Our Story
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Youth Against Boredom was founded on the belief that everybody deserves opportunities to create and connect regardless of age. Activities that allow older adults to engage with art, music, or movement can serve as enriching experiences and ones that offer leisure, engagement, and community. We set out to provide free opportunities for older adults.
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New York City is home to thousands of young artists who are eager to use their creativity to make a difference. At the same time, many older adults experience loneliness and have fewer opportunities to participate in engaging creative activities.
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We created Youth Against Boredom to bring these two communities together. By connecting passionate young volunteers with senior living organizations, we provide adaptive art, music, and movement programs that promote creativity and connection.
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Every class is designed to celebrate individual abilities and create moments of joy. Whether residents are painting, enjoying live music, or participating in gentle movement activities, our goal is to connect people through engagement with the arts.
At Youth Against Boredom, our classes are designed for all levels of ability. Volunteers accommodate the needs of each resident, ensuring that everyone can participate in a way that feels meaningful and enjoyable.
For art classes, coloring, painting, and texture-based projects are available for all participants.
More advanced options, such as watercolor painting, collages, mixed-media artwork, and larger creative pieces, are also available for those who choose them. Youth volunteers may also perform songs selected based on residents' interests, engaging participants through music. Movement classes include light stretching, gentle yoga, meditation, and other adaptable activities. Programming is always subject to modification to meet residents' individual needs.
Our Programs
Research has shown that creative and social engagement can play an important role in supporting the well-being of older adults, particularly those living with dementia. Activities involving the arts can encourage communication, stimulate memories, support emotional expression, and provide opportunities for connection.
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Dementia can affect memory, language, and daily functioning, but it does not diminish a person’s ability to be creative. Evidence suggests that music and creative activities can activate brain regions involved in memory and emotion, helping individuals engage with their environment.
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Social isolation is also a significant concern among older adults and has been associated with negative health outcomes. By creating welcoming spaces for interaction and self-expression, Youth Against Boredom helps to combat this isolation.
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New York City is home to thousands of young artists who are eager to use their creativity to make a difference. At the same time, many older adults experience loneliness and have fewer opportunities to participate in engaging creative activities. We created Youth Against Boredom to bring these two communities together. By connecting passionate young volunteers with senior living organizations, we provide adaptive art, music, and movement programs that promote creativity and connection.
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