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You
are here: Intergenerational Connections: Creating "Magic" for Young & Old
When Jahmel, 9, threw the scissors across the classroom, something had to change - quickly. That change would come in the form of a 84-year-old volunteer, who managed to help Jahmel learn that he was special in someone special's eyes and, therefore, didn't need to act out for attention. The someone special was Jahmel's Kinder Korps tutor, Mr. Clark.
It was a new experience for Jahmel -- one he may never have experienced, had it not been for a unique agency in Seattle that focuses solely on connecting the generations in lifelong learning and service.
Intergenerational Innovations (II) was created in 1991 by Mary Schepman, a retired educator, whose vision was to spread the "magic" that occurs when elders and young children come together. This "magic":
· generates an interest in community service for our children,
· enhances children's academic achievement,
· bolsters self-esteem in both children and elders,
· improves the quality of life for our elders,
· stimulates social growth,
· enables children (and elders) to build upon their personal and community-based strengths, and
· Provides elders with an opportunity to share their lifelong wisdom and talents.The "magic" occurs through five program models:
· A tutoring and mentoring program (Kinder Korps), which enables children to receive individual help in the areas of reading, writing, and math, as well as confidence-building attention from a caring older adult.
· A technology-based program (Computer Pals Program®), through which seniors can learn how to use the computer from their middle school- and high school-aged tutors, and then establish email relationship with younger children.
· A community-service model (Caring Communities Programs) that depends on the development of partnerships between groups of neighboring elders and school children and offers the opportunity for them to share arts, environmental and/or community service activities.
· A communication model (Intergenerational Dialogues) through which elders share their wisdom, experiences, cultural traditions, knowledge, and interests with children in classroom presentations, performances, and discussions.
· Experiential and inquiry-based instruction designed to break down age-related (cultural) stereotypes and enhance support across generations (Empathy Trainings).Operating programs is one thing, making a positive difference is another. Intergenerational programs work, and our track record is a good indicator. According to our Outcome-Based Evaluation for the 2000-2001 school year, our programs resulted in the following positive changes:
· Over 70% of high-risk children who were tutored by elders demonstrated improved academic skills, self-confidence, and motivation.
· Nearly 100% of the children and elder participants we served reported an increase in their comfort level and bonding with each other, as well as their commitment to community service.
· 83% of the children we served improved in technology skills such as knowledge of email, Internet access, word processing, and writing skills.II also supports the community through our Intergenerational Resource Center, the only such center in the Western United States. The center provides access to intergenerational books, videos, curriculum, tip sheets, activity ideas and examples, and articles. The Center also offers training programs and technical assistance to schools and organizations that are interested in intergenerational programming and can provide assemblies and classroom presentations that help children understand aging and eliminate aging stereotyping.
The success of these programs depends on meaningful collaborations between schools, senior organizations, community-based organizations, government agencies, businesses, and individuals. Since 1991, Intergenerational Innovations has brought together more than 8,300 students and 2,300 seniors; connected more than 40 schools to senior centers and community-based organizations; and partnered with more than 100 senior centers and community-based organizations in King County. Last year, II served 2,017 children and 536 elders in King County.We're looking forward making thousands of more connections in the years ahead. Our children and elders deserve nothing less.
Dorothy E. Dubia has been involved in public education for more than 25 years as a school public relations professional, including a five-year stint as communications director for the Seattle Public Schools. She is accredited by the National School Public Relations Association. Dubia joined II to get back to "working for children," having left the field briefly to work in the health care industry. She has also owned her own consulting business, which specialized in improving communications in the public education arena. She may be contacted by email:
Dorothy E. Dubia
Executive Director
Intergenerational Innovations
dedubia@qwest.netFor more information: Intergenerational Innovations, 3200 NE 125th Street, Suite 1, Seattle, 98125. Phone: 206-525-8181. On the web at: www.intergenerate.org.
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