This past school year, the Intergenerational Schools had the joy of welcoming our Learning Partners back into the buildings. Students and older adults were once again able to sit side-by-side reading books, playing math games, and getting reacquainted with each other. As we prepare for the 2022 – 2023 school year, we are looking to expand this group of volunteers dedicated to supporting students’ education.

Make a Difference in Your Community

Learning Partners work side-by-side with students, exchanging ideas, building friendships, and sharing a love of reading or math. These special relationships, extend education beyond the classroom by providing students with another opportunity to practice literacy and math skills.

Practicing reading increases students’ comprehension, fluency and motivation to read additional texts. While practicing math skills through high-quality game play increases students’ number sense, ability to apply mathematical concepts and their frustration tolerance.

When students have more opportunities to practice, they are able to build the foundational skills needed to be successful throughout their academic journeys.

Learning Partner reading with primary female
Learning Partner reading with primary student

Health Benefits of Volunteering

Drs. Cathy and Peter Whitehouse, The Intergenerational School’s founders, created this programming to be mutually beneficial to students and older adults. In addition to supporting students’ education, Learning Partners have reported an increased sense of purpose and decreases in social isolation as benefits from volunteering in the Intergenerational Schools.

Research conducted by Dr. Daniel R. George and Drs. Whitehouse found that seniors who volunteered at the school were less likely to be depressed or indicate stress and demonstrated increased cognitive function over residents who did not volunteer or otherwise stay socially active. Also, in Dr. Daniel R. George and Dr. Peter J. Whitehouse’s most recent book, American Dementia Brain Health in an Unhealthy Society, the authors highlight the Intergenerational Schools’ Learning Partner and student relationship as one of the most effective treatments for people with dementia.

In the end stages of life, the feeling that one’s work is making a difference in the world, in any way, can be the factor that helps to deal successfully with dementia and the stress of aging.

Peter J. Whitehouse, MD, PhD – The Intergenerational School Co-Founder
Math Learning Partner working with Near West Developing Stage Students

Join Us at Our Brunch and Learn Events!

To learn more about this unique volunteer experience, we are hosting three Brunch and Learns. The events will be held at 10:00 am on the following dates:

July 18th at Lakeshore Intergenerational School

July 19th at Near West Intergenerational School

July 20th at The Intergenerational School – East

Register by clicking on the links above or by emailing volunteer@igschools.org.

We hope you can join us next month at one of our Brunch and Learn events. For more information, please visit igschools.org/volunteer or email volutneer@igschools.org.

Interested in sharing your time, talent or treasure with the Intergenerational Schools? Click here to learn more and share your gifts.