Intergenerational Program Database

The program offers the juveniles a chance to talk with someone who cares, and who is not paid to be there. The RSVP volunteer may be the only adult the juvenile has ever talked with who is not part of the "system" or part of the problem (parents, relatives, etc.). The center director reports that many are neglected and/or abused at home, but more often it is the lack of parental supervision and permissiveness at home and the consequent freedom which has lead to incarceration. In the center, they are forced to do something they don't want to do - perhaps for the first time in their lives. Meeting with RSVP volunteers allows these juveniles an opportunity to release some of their frustration and talk with "grandparents" who will listen without judgment. It gives the juveniles a chance to blow off steam with impunity. The director says he notices a visible difference after the sessions in the juveniles' demeanor, being more relaxed and calm.

The Tutoring Program is a partnership between RSVP and Milwaukee Public Schools. It is a volunteer driven tutoring program designed to improve the academic performance of MPS students. RSVP Members can take the role of recruiting, training, supporting and recognizing fellow volunteers in addition to tutoring. By working together, RSVP Members build a community of volunteers committed to help our local students succeed.

A service learning program for youth ages 11 to 15, the Buddy Program is an educational mentoring project aimed at strengthening intergenerational relations and increasing respect for diversity. Run in collaboration with the Milwaukee County Department on Aging and local schools, the program connects youth with older adults and people with disabilities in Milwaukee area senior centers. The youth are involved in activities designed to re-enforce compassion and create a caring, peaceful community. The youth practice skills needed for future jobs, enhance their self-esteem, develop social skills and break down generational barriers through mutual respect and understanding. Intergenerational activities include assisting with lunch, reading stories, playing games, creating art, sharing life stories and participating in spiritual formation. Keyword: Shared Site

This is a summer collaborative class including high school students from Milwaukee Public Schools and adult clients at St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus. Together students and adults focus on creating art, utilizing technology, interviewing skills, and building relationships between generations. High school students introduce the adults to the basics of computer use and the Internet. In addition, they interview clients to gather life stories that are translated into art projects and memoir books which are given to each client participating in the program. The students get a chance to practice face-to-face communication with people from different cultures and generations. Adults get a chance to tell their life stories and share memories that serve has history lessons for the students. Keyword: Shared Site

America Reads is a national program to assure that all students are able to read at grade level by third grade. Volunteers spend time each week with Kindergarten through Third Grade students in one-on-one and small group settings. Volunteers are grouped in teams for orientation, training, recognition and support.

Contributions of Different Cultures are half day and whole day events where students and seniors are brought together to share and learn from each other. Through hands-on activities, music, and food preparation students are taught an oral history lesson. Folk Fairs help to demonstrate and preserve our community and appreciation of the past. Hundreds of adults and thousands of students participate in our Folk Fairs every year.

Since 1994, these all-day events at Waukesha County elementary schools bring young and old together in a fun learning atmosphere. The “fair” is staged in the school gym, where groups of students come in to examine displays, watch demonstrations, ask questions, try activities and make sample projects to take home. Volunteers anticipate eager hands-on involvement with students as they try their hand at sewing on a button, making paper, leather craft or thumbprint art. Twenty five to thirty activities involve 40-50 volunteers per fair.

Hope & A Future currently operate a licensed Adult Family Home for frail seniors with live in interegenerational staff. We sponsor activities open to the surrounding community--including a monthly pot-luck and house concerts, quilting and exercise groups. Attendee age range is infants to 100 year olds. Grounds, garden and construction volunteer opportunities brought over 300 people of all ages in 2015. We are activily working on plans to build housing for independent seniors and young families interested in mentoring and support. This development is for people interested in intentional community and includes shared green space and a community building offering intergenerational services and fun! Here everyone helps and is helped while living, playing, working and dying in community. Keyword: Shared Site

Intergenerational Multi-Arts Program (IMAP) brings together students from Milwaukee schools and older adults from assisted living and adult day programs. The focus is to build community between intergenerational groups through the creative arts. The IMAP curriculum approaches intergenerational relationship-building from the theory that communities that share traditions and communicate through positive creative expression will be stronger and more connected.

At the Fernandez Center for Alternative Learning RSVP Workshop Mentoring Program, RSVP volunteers are making a difference with at-risk students by helping them discover the joy of learning through the use of power tools. Students learn about safety and complete basic woodworking projects. This "hands-on" type of learning also increases the students' self-esteem and confidence and instills a sense of pride in accomplishments. The volunteers provide a supportive environment by being patient and by understanding that the students have varying abilities and learn at different rates. The real benefit of this program is the mentoring and bonding that takes place between student and volunteer.