Intergenerational Program Database

Dynamics Community Theater is an intergenerational volunteer program in the Tallmadge City Schools. It begins when each new cast and crew assembles– young people sitting with their peers and adults off to the side. Drawn together by the roles they play, they begin to interact. Both students and adults learn and grow from the experience. By the time they’ve taken their final bows, they are like family! Intergenerational friendships made during productions continue. More than 700 people from the ages of 3 to 80 have been involved in some capacity with one of our productions.

Based at The Intergenerational School and Case Western Reserve University, a multidisciplinary team is planning a video "game" where children and elders can work together using their avatars to save a forest from the effects of global climate change. Broad band connectivity will be used to allow people to exercise together but separated in space using MS Kinnect technology. The participant will learn pattern recognition and systems thinking while exercising and having fun. Outcomes include executive function and eventually other

The Brain Emporium is the Cleveland area’s first computerized brain fitness center and is specifically designed to engage and mentally stimulate older adults. Classes are free to older community members and are taught by Professor T.J. McCallum of Case Western Reserve University and his students. Classes on brain health are also held at The Brain Emporium, and there are also (computerized) programs for those who have suffered strokes.

The Broadview Heights and Brecksville departments of human services collaborate with students from H.U.D.D.L.E., the drug prevention student organization at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, to host an annual “Intergenerational Senior to Senior Prom.”

This program began in 2006 as a yearly program where students from Fairmont High School would volunteer at senior centers and senior living facilities. It has now expanded to students volunteering at about 10 facilities, elementary schools and churches. The students plant flowers at the centers, started a community garden they maintain, bake and deliver cookies for older adults who live alone, paint, repair, and participate in after school games. This program has really grown and has half of the graduating class participating in the activities. The "Seniors Helping Seniors" project receives grant money from the Community Foundation for Kettering and Partners for Healthy Youth. The community outreach always occurs the same week the underclassmen at Fairmont High School take Ohio Graduation Tests.

40+ different educational and civic groups come to participate in programs at retirement living facility

The Leaf Raking Day, in November, provides free leaf raking services to older adults. Each year we encourage Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, schools and other groups to have their families participate with them. We usually have 50-75 homes in our community that need their leaves raked. We recruit the volunteers, assign the locations, and sponsor a breakfast for the volunteers. In the last 2 years, our volunteers have been between 200-300 people. In partnership with Connections, we also host Make a Difference Day in October; this event provides seniors with services to have outdoor chores done.

One of our most successful relationships has been cultivated with Judson’s Daily Enrichment Center where adult daycare participants with developmental disabilities are so excited and appreciative to have TIS students join them for craft projects and learning based enrichment activities. These visits were 2-3 times more frequent than our traditional facility visits, and facility staff confirmed that there was a significant increase in resident involvement and participation when TIS students were working with them, along with a notable reduction in stress. TIS students were among hundreds in the community and thousands across the country serving through this program. TIS students chose to visit local assisted living facilities to talk with seniors as part of the Business Volunteers Unlimited Global Youth Service Day. Students as teachers is where TIS students worked with National Black Caucus clients who were trying to reenter the workforce, but needed basic computer skills. Our students taught the seniors how to navigate the internet, create a resume in Word, and set up and use an email account.

The Intergenerational School (TIS) is a successful community public school located in Cleveland, Ohio. In this elementary school adults of all ages participate as co-learners in supporting life-long learning and spirited citizenship. The recipient of many local, national and international awards the model is now being replicated in Cleveland (Near West and Lakeshore Intergenerational Schools) and elsewhere. Studies demonstrate the value of the model for both children and elders, including those with cognitive challenges like dementia. The school has developed innovative programs in literacy, environment, health, information technology, and the arts. The school fosters collective wisdom in service of a sustainable future. Keyword: Shared Site

You can change a life by providing the individual attention that helps children build confidence and success. Opportunities are available in Parma City Schools and 18 other U. S. cities. OASIS volunteer tutors are paired with children in grades K-3 who would benefit from a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Tutors are trained to work with kids using a proven approach to literacy that emphasizes reading, talking and writing. They meet with their students at least once a week throughout the school year, providing a caring, supportive environment where reading and language activities, keyed to the child’s interests, spark curiosity and learning.