Intergenerational Program Database

The Legacy Project addresses multiple emerging issues that are impacting the Cambodian refugee community. These issues include major health and language disparities among the elders and the education disparities among the youth. The core goal of the program is to bridge the generation gap between refugee Elders and Cambodian-American high school aged youth. Elders share personal photos before, during, and after the war. Youth will hear first-hand accounts of the genocide, life in refugee camps, and the resettlement into inner-city Philadelphia. Youth share their own family photos to continue the story and share struggles youth face today with the elders. Both groups share their war stories and learn about each other’s needs. Past events have included an advocacy trip to Washington DC, the creation of a photo-story exhibition and creation of a cookbook.

Volunteer teens of SeniorLink work to bridge the generational divide by teaching computer and internet skills at senior homes in their community, or simply by interacting with seniors through games, puzzles, or old fashioned conversation. SeniorLink seeks to ensure that any resident feels motivated, active, and mentally stimulated. In addition to this exchange, SeniorLink benefits people and communities in which they interact in many ways. The nonprofit organization has boosted the community spirit, recycled old computers, connected generations, and motivated more people to get involved in their communities.

Our curriculum includes an intergenerational program with “grandfriends” from the residential community, which combines their talents and life skills in daily and special events

Village at Penn State residents are partnered with students to learn and practice using Skype. Large group workshops and one-on-one sessions are held as desired by the residents. Students prepare handouts and assist Village residents in placing and receiving calls. Students are also available for follow-up and support assistance.

The Intergenerational Pen Pal Program is a partnership between RSVP of Schuylkill County and several area schools. Students are matched with older adults and exchange letters throughout the year. At the end of the year they meet for a celebration. In addition to working on children's writing skills, the program also focused on building bridges and understanding between generations.

This annual event which began in 1985 brings seniors for The Upper Merion Senior Service Center to Upper Merion Area Middle School to compete in a spelling bee. The day also includes a luncheon in which seniors and students get to know each other.

We designed this program with one goal in mind: to create a fun, interactive atmosphere to promote education and communication across different generations of families. Grandparents and their grandchildren come to campus for two days and three nights. You'll stay in your family's own brand new dorm room or suite. You and your grandchildren will take four courses taught by university professors from a variety of disciplines.

Intergenerational Mentoring Program for African American Males is a project that aims to provide male role models, mentoring, and cultural experience to young African American men in the Uniontown area with a focus on the East End community. The project pairs young men, 12-15 years of age with older African American men who are participating in the East End Senior Citizens Group and East End Concerned Citizen.

Generations on Line is dedicated to enhancing communication among generations by promoting Internet access and literacy to elders. Generation to generation is an intergenerational oral history on the PC training program. After school classes of 9 and 10-year old students, under a teacher's supervision ask questions about the past, in four categories: Origins and History; Inventions and Transportation; Sports and Entertainment; and "When you were my age." The responses by seniors are manually filtered each day; the teacher guidelines and categories are based on Fourth grade studies. The children involved with the program to date have been enormously interested. They are guided by a well developed curriculum to first think about older people, discuss their impressions, perceptions, and biases.

College students from diverse disciplines and backgrounds tutor older immigrants in English, U.S. history and civics at community centers, religious institutions, adult education classes, and senior residences to help them acquire citizenship and become more actively engaged in their communities. Students participate in SHINE through service learning courses, as volunteers and as interns, and can often receive credits.