Intergenerational Program Database

Our Youth in Service Program engages groups of 8- to 18-year-olds in meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout the city of Chicago. These customized service projects and programs are built, based on the interests and schedule of our youth group, to meet a critical need in Chicago. We work to ensure that students are educated about social issues, engaged in meaningful service and empowered to be agents of change in their community long after their time serving with Chicago Cares is over. Some of our most popular projects include: Senior Breakfast Clubs: Prepare a hot meal for low-income seniors and facilitate intergenerational activities; Environmental Projects: Help maintain the city’s green space through the removal of invasive plant species, trash clean up and planting; Hunger Programs: Sort and pack food at a food bank or prepare and serve food at a soup kitchen; Working with Adults with Disabilities: Use your creative juices to put on an arts and crafts fair for the clients at a day-time work center for adults with disabilities

Connecting Generations invites senior citizens interested in learning how to use the Internet. The program is free and connects seniors one-on-one with student volunteers from Eastern Illinois University who will teach about Internet technology.

District 214 High School students and residents hold an annual spring prom organized by high school and older adult volunteers. The planning committee meets every two weeks to plan the prom. The first prom was held in the spring of 1989. The event allows people from different generations to be together, create and share memories. The district also offers an intergenerational computer class. The A-OK Home Maintenance program operates twice a year, in the spring and fall. Our high school students, under adult supervision, provide older, low-income adults who are at least 60 years old with small maintenance projects in their homes.

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois - 200 + RSVP older adult volunteers serve the community by mentoring, tutoring, and supervising in schools' afterschool programs, Kids Against Hunger projects, Parks and Rec. event assistance, children's literature fests, QC Youth Conference, 4-H, high school projects, adult literacy, CASA, children's museums, and more.

Children ages 6-18 and residents at the Clare Oaks Retirement Community are matched as reading and writing buddies.  Participants will read a children’s book and exchange letters monthly with their partners

An activity project that reaches across generations and teaches young people about growing older and the normal physical changes that occur with age. It also teaches those who come in contact with older citizens how to effectively communicate with them and serve their needs. U. if IL extension project 4-H awareness

Foster Grandparents Program- Senior volunteers who work as foster grandparents offer friendship, education, wisdom, assistance and one-on-one mentorship to their young mentees. Many of these youth are experiencing environmental issues at home that often interfere with their learning. The volunteers provide them with basic human nurturing and make sure that their basic needs are met. They also work to ensure the youth get the help they need with their schoolwork, teaching these young children everything from social skills to the alphabet.

The IEA/NEA SP and the IEA/NEA Retired Program have combined efforts to offer a mentoring program to students who are entering the field of education. This program offers students the opportunity to work with a retired teacher in a mentoring relationship.

H.O.M.E. helps Chicago’s low-income seniors maintain their independence by providing services unlike any organization in the City of Chicago. Intergenerationally, HOME maintains three intergenerational affordable houses where seniors choose between individual apartments or, for residents who need some assistance, shared living

The initiative brings together elementary school children, high school students and young adults from area colleges to the Addington Place community to spend time and develop new relationships. Activities vary and include craft making and reading, as well as community service projects, such as making fleece blankets for local hospitals.