Intergenerational Program Database

To combat the loneliness felt by individuals with Alzheimer’s, the Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s at UCLA launched the TimeOut Program in January 2016. In this program, each UCLA student is paired with a senior who has Alzheimer’s and spends time with them three hours every week at the OPICA Adult day Care and Caregiver Support Center. Together, they participate in various activities to enjoy themselves and build strong, lasting relationships.

The Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center has always enjoyed its reputation as a most active intergenerational center. Enhanced activity by all ages is evident here. The center is buzzing with activities for young and old including summer programs for grandchildren and grandparents.

The East County Intergenerational Garden at Cuyamaca College is a place where preschoolers can learn about how food is grown and to enjoy healthy eating, all with the help of local senior volunteers.

YCS programs engage youth in community service activities that promote increased awareness of the needs of their communities and the development of individual community service self-efficacy, and positive emotional and behavioral health. Many of these programs involve an intergenerational component including conversations with senior citizens and visits to senior centers

A program developed to bridge the gap between generations. The mission of this program is a senior companionship volunteer program through YES. The youth provides services ranging from recreational activities, housekeeping and companionship. Services provided consist of gardening, cleaning, wood- stacking, laundry, bingo cards and scrabble. Every Saturday volunteers either go to a senior citizens home or and independent living facility and play games with seniors, help tidy up their apartments, or help with small task like filing papers. This program was developed to help break down stereotypes, spread positive messages about seniors, and work at reducing prejudice.

VIP is a junior board serving Meals on Wheels in San Diego and is comprised of young professionals. They volunteer the first Saturday of every month

YouthServe is a program through a volunteer center dedicated to connecting youth ages 11-17 with rewarding community service projects across the Santa Cruz County area. The youth provide a senior tech day at the Santa Cruz senior computing center once a month. This is an opportunity for youth to help seniors navigate technology and stay connected with their community with their personal electronic devices. From email to ipads to smart phones.

Law students develop key lawyering skills through representation of low-income elderly patients at a UCSF medical clinic. Students assist clients in legal issues related to health, such as advance health care planning, estate planning, and public benefits.

Eskaton’s Intergenerational Initiative — with the theme “One Nation, Under Age” — encourages positive intergenerational relations by connecting the organization’s community living residents and homebased support participants with local schoolchildren and young adults. The Initiative features a wide array of mutually beneficial learning opportunities, as well as social, cultural and entertainment components. The Initiative’s premier program, Eskaton Kids Connection, partners a number of Eskaton communities with local elementary schools to create intergenerational friendships. Students and their older adult “buddies” meet regularly to read, write and share with one another. Eskaton also collaborates with California State University, Sacramento to offer gerontology, nursing and social work students the opportunity to earn credits and first-hand experience while living with older adults in an Eskaton community. Eskaton communities also sponsor “Senior Ball” events with local high schools; provide student internships; host art shows and student performances; plan and maintain gardens; and support local scout troops.

Workforce Academy for Youth's (WAY) mission is to give foster youth the opportunity to learn and gain work experience to better prepare for a county position (or equivalent job) and/or to encourage him or her to continue his or her education. The County of San Diego implements WAY in September 2006 to provide workforce experience to you who are "aging out" of the foster care system and transitioning to self-sufficiency. WAY is a six-month paid internship program that provides employment, training, and mentorship to emancipating foster youth age 17-21. The program unites youth with older adult Life Skill Coaches to support the development of work and life skills.