What is the Youth + Senior Connections Program?
Well Designed, Community-Based Intergenerational Programming
The Youth + Senior Connections Program bridges generations by bringing together senior citizens and student volunteers from local schools. Using the Write My LifeBook platform, seniors’ life stories are captured with the help of students, who serve as technology mentors. In this mutual mentorship, seniors share their wisdom and life experiences so that students can gain valuable insights into life lessons. Together, they create deep connections through meaningful shared experiences.
This collaboration fosters deep connections and mutual learning. It encourages students to view others through a lens that doesn’t rely on assumptions. By hearing someone’s story, they gain insights that can reshape their perceptions, and help uncover the values, experiences, and common ground that unite us all.
The videos below highlights some of the impactful moments shared between students and seniors, demonstrating the profound effect these connections have on everyone involved and the community.
Ignites Student Potential
Active Listening and Real-world Communication:
Develop active listening and communication skills to help students work together, build relationships, and engage in respectful conversations.
Empathy in Action:
Identify, acknowledge, and respond with empathy to others’ feelings and opinions, helping students understand different perspectives and engage with others both in and outside the classroom.
Equity-Focused Future Thinkers:
Cultivate innovative thinking and embrace diversity through intergenerational activities, celebrating unique perspectives for tomorrow’s challenges.
Meaningful Community Volunteer Hours:
Encourage students to step outside the classroom, make a positive impact, and support community growth while earning required volunteer hours.
Elevates Senior Engagement
Well-being Through Meaningful Connections:
Listening and connecting with younger generations boosts seniors’ well-being, lets their stories be heard, and provides joy and shared experiences.
Seniors as Community Mentors:
Empower seniors to take on the role of mentors, fostering meaningful engagement with youth and allowing them to contribute their wisdom while playing an important part in the larger community.
Cognitive Engagement and Mental Vitality:
Promote cognitive engagement through active participation, helping seniors maintain mental agility and vitality through enriching activities.
Preserving Personal Histories for Families:
Preserve personal histories, allowing families to cherish a legacy book that honors their loved ones’ stories for generations to come.
To find a community partner simply submit a request through our Contact Us form. Please include the name of your organization and indicate if you are an organization that serves seniors or students.
FAQs
How are community partners matched?
Partnerships start by a request from an organization. Typically the senior-focused organization requests student volunteers to assist seniors. Through the Youth + Senior Connections Program we reach out to local school districts in your area to find a student volunteer partnership. Once a community partner is found, we work to prepare students, establish best practices, and help set the schedule of meetings with both organizations.
What is the role of the student volunteers?
Although the students’ main role is to serve as a technology mentor using the Write My LifeBook platform, they provide so much more to the seniors. They provide a listening ear as seniors recount their life experiences as well as an opportunity for a genuine social interaction with the younger generation. As students share their technology know-how, they are mentored by the wisdom of seniors recounting their life memories.
Who writes and prints the seniors’ books?
LifeBooks are written and printed directly by Write My LifeBook. Seniors will receive a beautifully written and designed hardbound book. The end product does not depend on whether seniors work with student volunteers on the Write My LifeBook platform or use the platform independently.
“It’s been a resounding overall happiness working with the kids and my residents love the experience of talking to someone so many generations removed. They have a chance to bond with the students. The more social people can be as they age, the better their overall health. Activities directors should absolutely do this program since it only provides benefits for your residents. Plus, residents get a book of their life- what’s better than that!”
Tristen Cox
Activities Director, Canterbury of Twinsburg
What Students, Teachers, and Administrators are Saying
“In my twelve years of school, there have been countless essays, numerous assignments, tedious worksheets and projects. However, the majority of lessons that have had a significant impact on me were not taught in the classroom.
One school experience I’ll never forget is the LifeBooks Project. It taught me how much we could learn and understand one another if we only took the time to be intentional in our conversations."
"The Youth + Senior Connections Program has allowed our gifted students to get outside of their comfort zones. They are very engaged in the process and are excited about the final product.More importantly, they are learning stories and historical perspectives of an older generation who have a lot of life lessons to teach them. It's great gifted programming for Manchester Local School students because it requires a lot of higher level thinking skills but it also teaches students to interact socially."
"The students are excited to meet with their senior partners. To hear the conversations and the laughter between the senior citizens and the students is wonderful.
Of aspect of the academic value is that students are able to listen, process and articulate another person's experiences. Students are learning to become more empathetic. It benefits my gifted students because it's giving them the opportunity to develop in new ways."
