Intergenerational Program Database

For many years, On Lok has worked in partnership with San Francisco schools (both public and private): pre-schools, elementary, junior high & high schools, and with both general and special education classes. We provide a diverse mixture of opportunities for old and young in our community to come together, learn from each other and build genuine friendships. Every On Lok center includes intergenerational activities in the lives of its elderly clients.

Trained volunteers help students raise writing proficiency, develop critical thinking and build academic confidence. "WriterCoach Connection works. Student writing achievement goes up, teachers get much-needed relief with the extra individual attention to students, and community members bond with their schools. Everyone wins...."

Professional writers teach high school students how to interview and write 3-4,000 word memoirs of over 55 members of the community ("Memoir Stars"). Mentors meets with students to revise drafts, The club publishes the memoirs and awards scholarships to the top four as determined by judges. Students go on to college as published writers. Let It Be Recorded and All Our Yesterdays are available for sale on Amazon.com. Keyword: Shared Site

Volunteers tutoring elementary school children in reading, 1-2 times a week.

GAP offers a wealth of programs that include direct services, information dissemination, and referrals and linkages to support kinship families. GAP’s direct services focus on four main areas: 1) Mental Health Services, 2) Safety-Net Services, 3) Education and Child-Focused Advocacy, and 4) Navigation. These programs give kinship families access to emergency funds, food and clothing, emotional support, counseling, mentoring, and tools to work with schools and government agencies. Also included are peer engagement opportunities, nutritional assistance with CalFresh screening and enrollment, and a warm-line for immediate referrals. In 2009, GAP established a partnership with the Child Welfare Initiative, Children’s Law Center and Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court in Monterey Park to create the Caregiver Center, which provides navigation assistance, support, and referrals for all kinship families involved with the court and child welfare system through Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). In addition, GAP provides advocacy on behalf of families with DCFS and other county agencies, schools, doctors, and courts. GAP works with partner agencies to link kinship families with available resources to meet immediate and basic needs. All services are offered free-of-charge.

The Intergenerational Writing Project with Turning Point School takes place over three months, with our writing and discussion groups meeting weekly at either the Senior Center or the School. Each group is around 6 students, 2 seniors & one teacher and discussions range from current events to travels and philosophy. Poems, short stories and more are written and shared by all members of the group. The is a unifying theme or project each year for the project, which will be in its 8th year in 2017. The 6th graders call the project “amazing” “fun” and “so cool,” while the senior participants are grateful for “unforgettable” memories from the sessions.

Active older adults (age 50+) are teamed with youth (typically elementary-school age) for a half-day of fun educational and physical activities. The mission of the Games is to increase mutual understanding and respect between generations and to promote healthy, active, life-long behaviors. Intergenerational Games events occur in several locations throughout the county.

The annual Walk of Ages is a family oriented event that raises much needed funds for the Jewish Home. Walkers and runners of all ages collect donations from sponsors for this fun event.

The Next Chapter enables high school youth to develop profound connections to the Holocaust by interviewing survivors. By participating in the program, students create a special relationship with a local survivor.

Both grandparents (other family members) and children develop a deeper understanding of the commonalities and differences between generations, ultimately capturing knowledge and values that otherwise may not be transferred. Grandparents, family members, and special friends will experience, first hand, the wonders of our performing arts program as students share various performances from Kindergarten through 8th grade. From here, visitors will spend time with students in the classroom space, participate in specially designed activities, and leave engaged and inspired to learn even more together in the future.