Intergenerational Program Database

The Memory Café is a welcoming place for people with dementia and their care partners. Once a month students from Brandeis University meet with seniors with dementia. Participants enjoy coffee, refreshments, and conversation with new friends. Guest artists share their work each month and lead participatory experiences.

Engineering students at Olin College, students at Wellesley and Babson partner with local community Councils on Aging for a course. Students come up with projects to allow seniors to age in place.

Road Scholar Intergenerational Programs were designed for adults (grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, or authorized family friends) to participate in a learning adventure with their young relatives or friends. These programs allow older adults to get to know their younger generations better. Programs exist throughout the country.

Intergenerational programs include a Grand-Friend Program with the Steward Elementary School in Topsfield, an annual Valentine Exchange between students and seniors ensuring that homebound seniors receive a valentine, and the S.C.A.D. Dinner - This Senior Citizen Appreciation Dinner is sponsored by the Student Council at Masconomet High School each March. Students provide dinner, entertainment and gifts to show their appreciation of senior citizens in the Tri-Town communities.

This annual event brings together volunteers of all ages with seniors in various JF&CS programs. Volunteers assist in transporting elders to and from their homes, as well as singing. The generations celebrate the holiday together.

Simon C. Fireman Community is a subsidized independent housing complex for people 62 years of age and older. Fireman has developed a model partnership program with Curry College nursing students learning on-the-ground skills to become compassionate and knowledgeable care providers. In addition, the Fireman Community has a regular pen-pal program, a partnership with the Telem Jewish teen service initiative and regular multigenerational trip opportunities to connect residents with youth in the Greater Boston community. Keyword: Shared Site

Designed to provide Boston teens with quality after-school arts programming and leadership training. The Peace Drum Project helps teens from different backgrounds, schools, and neighborhoods develop artistic, problem solving and critical thinking skills together.

music Unites is a multigenerational music program that operates from the premise that music can be a common denominator that unites us all, no matter our ages or backgrounds. Each week, local high school students teach older adults how to play musical instruments (voice, piano, guitar, and drums). Program participants are developing meaningful relationships with music as the medium; the high school students have become teachers and the older adults are realizing that there is no such thing as being "too old" when it comes to learning something new and achieving one's goals. Keyword: Shared Site

The new Plymouth Council on Aging Center is located nearby Plymouth North High School. Students visit the center twice a month during meal times and perform for the seniors. Keyword: Shared Site

HRC Multigenerational programs include a weekly pre-school program in, Alzheimer’s Buddies with Harvard College, a partnership with Maimonides School (grades 3-6 for various programs throughout the year) for holiday celebrations and friendly visits and regular interns and volunteers from University of Massachusetts and Wheelock College. Keyword: Shared Site