Intergenerational Program Database

Intergenerational Multi-Arts Program (IMAP) brings together students from Milwaukee schools and older adults from assisted living and adult day programs. The focus is to build community between intergenerational groups through the creative arts. The IMAP curriculum approaches intergenerational relationship-building from the theory that communities that share traditions and communicate through positive creative expression will be stronger and more connected.

Students from Rosenow Elementary School make monthly visits to Lakeview to visit, share refreshments, make cards and pictures and spend quality time chatting with their senior buddy.

The Intergenerational Program connects older adults with children and youth in Dane County. Intergenerational volunteers work with students across Dane County, volunteering as tutors, computer buddies, guest speakers, and as support to students in the classroom. Intergenerational volunteers also work with children at various community nonprofit organizations in Dane County.

Sauk Trail fourth-grade students and senior citizens from around the area teamed up on a project this past year that combined art and the environment. The result was more than 60 pieces of art that demonstrated the students’ concern about the importance of preserving local nature. The program began by observing and discussing nature, wildlife, and habitats seen at Pheasant Branch Conservancy. The students then spent an afternoon interviewing senior citizens at Middleton Glen Retirement Community, Heritage Senior Living, and Middleton Senior Center to hear what the environment was like when the seniors were fourth-graders. Back in the classroom, students discussed what they learned, along with what has changed in nature, the environment, and in life. They agreed there is a strong need to protect natural resources for future generations. Students in each of the three fourth-grade classrooms created a booklet, drawing a scene from nature for each letter of the alphabet and writing about it.

Grandparent/grandchild camp is a half week day camp for grades K-up. Adults and children camp in our campground with their equipment. Grandparents and grandchildren will join our staff who provide programs that encourage fellowship and interaction. Two lunches are included for the children and grandparents. There are optional activities for adults during the day.

RSVP BABES (Beginning Alcohol and Addictions Basic Education Studies) is a prevention program using colorful puppets to encourage children to live happy, healthy lives free from abuse. Trained RSVP volunteers using BABES puppets and a script present accurate, nonjudgmental and age-appropriate information to all second grade classes in Portage County. The program is designed to help children by promoting self-esteem, defining peer pressure and practicing good decision-making skills. The program also helps the children understand and develop skills necessary to cope with unhappy situations and stresses the importance of asking for help.

In B.A.B.E.S (Beginning Alcohol and Addictions Basic Education Studies)trained volunteers use animal puppets to educate students about substance abuse, coping skills and peer pressure. Senior volunteers serve as role models, developing caring relationships with students over the course of the five weeks they are in the classroom.

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.

Every summer, the Wisconsin Alumni Association hosts Grandparents University (GPU), a two-day program that brings children ages 7 to 14 and their grandparents together to learn from each other and to experience the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s dynamic campus atmosphere. You’ll have the opportunity to explore a “major” and participate in hands-on activities led by top UW faculty and staff.

An RSVP Folk Fair is a demonstration of arts, crafts, hobbies, everyday items and unusual or interesting items-some from "years ago", some more recent. The fairs, offered at local schools, serve as an informative way to show the younger generation what older adults do for hobbies and what life was like when older adults were young.