Participants in a recent National Comedy Center memory cafe are pictured.

The National Comedy Center has been named a Gold Winner in the fifth annual Anthem Awards for its One Laugh at a Time: A National Comedy Center Memory Cafe.

The monthly memory cafe programs support individuals living with memory loss and their caregivers. The Comedy Center earned Gold honors in the Education, Art & Culture category for Corporate Social Responsibility and Local Community Engagement. The fifth annual Anthem Awards received more than 2,000 submissions from 42 countries worldwide. Launched by The Webby Awards in 2021, the Anthem Awards is one of the world’s leading platforms celebrating social impact, cultural change, and community engagement.

The National Comedy Center – one of the most interactive museums in the country – introduced its Memory Cafe this past February, offering a monthly, supportive gathering for individuals living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other memory-related conditions, along with their caregivers, family members, and care partners. The program invites participants to explore immersive museum exhibits that celebrate comedy’s greatest legends and most memorable moments, creating meaningful opportunities for connection through shared experiences, familiar comedy, and the comfort of community.

“Born out of real stories of living with dementia, this program reminds us that laughter connects us when conversation has failed us. Comedy can be the tool providing crucial connection and respite, as important for caregivers as it is for their patients, and loved ones,” said Journey Gunderson, National Comedy Center executive director. “Being honored with two Gold Anthem Awards on a global stage affirms the importance of offering people a place where joy, laughter, connection, and relief are still possible.”

Participants and caregivers have expressed how meaningful the program has been from the very first gathering. Many share that the Memory Cafe has become a highlight of their month – an experience that feels uplifting, familiar, and emotionally grounding. Families describe moments of recognition sparked by beloved comedy, meaningful conversations that emerge in the museum’s interactive spaces, and the relief of being part of a community that truly understands the caregiving journey. Caregivers frequently note that the program feels restorative rather than clinical, offering both respite and genuine connection. This experience is supported by staff who have received specialized training to thoughtfully welcome and assist individuals living with memory loss and their care partners.

During each Memory Cafe, participants explore the museum’s interactive exhibits at their own pace, revisiting favorite moments from shows like I Love Lucy, The Carol Burnett Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Saturday Night Live, along with artists such as Johnny Carson, Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Betty White, Richard Pryor, Don Rickles, and The Smothers Brothers. These experiences spark conversation, evoke memories, and give caregivers a supportive space to exhale and recharge.

“These two Gold Anthem Awards validate that innovative cultural institutions can make a powerful impact in their communities,” said Rochelle Mole, Chief Operating Officer of the National Comedy Center. “The Memory Cafe has become a place where caregivers and families feel truly welcomed, supported, and understood – one gathering at a time.”

Winners of the Anthem Awards are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), whose judges include leaders from global organizations dedicated to social impact, arts, health, and community well-being.

The Center’s Memory Cafe program is made possible by Exhale – an initiative funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York.

The National Comedy Center will continue to host its free Memory Cafe on the first Monday of each month, with the next gathering taking place on Monday, Dec. 1, offering complimentary museum admission, time for exploration, refreshments, and a relaxed program designed to bring comfort and connection to individuals living with memory loss and to their caregivers and families. Reservations are encouraged; space is limited. Families who are unable to attend on the first Monday of the month may also contact the Comedy Center to explore arrangements for visiting with their loved ones at other times. More information is available at ComedyCenter.org/MemoryCafe.