Intergenerational Program Database

This program began in 2012 when students from Central Connecticut State University involved in an adult development and aging course partnered with seniors at the Orchards. The students and the seniors participate in small group activities including discussions and exercises.

In this annual event students from Washington Middle School and Lincoln Middle school join seniors at Meriden Senior Center for a spelling bee. Unlike a traditional spelling bee, in this event students and seniors team up together to decide how to correctly spell words. The winner is determined using a point system rather than elimination.

The New Britain Senior TRIAD will holds an annual Intergenerational Senior Prom at the high school cafeteria. Senior citizens and students dance to a live band. There are prizes, a magician and the crowning of the king and queen, along with dinner, appetizers, dessert, and coffee. Tickets are $5 and are available at the senior center.

Intergenerational Fun with Children event;

From music classes and morning exercise to discussion groups or intergenerational visits, our schedule of daily activities is customized to meet the interests of our participants and to accommodate a range of cognitive and physical abilities. Our program schedule also reflects current studies and best practices for minimizing illness and functional loss. We focus on prevention and health maintenance, offering physical activity programs to address cardiovascular disease and diabetes. We also incorporate cognitive stimulation programs to slow the progression of cognitive decline.

The Tri-Lakes Senior Citizen Center is located on the grounds of Lewis-Palmer High School, at 1300 Higby Road. D-38 works in partnership with the center to encourage multigenerational educational opportunities. Keyword: Shared Site

The mission of GrandFriends is to unite two very important segments of our community, our elders and our youth – the wisdom and experiences of our past and the creativity and energy of our future – to improve the academic achievement of our young people. GrandFriends are an integral part of the educational team preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s world. Our retired and senior citizens with their multiple and valuable skills serve as talented mentors to our students. The students benefit not only from the sharing of these skills but also from the relationships they develop with the GrandFriends. Teachers continually praise the addition of GrandFriends to their classrooms. By creating an opportunity for interaction between senior and student, the child is helped, the older citizen feels useful and the community as a whole benefits through students who are better prepared for life’s work and to make positive contributions to society.

Bessie's Hope youth and elders program matches schools and other youth groups with nursing home and assisted living residents. This is a mutually beneficial program where the youth gain self esteem, respect for others, life skills and academic skills. The elders receive companionship, intellectual stimulation and the chance to feel useful.

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.