Youth & Seniors - American Democracy: An American Partnership

Kathy Nordyke, Activity Director for the Christian Health Care West long-term care facility, saw a need for more meaningful activities for residents and, at the same time, provide opportunities for youth participate in civic and/or service learning.

Her vision for the project was to: Develop an innovative, "Best Practices" exemplary model program to be implemented in long-term care facilities throughout the United States that connects seniors in these facilities with middle, junior high and high school age youth to enhance the lives of the seniors and youth through meaningful community service. Kathy titled the program "Youth and Seniors - American Democracy: An American Partnership" with its central theme being Today's Social Studies...Creating Effective Citizens.

The project is a collaborative effort of representatives from long term care facilities, schools, seniors, youth, businesses, families of youth and seniors, psychologists, media, civic, government and community organizations as well a community members at large.

Activities will include academic learning, personal growth and civic responsibility, and will partner students and seniors in community service teams and through service learning better the communities in which these seniors and students reside.

Program Brochure | Slide Show from Activities