Loneliness is something Karrington Harried can’t stop thinking about.
The 15-year-old Annapolis student has spent time reflecting on how isolation affects people of all ages, especially older adults, and got inspired to act.
Karrington is a Carnegie Young Leader and team lead of Moments that Matter, a youth-led project focused on strengthening connections between high school students and seniors living in retirement communities. The goal is to improve mental health and build intergenerational relationships.
Through the project, Annapolis-area students visit seniors, spend time with them, and listen to their stories. Both generations benefit. Older adults gain companionship, while students gain empathy and perspective.
“Each connection may look small—a game of cards, a shared story, a walk outside—but the impact is profound. These visits chip away at loneliness, strengthen mental health, and remind both generations that they matter and belong. As these relationships grow, our community will begin to look different—less isolation, more connected, and more consideration.”
-Karrington Harried
The work took on special meaning during Older Americans Month in May. Partnering with the Howard County Housing Commission, the Moments that Matter team and other student volunteers spent time with residents at a Maryland senior living facility, making terrariums and enjoying one another’s company.
It was a simple gesture. But for Karrington, that’s exactly the point.
Her project is built on the idea that small acts of kindness can be transformative. Everyone, she says, deserves to feel noticed, cared about, and not forgotten.
Hear more from Karrington on fighting loneliness in her community.
