Intergenerational Innovations

by Kelly J. Phanco

(Right) Eva Tannenbaum Cummins, an Intergenerational Innovations volunteer, interacting with students after presenting a one-act play about her childhood experiences in Nazi Germany.

The mission of Intergenerational Innovations, a Seattle nonprofit organization, is to connect people across generations by engaging elders and young people in collaborative volunteer service to each other and our community.  

Intergenerational Innovations provides opportunities for seniors to form intergenerational relationships in the following award-winning programs: 

Kinder Korps teams children with caring elders as tutors and mentors, providing individual attention to children, and classroom assistance to teachers. We train full-time volunteers to recruit, coordinate and nurture senior tutors and mentors, who in turn bring about academic achievement in students at risk for failure.

Computer Pals provides opportunities for elders to learn how to use the computer through middle school and high school-aged tutors, followed up by forming educational e-mail relationships with younger children and occasional social gatherings. 

Caring Communities presents a variety of creative community partnerships bringing together groups of neighboring elders and children to share learning activities. Examples include multicultural celebrations, exploring the arts, and oral history projects.

Intergenerational Dialogues, a program offered through partnership with the Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens, provides opportunities for elders to mentor children by sharing their wisdom, experiences, and knowledge with children in a classroom setting. This program connects large groups of children and elders in life-changing interactions. 

Even though many seniors initially volunteer in a program for the purpose of helping children learn, they tell us the best part of their experience is what they receive from the children. Beverly Kelly, a retired teacher who regularly reads stories to children, told us, "I have so much fun when I am with them, and I am so filled with satisfaction and love when I leave that I feel like the richest, most blessed person in the world."

Eva Tannenbaum Cummins (pictured at top), a local actress who performs a one woman play of her childhood in Nazi Germany, describes her experience: "Every time I come back home I am on a wonderful, wonderful high. Those kids! I am always overwhelmed by their warm reception. It is amazingly difficult to describe the effect it has on me. I am totally, totally, energized. I get so much. I get love and am able to connect with the stage, which has been such a big part of my life. I also get the chance to educate our children. We have such a short time to mold them, and they need to be taught."
  
Locations

The joy of intergenerational connections radiates from nine host sites throughout Seattle:

South Seattle: Brighton Elementary, Emerald City Outreach Ministries, White Center Salvation Army Senior Center

Central Area: YMCA of Greater Seattle School Age Enrichment programs at T.T. Minor, Thurgood Marshall, and Bailey Gatzert, as well as IWASIL School and Boys and Girls Club

North Seattle: North Seattle Family Center, Daniel Bagley Elementary

The Intergenerational Dialogue Program, hosted by the Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens, provides opportunities for seniors to volunteer at all of these sites, and many more.

Get In On the Fun

Start forming special friendships with children today. Call Shennay at Intergenerational Innovations' main office, 206-525-8181, or visit the Intergenerational Innovations web site. Spending your time helping the youngest generation learn will fill your heart with joy. 

How lucky is the child who will be touched by the skills, wisdom and support that only YOU can provide!

Kelly J. Phanco is the Executive Director of Intergenerational Innovations.