InterAge at LLI Chesterfield
LLI Chesterfield offers an InterAge program that includes courses, volunteer opportunities, and more! InterAge celebrates the power of connection across the lifespan. It’s about bringing people of all ages together to share wisdom, spark new ideas, and strengthen community bonds. By fostering relationships that bridge age divides, InterAge helps create a culture of belonging, purpose, and growth. LLI appointed E. Ayn Welleford, PhD, as their first InterAge Director and held their first round of InterAge courses in Summer 2025. Anna Buxmann is pursing a Masters in Gerontology and is the InterAge Intern at LLI.
InterAge Courses - Spring 2026
These course are free and open to the public. All ages are welcome! Please register using the button at the bottom of the page. Thank you!
HW261517
Play for Child Development
Tuesday
2:00-3:30
January 20, 27
Instructor(s): Dr. Audrey Kane and Dr. Ayn Welleford
This course will provide another opportunity for LLI students to engage with VCU Occupational Therapy (OT) students as they learn about child development. Science shows that 90% of brain growth happens by age five! Young brains develop like little muscles, and children are active learners. They use information gathered through their own observations and interactions with persons and objects to deepen their understanding of the world. This course will provide information and a playgroup for students with grandchildren or young friends, from birth to five years old. Adults and children will participate in fun activities designed to promote development. Each class will review basic development of a specific age and introduce play activities that can support the child’s development at that age. Students can attend one or both of the sessions with or without a grandchild/child. Only adults need to register.
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EF261140
What Kids Need to Know
Friday
2:00-3:30
February 13
Instructor: James E. Davidson, Jr., CFP®
Many people fail to prepare adequately for life’s major events, emergencies, and inevitable ending, creating chaos for loved ones and conflict among beneficiaries. This course will present best practices, action steps, and resources available to improve preparedness and legacy preservation. Ultimately, the goal is to help ensure the people trusted with handling financial affairs have what they need to do so. This course will also give students an opportunity to share their favorite podcasts. This will be a unique interAge opportunity, as students will be encouraged to invite their adult children to attend. Students of all ages from the community will also be invited to attend and participate.
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CO261235
Podcasts for All
Thursday
11:00-12:30
February 19
Instructor(s): Rachel and Lucas Ramirez
There are countless entertainment sources these days. While screentime is the most popular, research shows that it is not the most beneficial. Enter podcasts. Podcasts are an excellent alternative to screentime and have become more popular in recent years with wonderful options from bedtime stories to news, science- and nature-themed shows to hobbies and everything in between. This course will give students insight into the benefits of podcasts for children and adults as well as provide a list of recommendations. Lucas will share his favorite podcasts for kids, such as The Cat in the Hat Cast, Silly Stories for Kids, Gardenkeeper Gus, and Nature Nerds. A few all-age podcasts will be shared with discretion recommended, such as History Daily and Real Survival Stories. This course will also give students an opportunity to share their favorite podcasts. This will be a unique interAge opportunity, as students of all ages from the community will be invited to attend and participate.
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HW261519
Intergenerational Relationships (Online)
Wednesday
11:00-12:30
February 22
Instructor(s): Dale Atkins
This course will explore how intergenerational relationships can strengthen mental health and emotional well-being. Students will learn from renowned psychologist Dale Atkins, who will discuss ways grandparents and parents can enhance connections across generations. The course will highlight how supportive bonds foster resilience, reduce stress, and promote inclusion. Students will also gain insight into the role of storytelling and shared experiences in building meaningful relationships that contribute to balanced, healthy lives. Dale is the author of eight books, and her latest is her first children’s book, “The Turquoise Butterfly”. The story focuses on how intergenerational relationships can offer a supportive role for mental health by following a grandmother and granddaughter bond. This course will be a unique interAge opportunity, as students of all ages from the community will be invited to attend and participate in the conversation.
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HS261764
Reflections: A Time for Recognition A
Friday
February 27
10:00-11:00
Instructor(s): Audrey Ross
Please register for only one session (A or B) to allow all students a chance to participate. Join historian and community leader Audrey Ross for a thoughtful exploration of African American heritage in Chesterfield and Midlothian. Drawing on her lifelong dedication to public health, education, and local history, Audrey will highlight stories of resilience, achievement, and recognition that continue to shape our community. This course will invite students to reflect on the past while honoring contributions that deserve acknowledgment today. This will be a unique Black History Month and interAge opportunity, as students of all ages from the community will be invited to attend and participate.
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HS261765
Reflections: A Time for Recognition B
Friday
February 27
1:00-2:00
Instructor(s): Audrey Ross
Please register for only one session (A or B) to allow all students a chance to participate. Join historian and community leader Audrey Ross for a thoughtful exploration of African American heritage in Chesterfield and Midlothian. Drawing on her lifelong dedication to public health, education, and local history, Audrey will highlight stories of resilience, achievement, and recognition that continue to shape our community. This course will invite students to reflect on the past while honoring contributions that deserve acknowledgment today. This will be a unique Black History Month and interAge opportunity, as students of all ages from the community will be invited to attend and participate.
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EL261108
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Friday
1:00-3:00
March 27
Instructor(s): Rachel and Lucas Ramirez
Charlie Mackesy began sharing conversations between the boy, the mole, the fox, and the horse on his social media channels in early 2018. He published “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” in late 2019, and the book has since brought comfort and joy to over seven million readers worldwide. In 2022, the short film adaptation of the book was released on AppleTV+ alongside a companion edition of the book: “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse: The Animated Story.” This course will offer an opportunity for students to view the short film and discuss the book about the characters' journey together and the boy’s search for home. This quote from the author says it all, “I hope this book gives you courage and makes you feel loved. Love, Charlie x” This course will be a unique interAge opportunity, as students of all ages from the community will be invited to attend and participate.