INTERGENERATIONAL sponsored by USD290

Heart by Heart began in the spring of 1993 with a small Grand Pals program in Ottawa, Kansas. 14 years later the program, over 1000 students and 100 older adults are involved in someway throughout each school year.

Heart by Heart - it is our mission to create, develop, and sponsor intergenerated service. Each year with Heart by Heart, students and older adults will both be saying, "I made a difference!"

Heart by Heart Intergenerational Program Now in its second year, the Life Story Project will be enriching the relationships between youth and elderly individuals in our community. Mrs. Mitchell's OHS Art students will be drawing portraits of older adults at the Vintage Park Facility using photographs given to them. Ms. Heide's English students will then be interviewing those same residents and Life Story booklets will be created from the drawings and interviews. Both the residents and Vintage Park facility will be presented a copy of the interviews by the students. Students and older adults both enjoyed and benefited from the time spent together last year. Through discussing their past memories, older adults educated our younger generation on early transportation, life on the farm, outdoor plumbing, education and other experiences. From these interviews, older adults expressed the joy of reliving many memories from their lifetime. We continue to offer service projects to older adults in the community.

Intergenerational Program Benefits

For students:

  • enhances social skills
  • improves adacemic performance
  • increases stability
  • have the satisfaction of helping older adults through service 
For older adults:
  • allows older adults to remain productive and useful 
  • combats loneliness
  • improved health
  • intergenerational connections give older adults a reason to get up in the morning 
For teachers:
  • can support and enhance curriculum
  • older adults can give an extra 1 on 1 to students who need additional attention
  • able to give students the opportunity to learn about and provide service to older adults in the community 

For the community: 

  • volunteer oppurtunities connect people and promotes the value of community service
  • maximizes resources, human and financial 
  • inspires collaboration 
  • brings diverse groups together 
  • promotes the transmission of values and traditions

Contact me to help coordinate a service project for your class or school organization. Together we can work  to brighten the day of an older person in our community.  Examples are below, but the opportunities are endless!

 School Year and Summer Lunch Buddy Programs with the Senior Center and Area Retirement Homes

 Arts and Craft Projects for your students to make for Area Retirement Homes 

Activity field trips to the Retirement Homes 

Classroom Artist Workshops provided by older adults

Ottawa Life Story Project

Heart by Heart is looking for more caring individuals to join our volunteer base.  If you are interested in volunteering for Heart by Heart, please contact me by phone or e-mail to discuss the many volunteer opppurtunites we have to offer!   
 

Email or call me:

Cari Halliburton

heart@eckaaa.state.ks.us 

785-242-7123, ext. 117