Generation to Generation connects senior citizens and high school students for the purpose of forging meaningful connections and ultimately documenting the living history of Ulster County’s senior community. Ulster County’s youth volunteers work with Project staff to gain competency in interviewing, recording and interpersonal skills. Based on the successful program that took place in 2009 through UlsterCorps entitled Harvesting a Lifetime, seniors are paired with high school students, develop a comfortable relationship with them, get to know one another and ultimately collect the pertinent stories of the senior’s life.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic facing our community, this project was being conducted remotely. It is dependent on some technological tools in order to facilitate these meetings and the ultimate capturing of stories.
Timeline: There were (3) 45-minute training sessions for youth volunteers which will cover all aspects of expectations for the students. This included an orientation with detailed lessons regarding interviewing skills and quality videotaping instruction. Youth volunteers were expected to contribute approximately 3 hours per week, for seven weeks. The seniors also had a one-on-one meeting with project coordinators to explain the project and answer any questions or concerns.
Project Schedule:
Orientation May 27th, training sessions June 8th, 10th & 26th, 2020, followed by individual sessions with mentors, and a Service Conversation and Celebration held July 15th, 2020. Special thanks to Project Facilitators Ilene Cutler and Christopher Nostrand, and to participating seniors, students and mentors!
Watch Excerpts:
