, Tea @ 3 participants receive a welcome kit comprised of a handmade tea mug cozy along with a start-up supply of tea, information about the program, conversation starters, and ideas for social engagement on the days when they are not connecting with their Tea-Mate. Separately, participants receive an email with their intergenerational Tea-Mate’s contact information after they have been matched.

The Tea @ 3 program provides multiple benefits to community members.
(1) This program engages primarily older adult volunteers in crocheting tea mug cozies that are given to program participants. The act of crocheting to help others provides adults with a sense of purpose, thereby improving their health and well-being.
(2) Program participants receive the many mental and physical benefits of drinking tea which are documented in numerous scientific studies. These benefits include
a. Reducing anxiety and improving mood (via the amino acid L-theanine);
b. Reducing the risk of cognitive decline in older adults by 50%; and
c. Preventing cardiovascular disease and increasing lifespan (via polyphenols, a compound found in both black and green tea).
(3) Program participants find comfort in knowing that they are part of community of people who are all sitting down and enjoying tea at the same time. This helps to reduce feelings of loneliness due to social isolation and improve their sense of belonging.
(4) The weekly intergenerational virtual connection between Tea-Mates provides the opportunity for simple conversation, increases each participant’s social support network, and helps to reduce loneliness and other mental health impacts of isolation.
(5) On the days when participants enjoy tea without connection to their Tea-Mate, they are encouraged to make this a social time during which they call or write a note to a friend, seek out more regular connections with members of their broader social network, or search for volunteer opportunities that may bring them pleasure.