Intergenerational Program Database

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.

We recruit and train volunteers to visit and befriend isolated older adults in our community. About 35% of our volunteers are undergraduate students from Northwestern University. In addition, we have high school seniors who help create and present entertainment and group visits to older adults during the holiday season. We also have young families with children befriend a senior for an on-going one hour a week friendship.

Our seniors and youth have worked together on the following: - Youth Farmers Market (Gary Comer Youth Center) - African American History Month Theater Performances (Holman Leadership Academy) - Intergenerational Conference/Workshops(Metropolitan Area Group Igniting Civilization and Gary Comer Youth Academy) - Oral History Project (South Shore High School) - Older Adults Raising Children Support Group (City Contract with Salvation Army)

Our Youth in Service Program engages groups of 8- to 18-year-olds in meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout the city of Chicago. These customized service projects and programs are built, based on the interests and schedule of our youth group, to meet a critical need in Chicago. We work to ensure that students are educated about social issues, engaged in meaningful service and empowered to be agents of change in their community long after their time serving with Chicago Cares is over. Some of our most popular projects include: Senior Breakfast Clubs: Prepare a hot meal for low-income seniors and facilitate intergenerational activities; Environmental Projects: Help maintain the city’s green space through the removal of invasive plant species, trash clean up and planting; Hunger Programs: Sort and pack food at a food bank or prepare and serve food at a soup kitchen; Working with Adults with Disabilities: Use your creative juices to put on an arts and crafts fair for the clients at a day-time work center for adults with disabilities

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois - 200 + RSVP older adult volunteers serve the community by mentoring, tutoring, and supervising in schools' afterschool programs, Kids Against Hunger projects, Parks and Rec. event assistance, children's literature fests, QC Youth Conference, 4-H, high school projects, adult literacy, CASA, children's museums, and more.

Intergenerational fiction and non-fiction book groups meet once a month. People of all ages are invited to participate

An activity project that reaches across generations and teaches young people about growing older and the normal physical changes that occur with age. It also teaches those who come in contact with older citizens how to effectively communicate with them and serve their needs. U. if IL extension project 4-H awareness

The IEA/NEA SP and the IEA/NEA Retired Program have combined efforts to offer a mentoring program to students who are entering the field of education. This program offers students the opportunity to work with a retired teacher in a mentoring relationship.

H.O.M.E. helps Chicago’s low-income seniors maintain their independence by providing services unlike any organization in the City of Chicago. Intergenerationally, HOME maintains three intergenerational affordable houses where seniors choose between individual apartments or, for residents who need some assistance, shared living

The initiative brings together elementary school children, high school students and young adults from area colleges to the Addington Place community to spend time and develop new relationships. Activities vary and include craft making and reading, as well as community service projects, such as making fleece blankets for local hospitals.