Intergenerational Program Database

Lifesongs is a life-affirming, intergenerational arts program that engages local communities to heal the fear that shrouds aging, illness, and death. Through deep relationship-building, storytelling, music, and performance, Lifesongs promotes dignity and inclusion for elders and those at the end of life. The Story Gathering project brings youth, community members, and elders together to share stories and life experiences. Participants collaboratively shape stories into new works of writing and art to present to the wider community. Keyword: Shared Site

At BIC we believe in the individuality of every person. We believe in nurturing the unique gifts of all. We believe in providing a program that meets the individual needs of every person we serve to the best of our ability. BIC believes in providing a sense of safety, security and order, physical comfort, enjoyment, meaningful activity, relationships, functional competence, dignity, privacy, individuality, autonomy and choice, and spiritual well-being for our friends. Our elder friends always have the choice about whether they participate. Participation and relationship building are highly encouraged. BIC believes in providing children the opportunity to make choices about what, how and with whom they want to play. This approach enables children to initiate and direct their own play with the support of interested and responsive adults. We believe that children learn through play, children construct their own knowledge from their experiences and interactions with the world around them. Teachers foster children's growth and development by building on children's interests, needs and strengths within a safe and caring environment. An intergenerational session ensures that a child can choose from a variety of activities. The teachers need to support the child in their choice and encourage their interactions. Keyword: Shared Site

WovenLife’s mission is to empower children and adults of all ages and abilities to find hope and independence through compassionate care, education, and support. WovenLife has an on-site Child Development Program for children ages birth through five-years, an Adult Day Center, and speech and occupational therapy. All programs are offered to those living with and without a disability. In our inter-generational program, our children and adults participate in daily activities like art lessons, play time, story time with the community library, picnics in the park, holiday celebrations, and so much more.

Parkinson’s Sidekicks is an intergenerational program that brings together youth and people with Parkinson’s to share their stories in fun and creative ways that promote mutual understanding and foster connections. In four highly interactive sessions, Sidekicks offers a variety of opportunities for creative expression that help participants learn new things and gain insights into one another’s experiences. The goal of Parkinson’s Sidekicks is to foster positive, meaningful connections between youth and people with Parkinson’s. The program provides an opportunity for people with Parkinson’s to open themselves up to a unique experience to connect with the community. Youth participants in Sidekicks also have a lot to gain; an understanding about Parkinson’s, learning ways to practice a positive mindset and to understand people with different experiences than their own – including those with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s.

Fit-2-Serves mission to be a catalyst for change in our community of Mattoon, IL. We have many Community Bridges programs to help us succeed in our mission. Our intergenerational program is called Generation-2-Generation. We are connecting over 500 kindergarten and 3rd-grade students with residents at 7 different senior living centers in Mattoon, IL.

Kindermusik class with toddlers and the day residents of ElderCenter of Statesville in the adult day care facility.

COOL Preschool is a portable quality preschool experience which takes place in care centers and senior living centers where senior friends can assist.

Our Child Care Center is structured for daily exploration and Intergenerational interactions with residents living on Episcopal Homes' campus. Kinder Village is a Child Care center located in the heart of St. Paul. Keyword: Shared Site

Grand Family Camp is Harmony Family Center’s therapeutic pilot program for grandparents raising their grandchildren. In Tennessee an opiate addiction epidemic has led to child abuse/neglect and family dysfunction. As a result, more grandparents are stepping in to prevent their grandchildren from entering foster care; most are unprepared for the challenge of parenting children who have suffered trauma. The three-day Grand Family Camps offer grandparents and grandchildren a time for learning, respite, and healing – for bonding through shared experiences and for meeting other multi-generational families who share common challenges. Camp programming includes individual and family counseling, education on understanding the effects of traumatic stress and parenting children who have suffered trauma, and a range of recreational activities that promote child and family health and well-being and strengthen family connections. Camp emphasis is on having fun, promoting attachment, education, and practical, day-to-day issues, including grandparents’ rights and associated legal issues. Participant surveys for our first camp were enthusiastic. Grandparents especially enjoyed meeting other grandparents raising grandchildren. Grandchildren loved everything. We are convinced this model is effective in achieving our goals: family preservation, increasing health and stability of grandparent-headed families, and decreasing the number of children entering the child welfare system.