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 video below highlights some of the impactful moments shared between students and seniors, demonstrating the profound effect these connections have on both groups. Inspired by the success of the original Lifebook Project, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, this program continues to build on the legacy of creating strong intergenerational bonds.
The LifeBook Project
The Youth + Senior Connections Program Impacts Everyone
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.
Join us in shaping compassionate, open-minded individuals ready to make positive contributions to both school and community. Together, let’s inspire a future where differences unite!
Boosting Seniors’ Well-Being
Seniors Share Heartfelt Connections
Find a Community Partner
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 a school district.
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 is for the well-being of my residents that they feel part of the larger community. When our residents get around children it brightens their day. The mixing of generations is great because it keeps our residents current, and lets the younger generation see how the lives of the seniors work.”
Mary Adkins
Senior Living Administrator
What Students, Administrators and Parents 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. There is one school experience I’ll never forget, 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 allowed students to create connections with those within the community. For students, it was clear that this experience allowed them to see how what they were learning in the classroom could have a lasting impact in the community.”
“At an age when students are known developmentally to be self-focused, these young people looked beyond themselves, and engaged the older generation. What they found were stories of love, sorrow, wisdom, and experience. My son and his classmates formed friendships with the residents, looking forward to their next time together. The investment of these relationships, kept the students engaged and motivated.”
