Service-learning opportunities are prominent on many college campuses. The process of designing and implementing service-learning experiences, especially for students of gerontology, however, has rarely been addressed. The current article briefly reviews the background and utility of service-learning in gerontology courses, describes our…

Intergenerational programs and policy approaches are needed for the following reasons: (1) the interdependence of generations; (2) the aging of the population; (3) the imperative of community participation and service; (4) changes in family structure and caregiving; and (5) stereotypes of intergenerational conflict and competition.…

The Mechanicsburg Area (Pennsylvania) Phone Pal Program is a telephone reassurance program in which an older volunteer calls a child who is home alone before or after school. Calls are made at the same time each day. These daily calls provide both younger and older persons with a safety verification, in addition to fellowship. Phone Pal is…

To address some of the social, health, economic and cultural issues of growing older in America, Greenfield Community College (GCC) in Massachusetts sponsored a Celebration of Growing Older program. The 2-month long series of events was designed to educate the public, both young and old, about the myths of aging and to challenge some assumptions…

School-based youth community service programs are helping students develop individual and social responsibility, and build intergenerational bonds. Elements necessary to reap maximum benefit are described followed by five examples of nationally recognized programs. Project ideas and factors for success are offered. (SI)

This paper examines the definition and practice of intergenerational learning programs, and attempts to determine the characteristics of successful and meaningful programs of this type. The first section defines intergenerational learning and states its purpose: to bring young and old together for the purpose of learning from one another, under…