For nearly a decade, the Age-Friendly Intergenerational Center has been creating opportunities for older adults in Corte Madera and Larkspur to stay active, connected and engaged. Now, the organization is preparing to enter a new chapter with a permanent home — and a renewed emphasis on bringing generations together.

The new Intergenerational Center will be located in the former Andy’s Market space at the Bell Mt. Tam apartment complex and is being renovated by the Town of Corte Madera. Once completed, it will provide a larger, permanent space where multiple activities can take place at the same time. 

The Larkspur Community Foundation is proud to announce a recent grant of $2,500  to support the center’s programming through the end of 2026. Funded by the Age-Friendly Solutions nonprofit, the center currently offers free classes and activities including fitness, watercolor and acrylic painting, bridge, mahjong, tai chi and a monthly book club. 

We spoke with Intergenerational Center administrator and former member of the Corte Madera Town Council and Planning Commission, Carla Condon, about the center’s origins, programming and what the permanent location will mean for local seniors.

Larkspur Community Foundation: How did Age-Friendly Solutions get started?

Carla Condon: It started in 2017, when I was a member of the Age-Friendly Corte Madera task force. I was researching the whole concept of intergenerational centers and became fascinated by it. At the time, it was relatively new here, although it was much more prevalent in the United Kingdom.

I watched a bunch of videos showing activities where seniors interacted with little kids. I also learned that intergenerational programming and its positive effects on older adults were being studied at places like Dartmouth and Stanford.

We developed our programs based on a survey of seniors in town. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have found the best instructors in their fields to lead those classes.  Planning ahead, I established Age-Friendly Solutions, a 501c3 nonprofit to fund the Intergenerational Center. The center opened in 2018 and we still have the majority of those teachers and participants who have been with us for more than eight years!

LCF: What happened during COVID?

Carla: We were faced with the question of what we were going to do with seniors who would become isolated. As a result of the pandemic, we moved as many classes as possible to Zoom.

Instead of shrinking, the programs actually grew. A woman asked if her daughter in Texas could join her for a class. Another daughter joined her mother online from France. A Novato resident painted along with her sister in Oklahoma.  Someone in Switzerland would tune in for an exercise class.

I didn’t want anybody to be excluded, so I said, “No charge. No memberships. Free to be a member,” and then I held my breath.

And lo and behold, grants and donations made it possible! We actually ended up collecting more through donations than we had through our previous program that charged a small annual membership fee.

LCF: Why is the new center exciting?

Carla: The town is creating a permanent space with an attractive interior, ADA bathroom, designated parking and room for multiple activities. I’m especially excited about the intergenerational possibilities. The location will be walkable from Redwood High School so that the afternoons can host teen programs and intergenerational activities. In fact, students from Redwood, Terra Linda and Branson are currently polling their fellow students about what kinds of programs they might be interested in having at the center.

There could be hands-on technology programs, such as 3D printing, where younger and older people can learn from one another. And teens could volunteer to assist seniors with electronics and social media.

LCF: What is most important to you as the town takes over the center?

Carla: One of my main goals is to keep the older adults connected and programs remain free.  We have been able to offer that to all participants, regardless of residence — though many participants are from Corte Madera, Larkspur and Greenbrae. 

It’s important to me that the center provides quality programming taught by instructors who are experienced in their fields — many of whom have been with us since we started the center! So I hope we can keep these professionals involved.

I also want to ensure that staffing is enthusiastic and dedicated to the center. And I will continue to work with the town to ensure that it is responsive to the needs and interests of the community.

We have also been able to offer programs taught by instructors are experienced in their fields — many of whom have been with us since we started the center! So I hope we can keep these professionals involved.

And after all these years, I’m really looking forward to seeing the center fully open in January — if not before!

 

Published September 2026