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The Intergenerational Initiative fosters the mindset that we are at our best when older and younger generations address problems together. It is a personal commitment of thousands, perhaps millions, to include multigenerational approaches as a part of education, public policy, and community life. The notion is as old democracy, it comes from our roots, our ancestors: it is our heritage and our legacy.
Retirees are an important resource for education and student success. That idea is the force behind the Intergenerational Initiative. Founded by Jane Angelis in 1986, with support from the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the project fosters intergenerational engagement and leadership in schools and on campuses throughout the State.
The Intergenerational Initiative is a partnership of more than 70 organizations representing, retirees, students, service organizations, business, state agencies, and education at all levels. The long-term goal is to establish an infrastructure of retiree involvement that reaches schools and campuses throughout Illinois. The project is housed in the Office of the Associate Chancellor for Diversity at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
An educational system that taps the talents and leadership of all ages
That system is built by engaging all generations:
. . . As individuals where generations benefit in one-on-one interaction as tutors, mentors, and historians.
. . . As communities and neighborhoods where partnerships and coalitions are conceived and
organizations find common ground
. . . As states and countries where public policy endorses and supports the cooperation between
generations and cultures.
We must emphasize the value of individuals by tapping their skills
from the earliest years until the last moments of life,
thus enlisting untold talents to address the challenges of education
Build an infrastructure of intergenerational involvement that taps the skills and leadership of retirees and students to improve education
- » to foster communication and contact between
generations and cultures
- » to enrich the educational experience through lifelong service
and learning
- » to encourage creative thinking and approaches to solve the
challenges of education
- » to publicize the stories about younger and older generations
The Illinois Intergenerational Initiative was founded by
the Illinois Board of Higher Education in 1986 to involve older adults
in education as tutors, mentors, and sharers of their life experiences.
Individuals from 40+ organizations came together for a retreat at
Allerton Park to discuss the potential for a statewide coalition that
would promote intergenerational development. Representatives from
universities, community colleges, aging organizations, elementary and
secondary groups, and state agencies discussed the roles their
organizations could play in this new initiative.
Participants said that one of the retreat's biggest benefits was that it
brought together people who were working parallel and had much in
common. Also considered valuable was the time spent analyzing
organizations to determine the potential for promoting intergenerational
programs. Everyone made commitments on how they could work together. As
a follow-up and to promote communication within the fledgling network, a
quarterly newsletter named Continuance was established.
The original steering committee included the Illinois Community College
Board, the Illinois Department on Aging, the Board of Regents, the Board
of Governors, the Illinois State Board of Education, and Southern
Illinois University. A central focus in the early years was the creation
of awareness and interest among leaders and decision makers, through
publications, meetings, and advocacy for intergenerational approaches.
Nearly 20 years have passed since the first retreat, and work continues
to enrich education through intergenerational programs. Most recently,
the Senate Forum on Intergenerational Leadership brought new momentum
for intergenerational efforts.
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• Chicago Educational Alliance
• Chicago State University
• DePaul University
• Eastern Illinois University
• Federation of Independent IL
Colleges and Universities
• Governors State University
• Illinois State University
• National Louis University
• North Central College
• Northeastern IL University
• Northern Illinois University
• Roosevelt University
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
• Southern Illinois University System
• University of Illinois at Chicago
• University of Illinois at Springfield
• University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• University of Illinois System
• Xavior University
• Western Illinois University
• Illinois Community College Board
• Illinois Community College Trustees Association
• Illinois Council of Community College Presidents
•Illinois Community College Faculty Assoc.
• American Federation of Teachers
• Chicago Public Schools
• Illinois Association of Regional
Superintendents of Schools
• Illinois Association of School Administrators
• Illinois Association of School Boards
• Illinois Education Association
• Illinois Principals Association
• Illinois PTA
• Illinois State Board of Education |
• AARP
• Chicago Department on Aging
• Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging
• Illinois Association of RSVP Directors
• Illinois Association of Senior Centers
• Illinois Coalition on Aging
• Illinois Retired Teachers Association
• Service Corps of Retired Executives
• State Universities Annuitants Association
• American Family History Institute
• American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
• American Indian Center
• Changing Worlds
• Chicago Historical Society
• Illinois Humanities Council
• Illinois State Historical Society
• Mexican Fine Arts Center
• Chicago Metropolitan Intergenerational Committee
• HURRAH (Naperville)
• Illinois Campus Compact
• Illinois Coalition for Community Service
• Illinois Commission for Volunteerism
& Community Service
• Illinois Corporation for National Service
• Voices for Illinois Children
• Working in the Schools (WITS)
• Aging
• Children and Family Services
• Corrections
• Historic Preservation
• Human Services
• Public Health
• Secretary of State
• State Archives
• State Library
• Veterans Affairs |
Contact Information
Intergenerational Initiative, Project of the Illinois Board
of Higher Education
Office of the Associate Chancellor of
Diversity
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Mailcode 4341
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-453-1186
Fax: 618-453-4295
Email: intnews@siu.edu
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