Intergenerational Programs

Intergenerational Director
Leslie Henry (414) 482-1340 or lhenry@stanncenter.org

For Immediate Assistance call 977-5000

At St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care our programming is unique.

We call it intergenerational!

This means we are fortunate to have both children and adults within the same facility. Children and adults are frequently in contact with one another throughout the day. They learn from one another and grow together, overcoming the generational gap. The presence of children brings a sparkle to the eyes of many adults who live in settings isolated from children. The sights and sounds of children also serve to counter memory loss.

The children are able to learn how people who are aging or have disabilities are a part of our lives. Creative, intergenerational activities are spontaneous as well as planned by an intergenerational activities coordinator. Here is just a sample of the intergenerational activities that take place at our center:

Intergenerational FUN

Intergenerational activities happen on a daily basis at St. Ann Center.

• One-year olds visit with older adults twice a week

• Two-year olds and adults are involved in weekly cooking activities

Intergenerational programming is in important, integral part of the inclusive life at St. Ann Center. It fosters friendships that last a lifetime. 

Rock-a-Bye Club

• Adults in our “Rock-a-Bye Club” have the opportunity to hold and rock the babies three times per week

Music Therapy

• Children and adults come together for music therapy groups occur on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Art Education

• A comprehensive art education program involves all the clients on a regular basis.

Ceramics

• Ceramics is offered as an additional program for St. Ann Center clients and is open to the public.

Pet Therapy

• Frequently animals will visit the clients at Shepherd House to bring a smile.

An Intergenerational Story:

One day a group of children from a local school visited our center. They hesitated at the doorway when faced with one of our clients with visible challenges. One of our children saw what was happening and immediately stepped in to take the client’s hand and say to the visiting children, “It’s okay, he’s my friend!”