Multiracial youth activism groups, based in working class and poor neighborhoods, seek to improve social conditions by organizing grassroots campaigns. Campaigns such as these, which require sophisticated planning, organizing, and advocacy skills, are noteworthy not just for their political impact, but also because of the insights they provide…

Explains intergenerational literacy, and provides responses from two educators who offer their perspectives and suggestions on intergenerational literacy programs. (MG)

At the community level, literacy improvement can no longer be the mission of a single organization. Successful literacy intervention is a family goal. Many are intrigued with the common sense of the new collaborative literacy programs and hope that they will succeed in breaking the intergenerational cycle of low literacy. (Author/JOW)

Notes the importance of elders in various Native American cultures and of drawing on personal memories of special older folks. Stresses the importance and value of contact between the generations. Urges schools to adopt intergenerational programs, citing the remarkable contributions older people can make to the lives of children. (TJQ)

Residential, familial, and recreational patterns of contemporary U.S. society tend to isolate the young from the old. Sensitivity to this isolation has prompted many human service agencies to seek ways to promote opportunities for constructive and ongoing interactions involving children and older persons. This paper provides insights and…

Describes intergenerational programs, usually in cities, that bring older adults into the schools and afterschool programs. These programs show senior citizens the many good qualities of children today and demonstrate for children that older adults still have much to contribute. (SLD)

Older volunteers are helping urban students in developing the confidence and skills to succeed. Older adults, with their life experience and strong commitment to social service, can make a special contribution in underfunded and understaffed urban schools.

This directory provides brief descriptions, addresses, and contact people for 6 learning partners, reading sites, 143 other literacy services, and 13 federal agencies that serve children and their families through READ*WRITE*NOW! (a year-round intergenerational program) and other literacy efforts. The directory provides the names of national…

Describes the play "Voices" created from 30 interviews with local residents and about 50 accompanying slide photographs. Notes that the interview subjects ranged from 15 to 91 years of age across as wide spectrum of the populace as possible. Describes how the production was an attempt to provide a hearing to a range of different voices, opinions…

Volunteers and other community-based assistants can relieve some of the financial burden brought on by school-budget cutbacks. This publication describes how enlisting the help of senior volunteers and workers benefits both children and seniors, and it presents some guidelines for implementation of intergeneration programs. The programs provide…

Intergenerational programs have become widespread since the mid-20th century, emphasizing "activities that increase cooperation and exchange between any two generations. Typically, they involve interaction between young and old in which there is a sharing of skills, knowledge, and experience" (Newman, 1986, p. 6). They developed in response to…

Community educators in six cities involved youth in documenting ethnic gardening practices with master gardeners. Interviews with 29 educators, 28 participating youth, and 4 gardeners found that youth learned about gardening, developed positive relationships with elders, and enhanced skills. Implementing participatory research required more…

Discusses results of a study of five initiatives which promote intergenerational relationships for at-risk youth. Discusses factors involved in the success of the initiatives, the relation between elder mentors and youths, and implications for policy. (RJC)

Objective: Develop, implement, and evaluate an intervention (a guided experiential assignment) to improve nutrition students' attitudes toward working with older adults. Design: A quasi-experimental design with an additional qualitative component (mixed methods). Setting: A North Central land-grant university. Participants: 100 college students…

Young and old joining together in intergenerational projects where they share their insights, skills, and experiences can strengthen community ties and improve the well-being of all participants. This bulletin explores ways both younger and older members of a community can work together on a crime prevention initiative. Such a partnership in…