Intergenerational Program Database

Sages & Seekers is a non-profit organization designed to bridge the generational gap between our two most vulnerable and neglected age groups, seniors and teens, in order to generate the exchange of valuable wisdom, strengthen community, and dissolve age-related segregation. Seniors and teens spend 8 weeks sharing stories.

La Mesa's Intergenerational Safe Routes to School Volunteer Program is designed to increase safety measures near our elementary and middle schools and help ease parents' concerns about their children walking or biking to school. The program recruits active older adults (50 years and older) and trains them on pedestrian and bicycle safety and the importance of physical activity for health.

Stagebridge brings seniors trained in storytelling into classrooms. This program helps at-risk students develop listening and language skills.

EngAGE Across Generations helps older adults become involved with younger people in their communities – as mentors, sages, and neighbors. The program offers an opportunity for people to inventory their skills and desires and provide places where those can be utilized to help guide youth through the stages of their lives. EngAGE connects with local schools and other organizations to provide support for their endeavors. Examples include intergenerational arts programs, mentoring, read aloud programs and even making films.

In this annual event students and their grandparents spend the day together. The event is held on the CBU campus and features “college” classes, a chapel service, a mini-concert, campus tours, lunch (featuring entertainment by the CBU Theater Arts Musical Group), and much quality social time with grandchildren and friends.

Art to Heart, an art program at Studio Channel Islands Art Center is pairing elementary school students with seniors for an eight-week class that allows the two age groups to communicate, work together, create art and learn.

Both grandparents (other family members) and children develop a deeper understanding of the commonalities and differences between generations, ultimately capturing knowledge and values that otherwise may not be transferred. Grandparents, family members, and special friends will experience, first hand, the wonders of our performing arts program as students share various performances from Kindergarten through 8th grade. From here, visitors will spend time with students in the classroom space, participate in specially designed activities, and leave engaged and inspired to learn even more together in the future.

The Next Chapter enables high school youth to develop profound connections to the Holocaust by interviewing survivors. By participating in the program, students create a special relationship with a local survivor.

The annual Walk of Ages is a family oriented event that raises much needed funds for the Jewish Home. Walkers and runners of all ages collect donations from sponsors for this fun event.

Roots and Shoots is an intergenerational gardening program that consists of the Roots, community volunteers, and the Shoots, Palo Alto third graders, who work together to learn about gardening, our environment, nutrition and community. The Shoots learn about science concepts through garden-based lessons and hands-on activities. Together, the Roots and Shoots help maintain the Edible Garden by planting, weeding, composting, and harvesting produce to prepare and enjoy a weekly healthy snack, donating the remaining harvest to local food banks. By working together, the Shoots learn the many benefits and importance of volunteering and giving back to the community. In recent years, the group has donated 300 lbs of fresh, organically grown fruits and vegetables annually.