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Two different needs, one caring solution.

Bringing younger and older generations together strengthens minds, heals hearts and restores hope.

Over the last century, American society has become highly segregated by age. Research shows that when generations come together, everyone benefits – children and youth, older adults and the community.

 grandpa
smart-program

SMART Program

The Intergenerational Initiative

United Way of Westchester and Putnam, the Helen Andrus Benedict Foundation and other Intergenerational Initiative partners are creating and expanding opportunities for young and old to share talents and skills, to the benefit of all:

  • Day care for young children side-by-side with senior care — the two generations build relationships, share activities and learn from each other through the JEWEL PROGRAM at the Intergenerational Community of Mt. Kisco.
  • The SMART Program (Students and Mature Adults Read Together) is an intergenerational literacy mentoring program in Mount Vernon schools that gives kids a one-on-one learning experience with their senior mentors.
  • Through ComNET Yonkers, intergenerational teams of Groundwork Yonkers use handheld computers to report physical problems in their neighborhood such as cracked side walks, burned out street lights, trash, and other blights to their community.
  • To address age segregation, The Alliance network of higher education partners is working to (1) infuse curricula with information on normal aging and (2) inform students of career opportunities in the field of aging.
Our Intergenerational Initiative includes our Communities for All Ages partners who are working to:
  • Enhance institutional, intercultural and inter-age communication, interaction and civic engagement in Port Chester
  • Develop new multi-generational housing; help older homeowners stay in their homes; and provide information on available housing and transportation in Peekskill
  • Bring the older generation into local schools to reduce child behavior problems, talk about mutual community concerns, increase inter-age understanding and provide seniors with learning and volunteer opportunities in the Ashburton area of Yonkers

groundwork-yonkers

Groundwork Yonkers

Impact and Results in 2007/2008:

JCY/Westchester Community Partners

The SMART Program

Literacy mentoring was expanded to 3 additional elementary schools. 32 older adult volunteers and 78 elementary school children participated.

Port Chester /Town of Rye Council of Community Services

Port Chester Community
for All Ages

Port Chester Cares Community Coalition was established to increase awareness and opportunities within the community. 65 members, 32 Board members and 12 Executive Committee members helped to guide and oversee volunteer opportunities. 50 volunteers were recruited to participate in God's Green Market- which feeds the hungry- and served an average of 192 families. An Arts Coalition of 12 members was formed to increase awareness among different ethnic groups. 500 individuals/families attended the multicultural arts festival. The festival included 15 poets, 10 music and dance acts, 15 artists, 5 food vendors and 3 workshops.

Mount Kisco Day Care Centers, Inc.

The JEWEL PROGRAM at the Intergenerational Community of Mount Kisco
101 children and 79 elders participated in weekly intergenerational program activities.

Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services

The Alliance

85 people attended the second Aging Career Day event. 22 student members were recruited for a team of student representatives from academic institutions in Westchester. An Alliance website was created by students of a participating university. Partnerships increased between not-for-profits/colleges from 7 to 9. 3 networking meetings were held to give businesses and academic institutions an opportunity to engage students for community service, service learning and internship involvement.

The Preservation Company

Peekskill Community for All Ages

Four advocacy meetings were held with 49 participants, to increase awareness regarding housing and transportation issues of Peekskill residents. One home maintenance group assisted seniors to "clean out" their homes and 19 volunteers participated in the "Summer Clean" program, which assisted 11 seniors. Peekskill residents will be updated on available housing and transportation through a newsletter. 23 individuals, including children and seniors participated in the development of the newsletter.

Groundwork Hudson Valley

ComNET Yonkers

One intergenerational team involving 10 older adults and 25 youth participated in Intergenerational Team-building workshops, trainings and surveys to modify and improve the ComNET database. The scope of the database survey was revised from 75 neighborhood problems to 19 priority issues. 2 training sessions were held involving 30+ volunteers. 15 training workshops were held for team members. 3 teleconference trainings were held with FCNY to create new survey routes and to produce a range of reports. 2 survey events were held, covering 12 new streets surveyed, with 4 additional routes created. 170 identified problems were submitted to the City of Yonkers in 3 different reports. 71 priority issues were identified and 2- 3 problems will be resolved.

Family Service Society of Yonkers

Ashburton Avenue Community for All Ages

An intergenerational advisory committee consisting of 12 children/older residents was created to develop strategies to address behavioral issues among youth. An intergenerational gathering site established at Yonkers Museum School 25 was designed to bring together youth and seniors in the Ashburton neighborhood. 10 older residents and 13 second grade students participated in weekly activities at the gathering site. 24 additional children were involved through one- to-one assistance at Museum School 25's Community Share-a-Book-Day.

SMART program students describe their experiences:

       

To: Ms. Sherman,

Thank you for caring and spending your time with me. Thank you for all your help in making me a better reader and writer. I really enjoyed all the time we spent together learning.

From: Brandon

   Friendship:

Forever and ever
Running on the grass
Every day you're my friend
I like the way you are
Night and by Day
and night

From Alex to Estelle

Grandpa George and Seth

Pre-schooler Lana and Grandpa Norm were paired in an activity to make necklaces. Grandpa Norm was reluctant to participate and told Lana that because of his rheumatoid arthritis, she would have to select another partner. To his surprise and delight, Lana said that, of course they could make a necklace! Grandpa Norm would select the pink and green beads and she would do the stringing. And together not only did they create two beautiful necklaces, one for Lana's mother and one for Norm's wife, but they formed a lasting friendship. Lana learned to problem- solve, and help Grandpa Norm feel wanted and needed - even with rheumatoid arthritis. A win-win situation.
grandpa-george

Building Intergenerational Understanding Exercise

Each of the following statements expresses a stereotype about a group of people defined only as "they." Beside each number, indicate whether you think a younger person is talking about older people (OP) or an older person is talking about young people (YP).

___1. They always stick together and keep their distance from other age groups.
___ 2. I hate the way they drive. They're a menace on the road.
___ 3. They're always taking and never giving. They think the world owes them a living.
___ 4. They're so opinionated. They think they know it all.
___ 5. They're never satisfied, always complaining about something.
___ 6. Don't hire them because you can't depend on them.
___ 7. They always hang around the parks and shopping malls.
___ 8. They're always so forgetful.
___ 9.  I wish I had as much freedom as they have.
___ 10. They should act their age.
___ 11. They have great ideas.
___ 12. They make great leaders.
___ 13. Their experiences can be helpful to others.
___ 14. They want to live a better life by making the community better and are willing to make it happen.
___ 15. They care about what happens to other members of the community.

Young and Old Serving Together: Meeting Community Needs Through Intergenerational Partnerships (Generations United, 42).