Intergenerational Program Database

Generation Exchange is an intergenerational storytelling (oral history) project designed to increase social interaction between youth and older adults. Generation Exchange also offers the opportunity to preserve and carry on local history to future generations. Through Generation Exchange, every older adult in the greater Kansas City region will have the opportunity to tell their story. The goal of this project is to create a collection of stories that document memories and experiences related to neighborhood life, historical events, and cultural experiences that shaped the lives of previous generations

CATCH brings children and adults age 50+ together to learn good eating and physical activity habits for a lifetime. The program combats obesity by engaging adults age 50+ as mentors to teach healthy lifelong habits to kids in grades K-5. Adults in the program benefit in several ways. Research shows that volunteers have lower rates of depression and mortality and greater functional ability than those who do not volunteer. As they promote healthy habits for kids and for themselves, they also experience the rewards of meaningful community service.

The annual Intergenerational Rock Band brings together Drury music therapy students along with older adults to preform a wide range of songs. Older adults come from The Gardens retirement facility and Drury's Institute of Mature Learners.

Do you want kids in your community to eat better and exercise more? Consider volunteering for OASIS CATCH Healthy Habits, an after-school program that connects adults age 50+ with kids in grades K-5 to learn about good eating habits and play active games. The program combats obesity by engaging adults age 50+ as mentors to teach healthy lifelong habits to kids in grades K-5. It’s a fun way to be healthy yourself while you help kids learn good eating and physical activity habits for a lifetime. No experience needed, just your enthusiasm and interest in helping kids. Training and materials are provided.

This program was established in 1978 between our city and the city of Higashimurayama. The mission is to promote friendship and understanding of cultures through citizen diplomacy. Students will come to put on a musical presentation and visit with our seniors at the Palmer Center.

OASIS Tutoring is an in-school, curriculum-based literacy program that pairs older adult volunteer tutors with children in grades K-3 who have been identified as academically at risk because they are reading below grade level. New tutors complete 12 hours of training in the OASIS approach to literacy. Children are selected by their teachers and are paired with OASIS tutors. The tutor training and OASIS session plans are designed to align with state learning standards. Tutors work one-on-one with students, making a commitment to work with a child at least once a week for a full school year. The tutor reads quality literature with the child, writes the child’s thoughts in an OASIS journal, the student reads his/her journal entries, and they practice skill-building activities such as letter or word recognition and vocabulary exploration. OASIS tutors offer the one-on-one support that classroom teachers would like to provide to individual students – but they don’t have time for during the school day. In this literacy-based mentoring program, one-on-one OASIS tutoring sessions with a caring older adult also build confidence and self-esteem, forming the foundation for a better attitude toward reading and language arts and improved academic performance.

High school service learning students and older adults work together in teams deliver meals to homebound older adults

Building Bridges is a community-based intergenerational program to help bring generations together for meaningful interactions and experiences. Education, friendship, and caring are major components. The program evaluation results showed that Building Bridges not only helped young generations practice character traits but also have more positive perceptions of growing old.

Since 2007, Lee's Summit R-7 School District hosts two Senior Citizens’ School Tours in local schools to connect adults to their students and schools. Close to 375 local seniors have participated in the program. The opportunities are provided to seniors two times each school year and are free to participants. The tours for senior citizens are part of the R-7 School District’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan and were recommended by a community team. This free 2-hour tour includes student-led walking tours, lunch, and an informational presentation.

The Volunteer Intergenerational Center recruits volunteers of ALL ages to strengthen our communities by mobilizing volunteer action and accelerating nonprofit success. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program involves those individuals 55 and over in volunteer service by matching their personal interests and making use of their lifelong skills and experience.