A
Circle of Helping
Introduction
| Goal One | Goal
Two | Goal Three | Goal
Four | Goal Five | Goal
Six
How
Intergenerational Programs Achieve the Six National Educational
Goals
Illinoisans have an opportunity in the 1990s to make fundamental
improvements in the state's educational systems. To do so,
we must take full advantage of an existing and plentiful resource:
older adults.
As global forces reshape the once-formidable American economy,
layoffs and government belt-tightening are forcing institutions
at all levels to rethink their missions. Schools in particular
are under pressure to change. They represent America's best
hope of responding to the global economic challenge. Yet their
funding base is eroding. Their need for resources is greater
than ever before.
Older adults can help. They are already at work in cities
and towns throughout Illinois, spreading the wisdom and perspective
that comes with age. They work with infants, preschoolers,
high school students, and immigrant adults. The younger members
of these partnerships return the favor, carrying groceries
for seniors who cannot, reading books for those whose eyes
are failing, or just being friends, replacing the grandchildren
that in older societies were a more constant presence alongside
the aged.
Much more is possible. Though older residents often lack
the technical know-how that today's students must gain, seniors
possess what many young people lack: history, patience, a
deep knowledge of the human struggle. Flexibility and an ability
to change are considered essential skills in the new economy,
but they are old hat to America's senior citizens, who were
born before television, jet planes, and communication satellites.
With older adults working alongside our youth, more than
just educational challenges can be met. Where job mobility,
poverty, and other forces have severed family links, intergenerational
programs can create new ones. When senior citizens with today's
longer life spans find retirement an empty journey, intergenerational
connections can become a reason to get up in the morning.
The problems of modern society will not be solved quickly.
By fully integrating older adults into our educational systems,
Illinois will take a step towards accomplishing the educational
goals and restructuring communities where all ages work together
on a daily basis.
Top
of the Page
Power
of One Person
This report details a few of the hundreds of intergenerational
programs that already exist in Illinois. It demonstrates how
small initiatives, with little or no funding, contributory
significantly towards meeting the National Education Goals
of 1990. The diversity of programs is noteworthy and yet through
these very different ventures, several common themes are prominent.
First, individual commitments empower connections between
students and older persons. As the stories in this report
amply illustrate, most programs are not generated from the
higher levels of the bureaucracy. They come from the grass
roots, when a preschool teacher invites a seniors group into
the classroom, or when an individual with an idea organizes
a meeting and starts a program. Such initiative should be
encouraged and rewarded.
Collaboration between schools and community-based organizations,
partnerships between schools and retirement centers, and teachers
reaching out through civic organizations are only a few of
the ways these intergenerational programs have established
the spirit of cooperation. All ages and organizations must
work together and must understand that their programs will
benefit if they embrace an intergenerational approach.
Self-esteem is the third theme that flows through intergenerational
ventures. It is a natural by product of successful programs.
Children gain positive role models, surrogate grandparents,
mentors. They feel better about themselves and the people
around them. Teenagers struggling to develop values and to
control their energies find senior citizens a calming, stabilizing
influence. The increase in self-esteem is not limited to the
youth. Seniors, many of whom have become socially and physically
distant from their families, gain a great sense of contributing
when they have regular appointments with young people who
need them.
The most compelling reasons for expanding intergenerational
programs are the great benefits that accrue to all involved.
The gains made by children are matched by those of the adults
who help them. Those gains in turn rub off on the institutions
involved. A nursing home or senior center becomes a livelier,
better place; a school becomes calmer, happier, wiser. A circle
of helping is established, and like a pebble dropped into
a pond, the circle widens and produces changes around it as
it ripples.
The national education goals set in February 1990 are ambitious,
even daunting. To accomplish them will require extraordinary
effort. Yet with full participation at all levels of education
and with the help of older persons, they are achievable.
Jane Angelis, Ph.D., Director Illinois Intergenerational
Initiative
Top
of the Page
Acknowledgments
Sponsored by:
- American Association of Retired Persons
- Illinois Department on Aging
- Illinois Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse
- Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
- Illinois Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
- Illinois Department of Public Aid
- Secretary of State
- Illinois Board of Higher Education
- The Retirement Research Foundation
- Illinois Intergenerational Initiative April 1992 (Inside
front cover)
The
Illinois Intergenerational Initiative
The Illinois Intergenerational Initiative was established
in 1986 to strengthen education through the involvement of
older persons. Operating with funds from the Illinois Board
of Higher Education and the Retirement Research Foundation,
the Initiative serves as an information clearinghouse, a catalyst
for coalition development, and an advocate of the power of
each person to improve education.
The Initiative employs a networking and coalition approach
directed to two levels: the state leadership and the grass
roots. The state focus promotes partnerships and cooperation
between educational organizations, state agencies, and the
private sector. The grass roots effort assists educators,
service providers, retirees, and students in the creation
of new programs and expansion of existing ones.
This coalition effort has helped make Illinois a national
center of intergenerational ventures. More than 450 Illinois
residents took part in meetings over the past two years to
share their experiences and promote expansion of this new
field; this report is based on those meetings and a culminating
Circle of Helping conference in April 1991 in Chicago.
As Illinois faces up to economic pressures and challenges
within its educational systems, the Illinois Intergenerational
Initiative urges the state's political leaders, educators,
and human service professionals to look to older adults as
key allies in this exciting and important work.
For additional copies contact Jane Angelis, Illinois Intergenerational
Initiative, Anthony Hall 104, Southern Illinois University
at Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901. 618-453-1186 FAX 618-453-4295
Top
of the Page
A Tribute
to Sponsoring Organizations
Education can not stand alone and intergenerational ventures
cannot grow and become universal in our educational institutions
unless leaders encourage cooperation and help it flower. Often
interagency cooperation results when educators and service
providers work to accomplish something together. It is a tribute
to the sponsoring agencies and organizations, listed on the
opposite page, that they embrace and exemplify a role of interagency
cooperation.
"There
is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world: and
that is an idea whose time has come." Victor Hugo
Leadership
of the General Assembly
"Intergenerational relationships provide a course for
civic growth at a time when it is apparent both our youth
and our elderly need to be needed." Philip J. Rock, President
of the Senate
"Intergenerational programs provide services and contacts
which provide not only benefit to individuals, but provide
great assistance to our society as a whole." James Pate
Philip, Senate Minority Leader
"A Circle of Helping meetings will raise our level of
awareness toward intergenerational programs and begin anew
a dialogue between young and old alike." Lee Daniels,
House Minority Leader
American society has prospered through a tradition of people
helping people. I support the ambitious work of a Circle of
Helping, and encourage all the citizens of Illinois to give
of themselves for this effort." Michael J. Madigan, Speaker
of the House
Top
of the Page
Public
Systems of Higher Education
Intergenerational solutions, as exemplified in the programs
described in the Circle of Helping, make partnerships of two
of the richest resources in our society--the old and the young.
Roderick T. Groves, Chancellor, Board of Regents
"It is critical for all of us involved in education
to recognize the interdependence of generations in a cooperative
manner to enhance the quality of education." Thomas D.
Layzell, Chancellor, Board of Governors Universities
"The resource of knowledge, experienced, and life-seasoned
older adults is a natural one for providing role models for
the positive development of upcoming generations. Stanley
Ikenberry, President, University of Illinois
"In today's global and constantly changing society,
it is imperative that intergenerational educational opportunities,
which focus on lifelong learning, be included as an integral
part of education." Cary A. Israel, Exec. Director, Illinois
Community College Board
"The life of the mind knows no boundaries of age, gender,
or ethnicity. It is the touchstone that links all of humankind.
Let us be committed to fostering the full potential of this
human attribute in all its potential richness." James
M. Brown, Chancellor, SIU
"There are many educational and social benefits to be
derived for participants when persons of diverse age groups
are involved in the learning, helping process." Robert
Leininger, Superintendent, Illinois State Board of Education
Top
of the Page
High
expectations for a stronger Illinois
On behalf of the citizens of Illinois, we would like to take
this opportunity to extend our best wishes to the participants
of the Circle of Helping: Intergenerational Programs Achieving
the Six National Education Goals conference.
The future of our nation is being determined right now in
our classrooms, and older adults can help. We believe it is
of vital importance for older adults in the state of Illinois
to take an active and meaningful role in the education of
our children. This reflects our belief that high expectations
and a supportive attitude by a child's family and the community
are crucial to academic success.
The young minds being developed now are the same minds that
will provide both the leadership and the work force Illinois
businesses need in order to prosper and grow. The quality
of education that we provide to those youth will determine
the state's future. We can create stronger educational systems
by bringing older adults into the classrooms and by involving
our students with senior citizens. We urge all Illinois residents,
young and old, to make the most of this opportunity.
The programs mentioned in this report give great encouragement
for the successful completion of the six national education
goals. We urge all Illinois residents, young and old, to make
the most of this opportunity to take an active part in our
children's education.
Best regards, Jim and Brenda Edgar Governor and First Lady
of the State of Illinois
(inside back cover)
Acknowledgements
A special acknowledgement to the informal network of individuals
who provide support, encouragement, and wisdom. When the going
gets tough, the actions and words of this group bolster, strengthen,
and inspire. Experiencing such dedication and commitment from
public servants and educators assures the Circle of Helping.
Advisory
Board
- Christine Merrifield, Illinois Community College Board
- Pat Brady, Board of Governors
- Jan Costello, Illinois Department on Aging
- George Pintar, Illinois Community Education Association
- C.J. Sizemore, Department of Mental Health and Dev. Disabilities
- Gloria Lewis, Department of Children and Families Services
- Jerry Montague, Gilson-Brown Elementary School
- Timothy Andriano, Department of Rehabilitation Services
- Penny Neale, Belleville Area College
- Brenda Stewart, Benton High School
- Helene Block, Oakton Community College
- Wayne Sampson, Illinois School Boards Association
- Phil Kraft, Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse
- Mike Shore, Highland Community College RSVP
- Joan Wood, Pekin Public Library
- Elio De Arrudah, Chicago Public Library Literacy Program
- Maryjane Snyder, Executive Service Corps
- Marcia Escott, Illinois State University
- Frances Holliday, Chicago Public Schools
- Sally Petrone, Third Age, St John's Hospital
- Janet Ellis, Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging
- William Westberg, American Association of Retired Persons
- Len Sirotzki, DuPage-Kane Educational Service Center
- Carla Gosney, Quincy Retired Senior Volunteer Program
- Ann Bannister, Grant Elementary School, Chicago
- Charles Morris, Board of Regents
- Pat Cosgrove, Illinois Congress of Parents and Teachers
- Muriel Hawkins, Chicago State University
- Robert Hawkins, Emeritus, Southern Illinois University
- Jose Lopez, Illinois Department of Public Aid
- Allyson Zedler, Governor's Office of Voluntary Action
- Patrick Barry for his creativity and editorial genius.
- Bonnie Marx for her graphics and layout wizardry.
- Barbara Restor for her brilliant content suggestions and
cover design.
Top
of the Page
|
