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Ageism Stops With You Media Campaign
What is Ageism?
Ageism is unfair treatment based on age. It can mean dismissing younger people as inexperienced or labeling older people as less capable. Most people experience ageism at least twice in their lives, first when they are young and later as they grow older. It shows up in stereotypes, exclusion, and rules that limit people simply because of their age. Ageism is unique because it can affect people at multiple stages of life, both younger and older. It is often called the last socially accepted “ism.”
Ageism Stops With You Media Campaign
The Ageism Stops With You media campaign is NYC Aging’s new intergenerational campaign using print ads and video advertisements to spark dialogue across the city. It reminds both younger and older New Yorkers that age discrimination affects us all. The campaign encourages everyone to notice it, call it out, and reject it, because when we challenge ageism together, we create a fairer, more inclusive city for every generation.
Intergenerational Anti-Ageism Movement: It Starts with Education!
NYC Aging is working to empower students, the next generation of leaders, to recognize ageism, understand its impact on individuals and society, and become agents of change who foster inclusion. To support this effort, the agency launched the Anti-Ageism High School Resource Guide, a tool designed to spark dialogue and awareness among young people. The guide was piloted in 13 high school classrooms across South Brooklyn, giving students the opportunity to explore ageism, challenge stereotypes, and help build a more inclusive city for all generations. In 2025, the Resource Guide received a Programs of Merit distinction from Generations United. NYC Aging, NYC Department of Education, and New York Academy of Medicine have been awarded nearly $400,000 from Next50 to expand the Resource Guide. This initiative will teach more students about ageism, its societal impact, and ways to combat it, while expanding the guide’s use to additional schools and grade levels.
Anti-Ageism Movement: Building Community through NY Stories
NYC Aging has developed a network for community leadership, problem solving, and support that is grounded in multigenerational work and understanding. This intergenerational program brings together 100 participants across 13 co-located New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) sites that house both a NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Cornerstone program and an older adult center. Through storytelling, participants build meaningful connections across generations and work together to dismantle stereotypes. The program culminates in a collective celebration where participants share presentations and reflections on their experiences, highlighting the intergenerational relationships and accomplishments that have grown from this collaboration. In 2025, this program received a Programs of Merit designation from Generations United, recognizing NYC Aging’s leadership in advancing intergenerational connection.
Prevent Ageism Where You Work
To prevent age as people seek a promotion or a new job, NYC Aging has created an Employer Toolkit to help businesses create policies and procedures that can help reduce ageist biases in their practices. Some of the tips include identifying what biases there are already in the process, what kind of questions to ask, and not ask, candidates, and how to describe the position you are looking to fill. To learn more and speak with a representative from our Older Adult Workforce Program, call Aging Connect 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469).
