Volunteers for Community Impact

EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, we feature intergenerational program ideas that were tried and successful. This series is a tool to highlight various age-optimized programs and practices. The program descriptions are provided by representatives of the programs. Inclusion in this series does not imply Generations United’s endorsement or recommendation, but rather encourages ideas to inspire other programs.

This week’s cool idea is Volunteers for Community Impact, which sponsors the Foster Grandparent Program, RSVP, and VCI Cyber-Seniors throughout Central Florida, allowing adults ages 55 and older to connect with young people through a variety of sources.

(Check our archives for parts 1-49.)

The Foster Grandparent Program and RSVP create the opportunity for adults ages 55 and over to volunteer as little as 30 minutes up to 25 hours every week with special needs and at risk youth helping them learn to read, and stay on target for graduation.

VCI Cyber-Seniors connects adults with a young mentor who teaches them how to reconnect to their friends, family, and community through technology.

Be a Hero... Volunteer!

Got something cool you tried that was successful? Why not tweet your cool intergenerational ideas to #cooligideas? You can also post them to our Intergenerational Connections Facebook Group. We want to highlight innovative age-optimized programs and practices through our blog, social media and weekly e-newsletter! Share the inspiration.

The South Brunswick Senior Center

EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, we feature intergenerational program ideas that were tried and successful. This series is a tool to highlight various age-optimized programs and practices. The program descriptions are provided by representatives of the programs. Inclusion in this series does not imply Generations United’s endorsement or recommendation, but rather encourages ideas to inspire other programs.

This week’s cool idea is the Senior Center in South Brunswick, NJ, which partners with the local school district to conduct a number of intergenerational programs.

(Check our archives for parts 1-48.)

A highlight of the South Brunswick Senior Center’s partnership with the local school district is the Living Legacies project, an annual event that sees high schoolers and older adults collaborating for an original theatre performance.

Each year, the theme is different. Some past themes include veteran stories, immigration, and local history. The school gathers students and the senior center and their volunteer partner organizations to identify older adults within the township to participate.

They use the theme as the starting point for conversations and begin to meet regularly. Wonderful conversations are held, new things are learned, perspectives are shared, and a bond begins to form.

Older adults are interviewed by the high school students during their English classes.

The students then translate what they learned from all these interviews into monologues, turning them into a theatre performance piece presented at the senior center.

A reception follows, so seniors can then mingle with the students and discuss the show, which continues to foster the learning experience.

Got something cool you tried that was successful? Why not tweet your cool intergenerational ideas to #cooligideas? You can also post them to our Intergenerational Connections Facebook Group. We want to highlight innovative age-optimized programs and practices through our blog, social media and weekly e-newsletter! Share the inspiration.

Red Hook Community Farm

EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, we feature intergenerational program ideas that were tried and successful. This series is a tool to highlight various age-optimized programs and practices. The program descriptions are provided by representatives of the programs. Inclusion in this series does not imply Generations United’s endorsement or recommendation, but rather encourages ideas to inspire other programs.

This week’s cool idea is Red Hook Community Farm, a vibrant community resource where young and old work, study and grow together as they sow, nurture and harvest plants on a 2.75 acre urban farm.

(Check our archives for parts 1-47.)

Neighborhood leaders and local youth, along with regional institutions, created the Farm to address food insecurity, unemployment and the alienation of youth from the Red Hook community.

What was once a dilapidated playground is now an intergenerational center for urban agriculture that serves as an experiential educational environment for youth, adults and elders.

Red Hook Community Farm provides sustenance to residents, creates meaningful work for neighborhood teens, generates thousands of dollars of economic activity and improves community food security.

Got something cool you tried that was successful? Why not tweet your cool intergenerational ideas to #cooligideas? You can also post them to our Intergenerational Connections Facebook Group. We want to highlight innovative age-optimized programs and practices through our blog, social media and weekly e-newsletter! Share the inspiration.

Meet Bonnie Her - Generations United Summer Intern

I’ve witnessed firsthand the injustices toward older adults.

It wasn’t until I took an intergenerational course that I realized the linchpin for that maltreatment and neglect is the lack of understanding that young and old are interdependent on one another.

Prior to my new understanding, I began my college career hoping to one day become a nurse.

Now, I’m a junior at San Diego State University, pursuing a Bachelors of Arts in Gerontology with an interest in intergenerational issues.

I graduate next Spring.

As someone who likes snorkeling, rock climbing and backpacking through Arizona’s canyons, I’m always looking for new experiences.

And this summer is no different with me making D.C. home for two months.

I’m thrilled to be with Generations United researching intergenerational programs for our directory, compiling information and materials for the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren bibliography, and assisting in the research for the next State of Grandfamiles report.

This is a great opportunity for me to learn and contribute to Generations United’s successes.

The Amazing Worthington City Band

EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, we feature intergenerational program ideas that were tried and successful. This series is a tool to highlight various age-optimized programs and practices. The program descriptions are provided by representatives of the programs. Inclusion in this series does not imply Generations United’s endorsement or recommendation, but rather encourages ideas to inspire other programs.

This week’s cool idea is The Amazing Worthington City Band, a Minnesota-based intergenerational band whose membership ranges in age from 8th grade to older adults, or “the most wisdomed tune makers”.

(Check our archives for parts 1-46.)

Young and old practice at the Worthington Senior High School and then share their concert tunes at 7:30, Wednesday nights at Chautauqua Park next to the beautiful Lake Okabena.

City Band Concerts begin their summer kick-off on May 28th, Memorial Day at 11:00 in the park supporting the American Legion and VFW’s 'Salute to our Servicemen and Women'.

About 200 community members come out each Wednesday to celebrate music and tap their toes with the Amazing Worthington City Band.

A ten minute intermission features local talent and the kiddies get to take part in a special march topped off with a treat.

The billowing breeze off the lake, the soaking sunshine throughout the shadows, and the happy giggles coming from the squeaking swings all add to the great time all ages have on Wednesday nights in Worthington down by the lake.

Got something cool you tried that was successful? Why not tweet your cool intergenerational ideas to #cooligideas? You can also post them to our Intergenerational Connections Facebook Group. We want to highlight innovative age-optimized programs and practices through our blog, social media and weekly e-newsletter! Share the inspiration.

Penacook Community Center's Buddy Bingo and Walking School Bus

PCC's older adults put on their sneakers and join the early morning “Walking
School Bus” from the community center to Penacook Elementary School.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, we feature intergenerational program ideas that were tried and successful. This series is a tool to highlight various age-optimized programs and practices. The program descriptions are provided by representatives of the programs. Inclusion in this series does not imply Generations United’s endorsement or recommendation, but rather encourages ideas to inspire other programs.

This week’s cool ideas are the New Hampshire-based Penacook Community Center (PCC)’s Buddy Bingo and Walking School Bus programs, both of which allow older adults to pass on the importance of safety, while teaching children and youth to read and learn numbers.

(Check our archives for parts 1-45.)

In Buddy Bingo, older adult program members and preschool program children play intergenerational bingo, which helps children identify, read, and learn numbers and helps older adults keep their brains stimulated and motor skills challenged.

Through a partnership with the Merrimack Valley School District Safe Routes to School organization, PCC launched their “Walking School Bus” program where staff and older adults escort the children from the community center to Penacook Elementary School.

All ages enjoy the laughs and conversations during the brisk early morning walks.

Got something cool you tried that was successful? Why not tweet your cool intergenerational ideas to #cooligideas? You can also post them to our Intergenerational Connections Facebook Group. We want to highlight innovative age-optimized programs and practices through our blog, social media and weekly e-newsletter! Share the inspiration.