Intergenerational Program Database

Clement Avenue students interacted with talented seniors at the spring Intergenerational Fair woodworking, staining…Milwaukee Public Schools.

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.

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.

RSVP Kenosha mentoring program places RSVP volunteers in elementary and middle schools. They serve as role models and spend time once a week with their mentees in the classroom

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.

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 innovative RSVP PAWS for Reading program began in October, 2003 and aims to improve the literacy skills of children. RSVP volunteers visit elementary schools classrooms with their own pets students take turns reading to the animal. Research shows that children with poor reading skills and low self-esteem are often more willing to interact with an animal than with another person. It has proven to be a motivator for children who are reluctant to practice reading with an adult. This program is also available to non-RSVP volunteers who have a Certified Pet Therapy dog.

Grandparents' University is designed for children ages 7-14 accompanied by their grandparent(s). All are welcome to participate! Classes will be offered in various classrooms across the UW-Green Bay campus.

CATCH brings children and adults age 50+ together to learn good eating and physical activity habits for a lifetime. The program combats obesity by engaging adults age 50+ as mentors to teach healthy lifelong habits to kids in grades K-5. Adults in the program benefit in several ways. Research shows that volunteers have lower rates of depression and mortality and greater functional ability than those who do not volunteer. As they promote healthy habits for kids and for themselves, they also experience the rewards of meaningful community service.