Intergenerational Program Database

Called Project C.A.R.E., this student-run senior center is for adults 55 and older in the community. The program was founded in 1995 to provide local older adults with a place to meet. Currently, older adults visit the high school throughout the school year (3 days a week) for crafts, lunch with the students, movies, games, and camaraderie. The intergenerational program has been a success with teens and elders. Keyword: Shared Site

The USD 445 School Board and Windsor Place partnered to get an all-day kindergarten classroom built right in the middle of Windsor Place. The elders each day gather around in anticipation of the children’s arrival. The children arrive with smiles, eager to expand their education Keyword: Shared Site

The building that houses the child care center is connected to the Assisted Living area of Schowalter Villa through a corridor named “Main Street. ” Each week every class takes a small group of their children to do activities with their particular residents at the Villa. We have eight seniors who come on a regular basis each week and help in the classroom as teacher aides. Many special events are planned to include children, college students from Hesston College and residents from Schowalter Villa. On occasion residents are brought to the children’s rooms to visit and children visit residents in their rooms. Keyword: Shared Site

The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics recently started an intergenerational mentoring program with members of the Friends of the Dole Institute and the Dole Institute’s Student Advisory Board. The Friends of the Dole Institute is an annual giving program made up mostly of retirees in the Lawrence, Kansas community. Members of the Student Advisory Board are undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Kansas interested in public service and civic engagement. Mentors and mentees were matched based on their interests and met at three facilitated meetings throughout the semester, as well as on their own.

Children from a local Boys & Girls Club visit with residents at Mennonite Friendship Communities to garden together.

The nationally prominent Condell Day Center for Intergenerational Care, located at the Condell Medical Center provides all-day care for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old, (Child Day Care), Adult (Adult Day Services) and adults over 18 years old in need of outpatient rehab services. Along with the benefit of high-quality care, this unique center also offers the unequaled benefits of interaction between adults and children, creating an environment in which children and adults can form relationships by learning and sharing together on a daily basis.

Local colleges and school systems partner to provide services on site.

Children ages 6-18 (as well as adults in the local community) are matched as reading and writing buddies with residents at the Clare Oaks Retirement Community. Participants read a children’s book and exchange monthly letters with their partners. Many adult participants are former teachers who enjoy the opportunity to use their skills to promote literacy for the youth. The young participants (many without access to grandparents or other older adults) enjoying getting to know an older adult. For further information see: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120716/news/707169930/ http://www.readingworldwide.com/index.php?id=51594

Our Intergenerational Program provides both elder volunteers and young people the opportunity to give back. We may provide transportation for elders who mentor students at a Chicago school, or we may provide volunteer opportunities to students who want to help with a special project that is created by the students and enjoyed by elders. Elders share their stories and students gain new perspectives, learn the value of volunteering and often have the opportunity to share their expertise with elders on topics from popular music to texting. We also provide support to teachers who wish to bring real-life history to the classroom, partner with the community, and promote the benefits of friendships between the old and young. Intergenerational Programs are limited only by imagination and interest, and can work for any age group.