ROCKFORD: NORTHWESTERN IL
AREA AGENCY ON AGING
Seventh-graders hosted a breakfast for senior citizens and corresponded
with them to obtain information about their childhood. A second
letter targeted their teen years, and the third letter, their adulthood.
In another program, ten students were paired with a senior citizen
to record their memories as well as to learn more about the Internet.
BARRINGTON: BARRINGTON COUNCIL
ON AGING
An Adopt-a-Grandparent program pairs two students with an assigned
senior citizen that they will visit weekly during the school year.
An aging sensitivity training was conducted for students and a packet
of material helped the students to develop a final essay about their
visits throughout the year.
ROCK ISLAND: RSVP OF WESTERN
IL AND EASTERN IOWA
Two training sessions about reminiscing and storytelling were held
in Rock Island. Two events are scheduled for senior citizens to
attend and tell their story. Another activity that is scheduled
will collaborate on the sustainability of the ‘Looking Back
to the Future."
PEORIA: CENTRAL IL AGENCY
ON AGING
Students will conduct oral history interviews with seniors and meet
with oral historians. The students received training on interviewing
to be used when each story is videotaped.
BLOOMINGTON: EAST CENTRAL
AAA
Residents from the healthcare facility tell their life stories. The
residents have also created a "Life Story" tool, which
is written stories by residents and displayed where all can read
them.
QUINCY: WEST CENTRAL IL AAA
Students from a high school journalism class will be trained on
interviewing seniors and then interview veterans at a nearby Veterans
Home. The Veterans will provide stories about life-influencing events
and reflect on their significance.
SPRINGFIELD: PROJECT LIFE AAA
Students from Porta High School will interview a WWII veteran and
learn about their experiences during the War. Other interviews will
include teaching, farming, coal mining, and working on the Illinois
River.
CARTERVILLE: EGYPTIAN AAA
Native Americans and coal miners will be interviewed and the stories
written by students.
CHICAGO: CHICAGO DEPARTMENT
ON AGING
Seniors were invited to attend a "stories party" at
6 different locations. They were instructed to bring photos and
memorabilia from the 1940's. Twenty-five seniors are participating
and students from a film workshop will videotape the stories.
OAK PARK: SUBURBAN AAA
Students will interview seniors to tell their life stories. These
sessions will be videotaped.
