Building Stronger Communities Through Communication

Cool, Comms, Collected (3Cs) was founded as a free, five-part intergenerational workshop series designed to empower participants with vital communication, leadership, and teamwork skills through experiential learning. Open to individuals from ages 10 to 100, the workshops provide an inclusive and engaging environment where community members interact across generational lines to develop emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and social responsibility. The series is facilitated by Stephanie Threinen, a certified communications professional with over 20 years of experience.

Generations United annually recognizes outstanding intergenerational programs that are connecting younger and older people in the United States.

Cool, Comms, Collected is proud to be recognized with a Program of Merit designation by the national non-profit, Generations United, representing the highest standards of intergenerational programs.

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FUN • ENGAGING • THOUGHT-PROVOKING

Upcoming Events

…breaking for summer 2026…

Contact us to schedule a workshop for your organization this coming fall!

Challenge, Accepted

Interacting with people outside your own generation can help break down preconceived notions and stereotypes associated with different age groups. This can help you become hyper-aware of your own presence and intentionally approach individuals with an open mind.

Latest Updates

  • Intra- vs Interpersonal Communication
    Communication is often discussed as if it were a single skill, but in reality it operates on multiple levels. Two of the most important—but often conflated—forms are intrapersonal communication and interpersonal communication. Understanding the difference between them, and learning how they shape one another, can fundamentally change how we relate to ourselves and to others. One of the most powerful ways to strengthen both is …
  • Rooted Together: What a Community Garden Can Teach Us About Earth Day and Each Other
    This Earth Day event reflection explores how a community planting event at the Lakeway MUD Demonstration Garden became more than a volunteer opportunity—it became a space for intergenerational connection, shared purpose, and meaningful conversation. Through gardening side by side, volunteers of all ages discovered that stewardship begins not with perfection or politics, but with awareness, communication, and small acts of care for the future we …
  • When Art Becomes a Bridge Between Generations and Cultures
    In the middle of a bustling gallery, filled with conversation and the quiet rhythm of footsteps, I watched a moment unfold that perfectly captured the heart of this year’s exhibition. An artist—also a grandmother—stood beside her painting, gently explaining it to her young granddaughter. She spoke about the meaning behind each brushstroke, about the traditions rooted in Chinese culture, and about the intention behind her …
  • 3rd Annual Mental Health Symposium Recap
    Held February 27, 2026 in Lakeway, Texas, Stephanie Threinen, founder of Cool, Comms, Collected was invited as an attendee and presenter of “Active Listening is a Superpower” at the third annual Mental Health Symposium hosted by the Engage and Heal Foundation, a local mental health advocacy non-profit. Both energizing and deeply meaningful from the moment participants arrived for a light breakfast and conversation, there was …
More Updates

FOLLOW US! LET’S CONNECT.

March 2024 😞 “Collect moments not things”! We just completed our road trip half way across the country and back. Visited 3 states in 4 days: first stop Clemson, SC for Corbin’s graduation! Then a quick stop for an intro meeting at Ponce City Market in Atlanta, GA (#ifyouknowyouknow), then we spend a day in New Orleans, LA. Finally, of course no trip is complete without a stop at a Buc-ee's! Big thanks to my mom for watching the doggies for us while we were gone! We appreciate you following along this week as we highlighted efforts from Generations United, Generations Working Together, and The Eisner Foundation to promote intergenerational programing. We believe interacting with people outside your own generation can help break down preconceived notions and stereotypes associated with different age groups. This can help you become hyper-aware of your own presence and intentionally approach individuals with an open mind. #GIW26 Day 7 (LAST DAY!): Let’s improve intergenerational quality and sustainability #GIW26, Bringing generations together isn't just a nice thing to do, it's an exciting thing to do in order to reconnect our communities and tackle the challenges we all face. What's your favorite moment connecting with someone outside your generation? Day 6: Let’s develop intergenerational workplaces #GIW26, Sponsored by Bayer - How can intergenerational collaboration improve the workplace? How have you helped to foster this at your own organization or school? We’re proud of how we bring together older and younger people for mutual, lasting benefit. That’s why we’re celebrating Global Intergenerational Week all week long! How have you benefited from intergenerational connections? https://www.gu.org/projects/giw/ #GIW26 Day 4: Let’s create intergenerational spaces and communities #GIW26 Where in your community is a space designed to facilitate intergenerational practices and allow relationships to grow? In our community, we love our local libraries! Day 3: Let’s challenge social isolation and loneliness #GIW26 Intergenerational connection can be a great way to fight loneliness and isolation. Have you connected with someone outside of your generation recently? Day 2: Let’s challenge ageism #GIW26 How do you think intergenerational communication can be used to overcome negative age-related stereotypes and stigma?