The Kind Kids Organization: Intergenerational Programs

Excerpt from Open Minds, Open Hearts

I didn't realize it at the time, but the door that opened to me came via an invitation from a national nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, that was seeking to develop a model for intergenerational programs. America's Promise--The Alliance for Youth is a broad-based Alliance whose members work together to ensure that all young people can realize their full potential. The Alliance works to accomplish this goal by ensuring all young people have the five essential resources--known as the Five Promises--that they need to thrive in life: caring adults who are actively involved in their lives; safe places in which to learn and grow; a healthy start toward adulthood; an effective education that builds marketable skills; and opportunities to help others. Founded by retired General Colin L. Powell following the Presidents' Summit for America's Future in 1997, the America's Promise Alliance includes nonprofit, corporate and community groups as well as individuals across the nation. The more I learned about America's Promise, the more enthused I became about its mission and the Five Promises, particularly opportunities to serve. Volunteerism is an important component of a holistic education that I had been trying to foster in my students long before I became acquainted with America's Promise.

It was an honor to be asked to share my experience in this field with a newly-formed national organization seeking to establish its roots and create program models that could be replicated across the country. Before the program could go national, though, we'd have to test it out on the local level. The staff at America's Promise identified a school that was in need of assistance--Macfarland Middle School in Washington, D.C. This school, serving students in grades six through eight, has a large minority population and nearly all of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches. The students' needs were great, but I've never been one to resist a challenge. With the school in place, it was up to me to find a retirement center to partner with these special students.

Through my network of connections and some independent research, I uncovered the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home on Upshire Street in Washington, D.C. It's always difficult to predict with complete accuracy whether a residence and a school will be a good fit, so I followed my instincts (and crossed my fingers) that the students from Macfarland would be a good complement to the residents of the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home. My prayers could not have been more fully answered. So many synergies were in place to produce a mutually enriching experience for students and seniors alike. Thankfully, the young people and their teacher were highly motivated and genuinely sincere with this intergenerational effort. Equally gracious, the residents of the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home opened their doors and hearts to us, and we danced right in.