Schools are discovering a wealth of experience and expertise available in their communities' senior populations. The graying of America guarantees older adults' continuing availability as a volunteer force. This article provides advice on developing intergenerational and outreach programs, stressing recruitment strategies and benefits of senior…

Describes how to plan and implement intergenerational programs that benefit both students and senior citizens. Seniors can be invited to discuss their hobbies or careers, provide firsthand accounts of historical events in social-studies classes, and work with students on biography or gardening projects. Senior volunteers can also serve as…

An innovative intergenerational program in Miami-Dade County (Florida) Public Schools trains adolescents to teach senior citizens about fire safety at an adult education center. Kids enjoy their relationships with "second grandparents" while imparting valuable information and translating safety checklists into Spanish. (MLH)

Describes 16-week intergenerational computer tutoring program in two replacement language-arts classes called Ambassadors of the Computer Age. Special-needs middle-school students improved their language-arts skills while teaching older adults how to use computer technology. (PKP)

Computer Ease is an intergenerational program designed to put an Ohio elementary school's computer lab, software library, staff, and students at the disposal of older adults desiring to become computer literate. Three 90-minute instructional sessions allow seniors to experience 1-to-1 high-tech instruction by enthusiastic, nonthreatening…

Because today's families tend to be scattered geographically, children are less likely to interact with grandparents and other older adults. A volunteer coordinator describes the enriching experiences stimulated by a senior pen- pal program in Staten Island (New York) schools involving third graders and senior citizens. (MLH)

Although Generations X and Y do not promote specific social-change goals, today's young people share a concern for building, maintaining, and serving community. Simply assigning students tasks in teacher-designed service-learning projects denies them opportunities for decision making, action planning, and leadership development. (MLH)

Students with behavioral or learning disabilities are important resources for their community. Through two service-learning projects (reading to elementary-school students and interviewing senior citizens), special-needs students at one New Jersey middle school gained confidence in their skills and developed a sense of pride and community…