Buddy Program - Unifying Generations in an effort of mutual understanding and tolerance.

Buddy Program Coordinator
Tony Phillips
Phone: 414-977-5030
E-mail: tphillips@stanncenter.org

May 6, 2010 - 6:00 p.m.
The Milwaukee County Department on Aging and St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care will honor 35 youths who have helped to bridge the gap between the younger and older generations of our community through their volunteer involvement at St. Ann Center and several other senior community centers in the city.
 
As a service-learning project the youths learned job dependability, attendance, communicating with the elderly through a caring and friendly outreach. Friendships were formed, wisdom and humor shared, and the youths had the opportunity to gather and share their experiences to learn from what they had experienced.
 
Youth participants who ranged in age from 12 to 16 years old, will be honored for: Leadership, Compassion and Perfect Attendance
 
The event, which will be the 1st Annual “Gwen T. Jackson” Award, will be held on Thursday, May 6th at 6 p.m. at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational care
 

What is the Buddy Program?
A service learning program. The buddy program pairs youth ages 12-15 with clients of St. Ann Center and other surrounding adult centers. The program empowers the youth in decision-making roles and encourages them to plan and carry out activities for the center’s clients.

Both adults and youth interact as equals helping to increase self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment among the program participants.

It is a creative challenge for the buddies to learn to work with those they perceive as different from themselves, learning wisdom from experience with elders. The elders also benefit from the experience asd knowledge of the youth.

The program is designed to further the St. Ann mission of providing service to the under served in our community and breaking down barriers between generations by bringing together marginalized groups of adults and children.

The Buddy Program is designed to:

  • Provide Youth with a positive learning experience where they learn to appreciate those perceived different.
  • Help participants learn that they can make a difference in the life of another person.
  • Teach skills necessary to secure and maintain a job.
  • Develop and enhance self-esteem by learning new skills.
  • Assist youth in learning to budget money.
Youth centered activities:
  • Assistance with lunch and snack time
  • Reading stories / newspaper
  • Playing games / creating art projects
  • Sharing life stories & experiences
  • Peace making circles & spiritual formation
  • Social skill development
Buddy Application Form
Parent Application Form

St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care would like to thank our funding supporters:
  • North western Mutual Insurance Co.
  • Center for Life Transitions
Co-sponsored by:
  • Milwaukee County Department on Aging
  • Milwaukee County commission on Aging Intergenerational Council
  • Inter-faith O.A.P.

 


The youth learn from the wisdom and experience of their elders.