Library hosts intergenerational conversation

Sunset Park Library hosted “Creating Our Legacy: An Intergenerational Conversation” on Nov. 15. The gathering focused on building dialogue between generations and highlighting the importance of connection and shared experience within the community.

The event was organized by the Library Newsroom Project and the Sunset Park Sun, as part of an effort to bring residents together to shape local conversations, share stories, and co-create programming.

The conversation was led by host Rozette De Castro, a member of the Sunset Park Sun editorial working group, who guided participants through activities designed to explore these themes.

The meeting began with an icebreaker: “What values do you want to see more in our world?” Some attendees mentioned community building, transparency, and honesty. Others highlighted respect and inclusivity. The exercise underscored how many of the voices that matter are often overlooked in traditional approaches to community building.

De Castro reminded attendees that events like this help bridge generational perspectives, encourage collaboration, and inspire a shared sense of purpose. By fostering relationships and understanding, she said, communities can create a lasting legacy built on unity, care, and collective growth.

“I briefly worked in policy, and in that world you’re often tied to a specific set of roles and expectations,” De Castro said. “But being in these third spaces really expands your mindset. It reminds you that you have so much more to offer beyond policy, that at the end of the day, the work is really about people.”

“Creating Our Legacy” brought together younger and older generations to share experiences, foster understanding, and strengthen community ties. The session unfolded in three parts: introspection, active listening, and community building.

“Spaces like this give people a chance to slow down, connect, and really see each other,” said Colleen Cass, 33, a Windsor Terrace resident of eight years. “We don’t always get that in our day-to-day routines, so having a space devoted to conversation makes a difference.”

Marisol Hernández, 58, a longtime Sunset Park resident, said the introspective portion reminded her how rarely people pause to reflect in community spaces.

“Sometimes we forget that community isn’t just about living next to each other,” Hernández said. “It’s also about understanding why we show up and what we hope to build together.”

Participants exchanged personal stories and reflections on what community means across generations.

Donna Chu, 26, a friend of De Castro, emphasized that new perspectives matter now more than ever. “I want more spaces like these to exist,” Chu said. “They help us understand each other in ways we don’t get in our everyday routines.”

As the community-building segment closed, Rozette and attendees created a tangible web of connection, using yarn to symbolize the bonds forming between participants.

Before the final activity, attendees reflected on the question: “What words of affirmation do you want to leave behind in your community?”

Symone, 62, who recently moved back to Brooklyn and previously worked as a librarian, set the tone by emphasizing encouragement, connection, and positivity as essential pieces of community life.

“I want to leave behind words that make people feel seen, supported, and valued, so everyone knows they belong,” said Symone.

As each person added their affirmations, the web expanded, weaving new voices and stories into a living representation of unity and collaboration. The activity highlighted how relationships grow through listening, sharing, and the simple act of showing up for one another.

To learn more about the Library Newsroom Project and the Sunset Park Sun, or to share ideas for future programming, readers can email hello@librarynewsroom.org.