Intergenerational Program Database

Program at Kids Ink Too that matches school-aged children with a "gramp" at Sunrise Assisted Living. They are penpals; they exchange gifts, spend time together, and bond when they swap visits.

The high school student council provides a Senior Citizen Brunch for elders in the community to visit the high school, enjoy a meal, and spend a few hours interacting with the high school students. This event is coordinated by the high school students in collaboration with the Lakeville Senior Center and Freetown Council on Aging.

Through the Intergenerational Matching Program volunteers are matched with elder friends to develop long-term relationships. Volunteers commit to visit regularly, 3 - 4 hours a month. The value of the personal connection of the visitor and the elder cannot be underestimated. The elders in this program are the most vulnerable. In addition to friendly chats, watching movies and going for walks, elders may be assisted by their “visiting friends” with the daily challenges of living independently.

The Memory Café is a welcoming place for people with dementia and their care partners. Once a month students from Brandeis University meet with seniors with dementia. Participants enjoy coffee, refreshments, and conversation with new friends. Guest artists share their work each month and lead participatory experiences.

Engineering students at Olin College, students at Wellesley and Babson partner with local community Councils on Aging for a course. Students come up with projects to allow seniors to age in place.

Road Scholar Intergenerational Programs were designed for adults (grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, or authorized family friends) to participate in a learning adventure with their young relatives or friends. These programs allow older adults to get to know their younger generations better. Programs exist throughout the country.

Intergenerational programs include a Grand-Friend Program with the Steward Elementary School in Topsfield, an annual Valentine Exchange between students and seniors ensuring that homebound seniors receive a valentine, and the S.C.A.D. Dinner - This Senior Citizen Appreciation Dinner is sponsored by the Student Council at Masconomet High School each March. Students provide dinner, entertainment and gifts to show their appreciation of senior citizens in the Tri-Town communities.

This annual event brings together volunteers of all ages with seniors in various JF&CS programs. Volunteers assist in transporting elders to and from their homes, as well as singing. The generations celebrate the holiday together.

The mission of the Intergenerational Urban Institute at Worcester State University is to harness the combined talents of college students of all ages to meet the challenges that face our urban environment. By creating a learning community of young, middle aged, and elder students, the IUI fosters growth in knowledge, skill development and interpersonal relationships that enable people to work effectively in service in the greater Worcester community. Programs include a Garden for All Ages, an English Language Learner tutoring program, and a Hunger Outreach Team among others.  

For 10 consecutive weeks, students from the Dedham Middle School come to the Hebrew SeniorLife campus at NewBridge on the Charles to engage in activities with residents in the Memory Support (dementia) unit of our Health Care Center. This program is modeled after a similar initiative with the Rashi School, a K-8 Jewish Day School that shares a campus with NewBridge on the Charles. With both school communities, students are trained to work with Alzheimer's and dementia patients, and help lead weekly activities to stimulate residents' bodies and minds. Keyword: Shared Site