Intergenerational Program Database

Dynamics Community Theater is an intergenerational volunteer program in the Tallmadge City Schools. It begins when each new cast and crew assembles– young people sitting with their peers and adults off to the side. Drawn together by the roles they play, they begin to interact. Both students and adults learn and grow from the experience. By the time they’ve taken their final bows, they are like family! Intergenerational friendships made during productions continue. More than 700 people from the ages of 3 to 80 have been involved in some capacity with one of our productions.

The OEA-Retired Intergenerational Mentoring Program is an ideal way for retired educators to continue their commitment to public education in Ohio, to the children who attend our schools, and to the pre-professionals who will benefit from their experience.

The Beacon After School Program is offered throughout the week by the Trinity Lutheran Church. The teachers share the love of Christ as they help with homework, tell Bible stories, and lead many exciting activities. This ministry began several years ago here and currently serves over forty children in grades K-4 from the Ashland City Schools. These elementary-aged children are referred to us by the Ashland schools' liaisons.

Garden Mosaics is a youth and community education program that combines science learning with intergenerational mentoring, multicultural understanding and community action. Garden Mosaics was created at Cornell University and is now maintained and hosted at the American Community Gardening Association.

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.

Based at The Intergenerational School and Case Western Reserve University, a multidisciplinary team is planning a video "game" where children and elders can work together using their avatars to save a forest from the effects of global climate change. Broadband connectivity will be used to allow people to exercise together but separated in space using MS Kinnect technology. The participant will learn pattern recognition and systems thinking while exercising and having fun. Outcomes include executive function and eventually other

Based at The Intergenerational School and Case Western Reserve University, a multidisciplinary team is planning a video "game" where children and elders can work together using their avatars to save a forest from the effects of global climate change. Broad band connectivity will be used to allow people to exercise together but separated in space using MS Kinnect technology. The participant will learn pattern recognition and systems thinking while exercising and having fun. Outcomes include executive function and eventually other

The Brain Emporium is the Cleveland area’s first computerized brain fitness center and is specifically designed to engage and mentally stimulate older adults. Classes are free to older community members and are taught by Professor T.J. McCallum of Case Western Reserve University and his students. Classes on brain health are also held at The Brain Emporium, and there are also (computerized) programs for those who have suffered strokes.

The Broadview Heights and Brecksville departments of human services collaborate with students from H.U.D.D.L.E., the drug prevention student organization at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, to host an annual “Intergenerational Senior to Senior Prom.”

This program began in 2006 as a yearly program where students from Fairmont High School would volunteer at senior centers and senior living facilities. It has now expanded to students volunteering at about 10 facilities, elementary schools and churches. The students plant flowers at the centers, started a community garden they maintain, bake and deliver cookies for older adults who live alone, paint, repair, and participate in after school games. This program has really grown and has half of the graduating class participating in the activities. The "Seniors Helping Seniors" project receives grant money from the Community Foundation for Kettering and Partners for Healthy Youth. The community outreach always occurs the same week the underclassmen at Fairmont High School take Ohio Graduation Tests.