Intergenerational Program

More and more, schools are increasingly searching for ways to offer their students the benefit of elders’ experience. Our Intergenerational Program brings students of all ages together with seniors who provide a vital link to the past. By sharing their stories, elders provide an eyewitness account of historic events and a snapshot of what life was like when they were young.

The program allows both generations to feel more comfortable with each other and instills the value of volunteerism among young people.

• Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly coordinates field trips and service learning activities teaching students the positive aspects of aging and the value of volunteering.
• These programs enable educators to incorporate real life experiences into their curricula, partner with the community, and expose young people to the reciprocal benefits of intergenerational relationships.

Bob and friend.

Past projects include:

• Kindergarteners who had just learned to count to 100 were visited by centenarians to share and compare life experiences.
• Sixth graders learning to write poetry interviewed seniors, wrote poems about their visits, and decorated the poems, which were sent to elders as mementos.
• High school students interviewed elders for a history class project.
• Schools and youth groups participated in hands-on projects food drives, baking cookies, making special occasion cards and other events that celebrated and involved the elderly. 

New ideas are welcomed and encouraged!

Contact Christine Bertrand if you are interested in participating in our Intergenerational Program.