CONTINUANCE - Southern Illinois University

ContinuanceKnowledge and Understanding Passing from Generation to GenerationFall 2010/Winter 2011 Vol. 25 Nos. 1 & 2GenerationsServingGenerationsThe Interdependence of Generations Report

The Interdependence of Generations ReportGenerations Serving GenerationsPromoting the Civic Engagement of Older AdultsGenerations Serving Generations was founded in 2008 in cooperationwith the National Governors Association Center on Best Practices.Illinois was one of 14 states selected to participate in the project thatwas designed to improve the health and lives of older Americans andincrease their involvement in service, learning, and work. The core teamhas championed the civic engagement of older adults as a way to boostleadership in communities and tap the great resource of older Illinoisans.Generations Serving Generations embraces all generations, each with itsunique history, view of authority, use of technology, and specific historicalevents that shaped their lives. Though we are all different, whether GenX, Gen Y, Boomers or the Oldest Generation, we need one another. We areinterdependent.Interdependence of Generations: AResolution from the Illinois SenateCore Team for Generations Serving GenerationsTop photo from the the Summit on Aging and Education, September 20, 2010.L to R: Ted Gibbs, executive director, Serve Illinois Commission, Representing GovernorPat Quinn; Jo Anderson, Senior Advisor, U.S. Dept. of Education, representingSecretary Arne Duncan; Marilyn Hennessy, trustee, Retirement Research Foundation;Robert Mees, representing the Illinois Community College Council of Presidentsand president, John A. Logan College; NGA project director: Jane Angelis, director,Intergenerational Initiative, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; NGA TeamLeader Charles D. Johnson, director, Illinois Department on Aging; Peggy Luce, vicepresident, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce; Joyce Gallagher, director, ChicagoDivision on Aging; Michael O’Donnell, executive director, East Central Illinois AreaAgency on Aging and liaison, Illinois Association of AAA; and John Hosteny, Illinoisdirector, Corporation for National and Community ServiceResolved: It is in the interest ofthe citizens of this State to developIllinois’ growing retiree populationas a resource for mobilizingcitizens of all ages and addressingcommunity needs acrossgenerations.Senate Resolution 115Lower Photos: - Other members of the Policy Academy: L to R: John Sirek, director,Citizenship, McCormick Foundation; Bernarda Wong, president, Chinese American ServiceLeague; David Fields, board member, Illinois State Board of Education; Edward Maloney,chair, Senate Higher Education Committee; and Bob Gallo, state director, AARP

ContentsFall 2010/Winter 2011 Vol. 25 Nos. 1 & 2This issue of Continuance traces the efforts of Illinoisans to fulfill the Senate Resolutionon the Interdependence of Generations.Generations Serving Generations iThe Beginnings 2Partnerships and Building Consensus 3Historic Meeting Connects Higher Education and Aging 3Education Initiatives for the Future 4Lifelong Learning Coalition 5Celebrating the Year of the Engaged Older Adult 6Governor Pat Quinn Proclaims 2010 as the Year of the Engaged Older Adult 6Interdependence of Generations Resolution Passed 6Summit on Aging and Education 7Local Discussions Find Solutions through Collaboration 8Coming Events 9Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and Wellness 10Spoon River College 10College of Lake County 11Prairie State College 12Dupage Regional Office of Education 13Danville Area College 14John Wood Community College 15Black Hawk Community College 16Illinois Central College 17Heartland Community College 18Morton College 19John A. Logan Community College 20Southeastern Illinois College 21Shawnee Community College 22Southwestern Illinois College 23Harold Washington College 24East St. Louis Community College Center 25Kaskaskia College 26Harper College 27South Suburban College 28Highland Community College 29Participants in the Local Discussions & Summit on Aging and Education 30Acknowledgements 33v Founded in 1987 with funding from the Illinois Board of Higher Education vhttp://www.iii.siuc.edu/

Partnerships and Building ConsensusHistoric Meeting Connects HigherEducation’s Public Agenda andAging’s Maturing of IllinoisThe Maturing of Illinois: Getting Communitieson Track for an Aging PopulationThe number of persons 60 years of age and olderin the state of Illinois is expected to increase from 2million today to over 3.6 million by the year 2030.By 2030, one in every five Illinoisans will be 60 orolder. To respond to this challenge, the thirteen AreaAgencies on Aging in partnership with the IllinoisDepartment on Aging are pursuing a statewideinitiative to promote livable communities.L to R: George W. Reid, executive director, Illinois Board of HigherEducation and Charles Johnson, director, Illinois Department onAging discuss how their agencies can work together.Charles Johnson, director, Illinois Department onAging and George W. Reid, executive director ofthe Illinois Board of Higher Education met on February18, 2011 to discuss issues related to education and agingthat will have an impact on all Illinoisans. They agreedthat their agencies must work together to address thegreat economic challenges throughout Illinois.Director Johnson said “Older adults are a resource:they are capable of giving back to communities andhave great talents to share with students.” Dr. Reiddiscussed the Public Agenda and welcomed the talentsof older adults who can contribute to Illinois becomingthe state with the highest graduation rate.“Higher Education is for a lifetime and the PublicAgenda is the future of Illinois,” said Reid. “TheAgenda will present opportunities for people to takenew roles that will increase graduation rates andstrengthen our educational system.”Johnson described the Maturing of Illinois, which willhelp communities prepare for an increase of 70% ofthose 60 and older over the next twenty years.A livable community addresses six areas: housing,transportation, accessibility, health and supportservices, opportunities for work, volunteering, andlearning, and encourages participation in civic,cultural, social and recreational activities. Withineach of these six areas, a livable community strives tomaximize people’s independence, assure safety andsecurity, promote inclusiveness, and provide choice.The Illinois Public Agenda for College andCareer SuccessThe Illinois Public Agenda for College and CareerSuccess is a plan for strengthening the educationsystem. Four of the action steps include the following:First, attention will highlight increasing readiness forcollege. Readiness begins with early education andcontinues throughout the transitions from one level tothe next, often called the pipeline. Second, the Agendawill focus on college completion and will challengethe educational system in Illinois to help studentssucceed. Third, the agenda will garner supportfor performance funding that will add incentivesfor student success. Last, the Agenda will provideinformation about the education system in Illinoisand a P-20 (preschool through college) longitudinaldata system, that is vital for sound policy makingand accountability. The global goals for the PublicAgenda are to increase educational attainment, ensurecollege affordability, address workforce needs andenhance economic growth. For additional information,www.1illinois.orghttp://www.iii.siuc.edu/

Partnerships and Building ConsensusEducation Initiatives for the FutureIllinois Delegation toAttend Complete CollegeAmerica EventComplete College America hasinvited Illinois to bring a stateteam to the Spring, 2011 CompletionAcademy to discuss and designspecific actions — legislativeor administrative, statewide orcampus specific—focused on strategiesto reach the college completiongoal of 60% of Illinoisans (ages24-64) with a postsecondary degreeor credential of value by 2025.Complete College America willprovide customized technical assistancein the areas of performancefunding, remediation reform, reducingtime-to-degree, and changingstructures to meet the needs oftoday’s students.The delegation includes Lt. Gov.Sheila Simon; Sen. Ed Maloney,Chair, Senate Higher EducationCommittee; Rep. Bob Pritchard,Education Caucus co-chair andMinority Spokesperson on HouseHigher Education CommitteeEducation; Chancellor Rita Cheng,Southern Illinois University Carbondale;President Jerry Weber,College of Lake County; Jeff Mays,President of Illinois BusinessRoundtable; George W. Reid, IllinoisBoard of Higher Educationexecutive director; Andy Davis,Illinois Student Assistance Commissionexecutive director; ElaineJohnson, Illinois Community CollegeBoard vice-president for academicaffairs, and Candace Mueller,Illinois Board of Higher Educationexternal relations and State Liaisonto Complete College America.Comments from members ofthe Complete College Americaregarding older generations:“As one generation graduates,another retires. The experiencesgained through a life of workor community service are anatural resource to the incominggeneration that can not bemeasured and must not gountapped.”Jeff Mays, PresidentIllinois Business Roundtable“By connecting generations, wecreate partnerships that allow usto learn and grow. Education istransformational, and by bringingpeople of all ages together to sharetheir expertise and talents, we caneffect positive and lasting changein our communities.”Rita Cheng, ChancellorSouthern Illinois Univ. Carbondale“When senior volunteers applytheir wisdom and energy to suchprojects as reducing the schooldrop-out rates and improvingwellness, our whole communitybenefits.” Jerry Weber, PresidentCollege of Lake County, Grayslake“Retirees are valuable resourcesfor P-20 education because theyhave experienced transitionsthroughout their lives andunderstand perseverance.”Senator Ed. Maloney, ChairSenate Higher Education Com.Education for Our Future:First Report for theIllinois P-20 CouncilMiguel del ValleChairman, P-20 CouncilThe P-20 Council Report includesten recommendationsfor improvement at all levels of Illinoiseducation, from birth throughadulthood, to create a seamlesssystem of quality education andsupport. The P-20 Council recommendsthat state agencies, educationalinstitutions, and communitypartners work together.www2.illinois.gov/p20council/Congratulations to MikeBaumgartner, the new VicePresident of Finance and SpecialProjects for Complete CollegeAmerica. Baumgartner was theexecutive deputy of planningand budgeting for the IllinoisBoard of Higher Education anda member of the Advisory Teamfor Generations Serving Generations.Best wishes!Complete College America (CCA):www.completecollege.org/Illinois Alliance page for CCA:www.completecollege.org/docs/Illinois.pdf Continuance Magazine Fall 2010/Winter 2011

The Interdependence of Generations ReportCelebrating the Year of the Engaged Older Adult1. Gov. Pat Quinn Proclaims 2010 as the Year ofthe Engaged Older Adult102 Counties Participated in the Celebration of the CivicEngagement of Older AdultsIn December 2009, Governor PatQuinn launched a a year-longcampaign that encouraged olderadults to engage in communityactivities. Generations ServingGenerations and the Year of theEngaged Older Adult was a call toaction for individuals and familiesto enrich community life. Theannouncement was made duringthe opening session of the annualGovernor’s Conference on Aging,held on December 10 in Chicago.“This program will expand ourefforts to strengthen communitiesacross Illinois,” said GovernorQuinn. “The initiative will helpincrease the number of seniors whoparticipate in volunteer activities inIllinois, allowing them to contributetheir talents and expertise to benefittheir communities.”Counties throughout Illinois felt thespirit of Generations Serving Generations.Older adults participatedin programs and projects related tohealth, education, caregiving, communitybuilding, economic developmentand more. Clearly there isa vast resource in the older generationjust waiting to be tapped.102 Illinois Counties2. Interdependence ofGenerations ResolutionPassedOn April 22, 2010, the Illinois Senateunanimously passed the Interdependenceof Generations TaskForce, sponsored by Senator EdMaloney.The purpose is to “study and makerecommendations regarding the creativeways that education (schools,community colleges, and universities)and aging (retiree organizations,organizations that serve olderadults, and older adults themselves)can work together to address thechallenges of education, tap the resourcesof older adults and studentsto benefit communities, and promotehealthy lifestyles for all ages.”Further, the “Task Force on theInterdependence of Generations willengage Illinois citizens in hearingsregarding the ways that generationscan work together as participants,planners, and organizers of systemsthat can mobilize talents acrossgenerations.” Continuance Magazine Fall 2010/Winter 2011

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessDuPage Regional Office of EducationOlder mentor helps student to change from a troubledyouth to one leading a coat drive for his community.November 15 - LombardOlga Rammer, Director,Administrative ServicesSuccess StoriesRetiree from FBI finds fulfilmentand helps a student find his wayretired FBI agent became aA mentor for a young studentwho was placed in the Safe Schoolsprogram for possession of a weapon.This very serious-minded ex-FBI agent connected well with thestudent, who was very troubled,and on the verge of failure. Withinvolvement of the mentor, the studentbegan to improve his gradesand he began to ask his teacherswhat he could do to assist in schoolactivities. Soon he was involvedin service when he formed a coatdrive at Christmas. When askedwhat brought about the change, thestudent said that he had receiveda birthday card from his mentor,and he realized that someone caredabout him, and that he did indeedmatter.DiscussionFive students were participants inour summit. They all added considerableinformation and perspectivesabout high school dropoutsand healthy lifestyles. The studentstalked about their roles as Studentambassadors; organizing schoolclubs and participating as technologyexperts working with seniors.They all felt that the cardiovascularhealth programs and healthier foodchoices should be available to allstudents.The DuPage County Health DepartmentFORWARD Initiative(Fighting Obesity Reaching HealthyWeight Among Residents of Du-Page) will move ahead in designinga program in consultation withthese students that will connectseniors with our school youth onproper nutrition and exercise. Onestudent, when asked why she hadgiven up an entire evening to participatein the Generations ServingGenerations Summit and continueto be involved, replied that it washer responsibility to make her communitya better place to live andwork.Ideas and Action• High school and middle schoolstudents can host Technology workshopsfor area seniors.• Living oral histories can be capturedby students of seniors frommulti-generations, capturing firsthandstories for future study.• Retired seniors can become workoutpartners with younger students,proving support and encouragementwhile both obtain healthbenefits.• High school athletic facilities canbe opened to area residents duringtimes of low-use.• High school service clubs can planspecial events, such as Senior CitizenProms, holiday meals, special recep-Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, DuPageRegional Superintendent ofSchools.“As our population ages, we willneed to tap into their knowledgeand strengths as well as supporttheir health and well-being.Mobilizing all generations toaddress critical economic andhealth issues in new ways canonly have a positive impact on oursociety and our nation.”tions and invitations to high schoolplays and music events.• High school students can provideongoing support to area citizensthrough yard upkeep, assistance ongarbage days, assorted other outsideactivities.• Seniors can become involved informal mentorship programs withschools, “Adopt a Grandparent”programs, or other collaborativeevents to assist struggling studentswith homework, job coaching, reading,or simply providing support.• Intergenerational cooking classescan be hosted at schools, providingfor the opportunity to transfer recipesthrough generations, and forstudents to share new cooking techniquesand nutritional information.• Seniors can volunteer to serveas ongoing academic support forschools, working in resource centersand classrooms.http://www.iii.siuc.edu/ 13

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessDanville Area Community CollegeInformation is a challenge: There are many resources butpeople don’t know about them.President Alice Marie Jacobs“From the discussions, it is evidentthat many positive strategies aretaking place in our community toaddress the drop-out rate as wellas to promote healthy lifestyles.Our challenge as a College willbe to continue to facilitate what isoccurring so that the quality of lifein our community improves.”December 2 - DanvilleLaura Hensgen, Coordinator, CommunityEducationSuccess StoryShawn, a local high schoolstudent, was about to give upon school when he heard aboutDACC’s Middle College program.He didn’t have much drive andwas just going through the dailymotions of his life. Shawn oftensaid that he was just not fit forthe high school setting, and heoften thought of dropping out.At the beginning of his senioryear Shawn opted for the MiddleCollege program. He was ableto enroll in college level courseswhich allowed him to obtain highschool and college credit. Shawnthrived in a more mature setting.According to his counselor, Shawnneeded very little supervision.He was responsible and by thetime he graduated in December2010 he was more confident andsuccessfully completing 22 credits.He has since moved to Alaska tobe with family. He has enrolled incollege for the spring 2011 semester.The College Express program hasa goal to increase the graduationrate by 25 students annually. This isoften a better option for a studentwho gets pregnant, struggles in theschool setting, doesn’t fit in withtheir peers, or feels inferior. TheCollege Express program allowshigh school students to obtain vocationalcredit.Healthy LifetylesProvena United Samaritans Centerin Danville uses the arts to communicatehealthy lifestyle choicesamong youth through the I Sing theBody Electric program. The missionis to provide a supportive frameworkwhere youth in VermilionCounty may investigate and communicatehealthy lifestyle choicesto each other and to the communitythrough the arts. This programincludes three phrases. The firstphase, which began in 2008, surveyedarea students asking them toselect the top five health risks thatthey face. The results were: alcohol(mainly drinking and driving), sexualbehavior, body image, drug use,and depression and suicide.In the second phase, highschool youth who choose to participateare given mini-grants todevelop healthy lifestyle messagesusing the arts. The projects can usea number of arts media: music, creativewriting, poetry, theatre, visualarts, video, and sculpture. These artprojects will be showcased at year’send at an Arts & Health Festival.The third phase includes a countywidetour of the students’ works.Sites include schools, businessesand community events.Teaching kids at an early age theimportance of volunteering may directlyimpact how much they servethe community in their future. Thiswould also help the community realizeits needs.Ideas and ActionAfter attending the local discussionthere was talk about how much VermilionCounty has to offer and howlittle people know about what goeson. In an attempt to make peopleaware there was talk about creatinga webpage listing all the opportunitiesavailable to volunteers.• Suggestions that include the factthat seniors will often volunteerwhen asked or if they are aware ofthe opportunities.• Attempts to educate the publicmay include: newspaper articles,church groups, classroom setting,and social media.• Other ideas included starting aprogram in the elementary schoolsthat focus on volunteering.14 Continuance Magazine Fall 2010/Winter 2011

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessJohn Wood Community CollegeSuccess is often measured in small steps says a STEMmentor.November 23 - QuincyCarla Gosney, Director, Retired andSenior Volunteer ProgramSuccess StoriesAmy, a third-grade studenthad help in reading andother subjects from her mentor,Dr. Michael Anderson, a retiredphysician. He worked with Amyfrom the time she was in thirdgrade through high school. Asa result, Amy completed highschool and also graduated fromJohn Wood Community Collegeand is now completing college ata four-year institution. Knowingthe importance of the mentoringprogram to her success, Amyherself became a mentor for a gradeschool student.As a retired manager and computerexpert, Ken Heinze knowsthe importance of math in theworkplace. Ken has been tutoringindividual students since 2003 atJohn Wood Community College’sAdult Ed and Literacy program.This year he felt he could be moreeffective in a classroom setting,working with several studentsat a time. He began planninglessons, exercises, and homeworkto encourage and motivate thestudents to complete their GED.This has been a learning experiencefor Ken as well as the students. Hehas discovered that success is oftenmeasured in small steps. Throughhis continued encouragement, thesesmall steps for his students willresult in large opportunities in thefuture.Approximately 30 Adams CountyRSVP volunteers are activelyinvolved in the Child-FamilyMentor Program at the QuincyPublic Schools. These volunteerswork with one or two students foran hour each week to assist withschool work and to be a mentor tothe students. The RSVP Volunteersoften remark that they receive morethan they give. The involvementwith students is win/win,volunteers stay active and studentsimprove their reading and math.The United Way of Adams Countygives special funding considerationto programs that emphasizeeducation, health and incomebecause of the problems associatedwith them. The U of I Extensionand United Way have partnered totackle obesity in Quincy. Since May2009, the ABC Health LeadershipDelegation has become thesource for community data abouthealth status and collaborativeefforts to improve obesity ratesin Adams County. ABC and itsHealth Leadership Delegation arecommitted to making a positiveimpact on the health status ofindividuals in Adams County,specifically concerning overweightand obesity. Utilizing the activehealth leadership delegationstructure, ABC will: collect andPresident Thomas Klincar“John Wood Community Collegeis honored to be an enabler inhelping students succeed. At JohnWood Community College, we areone team, bringing together manyresources to increase our studentcollege graduation rates andimprove the quality of life withinthe communities we serve.”analyze program data, educate thecommunity about the obesity issue,and use data to generate and aligncommunity resources with effectiveprogram strategies. This is done inorder to decrease childhood obesityin Adams County by 25% by theyear 2020 (from 41% in 2009 to 31%).When these strategies are combinedand supported by communitymembers, Adams County will seea reduction in obesity rates andobesity-related costs.Ideas and Action• Work with the Kroc Center topromote tutoring and promotinghealthy lifestyles.• Continue connecting retireesand students who need additionalsupport to remain in school orreturn to school.• As a result of links established atthe local discussion, the EducationDepartment of John Wood willhave additional placement sites forstudent interns.http://www.iii.siuc.edu/ 15

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessBlack Hawk CollegeAn important part of our future depends on mutual understandingbetween generationsPresident Gene Gardner“It has long been said that with agecomes wisdom. I hear this notionexpressed in a variety of ways bystudents in the halls and lounges atBlack Hawk College. Conversely,young people often develop theirown life views as a result of theirexperiences, particularly fromthe various electronic gadgetrythat they have grown up with.Consequently, communicationbetween the generations becomesa value adding experience to boththe young and the not so young.An important part of our futuredepends on mutual understandingbetween the generations.”December 2 - MolineCharlet Key, Coordinator, SpecialEventsSuccess Storiesyoung man at the MolineA center was encouraged toparticipate in the homeworkassistance program. Little bylittle his grades improved, andhe developed more confidence inhis abilities. He began to interactwith staff and made suggestionsfor additional activities. With helpfrom teachers and mentors, theyoung man completed high school,enrolled at the community college,and when a staff position at theClub was available, applied andwas selected. Balancing classes,work and family commitments hasbeen a challenge but the skills heacquired at the Club, the mentoringhe received is evidence thatpersistence does bring results.DiscussionsPresident Gene Gardner greeted theparticipants in the Local Discussionand started with a tribute to olderand younger generations.One of the programs cited was theBoys & Girls Clubs that providesafter school services for 250-300students, ages 6 – 18, at 3 locations.From the Homework Power Hourto Money Matters and discussionson leadership and character, theyhave collected evidence that theirstudents do persevere.Another program is Achieve UnitedWay and their career explorationprogram at the high school level.One student, who participated,was frequently truant. She foundher career in allied health and soonimproved her attendance, raisedher GPA, and enrolled in dualenrollment courses at the highschool/community college. Nowshe is a full-time honors studentat Black Hawk College. When shefound a career that was interesting,it made a big difference in her life.She plans to pursue a BA and MS inher field of study.Through the Service Learningnetwork with Augustana Collegein Rock Island, college studentshave provided needed eyewareto elementary students who werestruggling in classes, and tutoredat-risk students.An intergenerational programtargeting Family Literacy haspaired 250 learners with 100+ tutorsto encourage reading and learningskills. A special focus of theirprogram is parenting skills.Challenges• Recruiting/retaining volunteersto overcome the snowbirdphenomenon and seniors returningto workforce.• Overcoming the “Not in mybackyard” perception that studentsat-risk are a challenge for everyone.• Recognizing impact of socialmedia as a tool and threat• Meeting the overwhelming needwith limited resourcesIdeas and Action• Explore collaborative ventures• Explore service learning/civicengagement as a potential way tohandle the volunteer recruitmentchallenge. The college students caninclude their service experienceson their applications for graduateschool. Another possibility mightbe a local employer who offeredpaid time away for workers to betutors. When an employee hadachieved a set number of hours,they would receive some sort ofrecognition – perhaps a couponfor a movie, dinner, tickets to asporting event or concert, etc.16 Continuance Magazine Fall 2010/Winter 2011

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessIllinois Central CollegeThe key to healthy lifestyles and increasing graduationrates is connecting people and resources.November 16 - PeoriaRita Ali, Executive Director,DiversityHealthy LifestylesYou can purchase a cheeseburgerfor 99 cents but you have to paymore than $2 for a salad, said Dr.Andy Choiu, a local vascular surgeonand graduate of Peoria PublicSchools, said that the price of thecheeseburger was driven down dueto consumer demand for this productwhich, when eaten in excess, can bedamaging to your heart and health.As a society, he stressed, we mustdemand healthy foods. If the massesof people begin to do so, the price ofhealthy items will be driven downand we’ll be better off health-wiseand money-wise.Discussion participants registeredto participate in a group discussionon either Healthy Lifestyles(two groups) or Education(three groups). Each groupdiscussed their selected topic forapproximately 45 minutes beforereporting their findings andrecommendations to the full bodyof participants.Healthy Lifestyles: Participantswere in agreement that thiscommunity has many health relatedresources including three majorhospitals, a public medical school,a public health department, severalinstitutions of higher educationwhich provide education in healthcareers, other health serviceorganizations, and a host of retiredhealth professionals. The key, theyconcluded is effectively connectingthese resources to benefit themutual needs and interests of ouryouth and older adult populations.Ideas for improving healthylifestyles:• Establish a Pre-Med Club formiddle and high school studentsdesiring to go into medicalprofessions. Provide medicalcourses at the schools and includehands-on activities and practicaltraining through volunteering ata local hospital. Involve retiredprofessionals and medical students.Participants felt strongly that thereare many retired professionals andlay people who reside in this areawho could assist the educationalprocess. These resources shouldbe connected in creative ways toinspire and develop talent amongour youth.Youth need people they can talkto about the things they dislikeabout school and things going onin their lives –– someone objective.Three groups presented this samerecommendation.Ideas and Action• Provide Time to Talk and ListenEstablish a speaker’s bureau,resource group, or GenerationForum composed of numerousretired professionals and lay peoplethat can be called on to talk to youth.• Parents Are Part of the SolutionPresident John Erwin“The community college is well-positionedto address the intergenerationalneeds of an aging population.By opening up the dialogue about theneeds and expectations of our variousstudents and communities, wehave assisted in raising the awarenessfor fulfilling this critical mission.”Provide parental education thathelps parents understand howeducation and nutrition go hand-inhand.Parents can also be educatedand empowered on how to redirecttheir children when they’re justplaying games or texting when theycould be studying.• Cultural RenaissanceCultural attitudes among ouryouth must be shifted so that theyunderstand that education leads tofreedom and opportunity; here again,a cultural renaissance is needed andseniors can help to assist this.• Involving Alumni and OtherVolunteers: The college has anextensive pool of alumni that can betapped as ambassadors or volunteersfor assisting education and healthrelated goals and objectives.• The coordination of volunteerefforts (recruitment, orientation,assignment, management, etc.),however, requires some degreeof resource allocation (financial/ human). We continue to seekopportunities to fund theseinitiatives.http://www.iii.siuc.edu/ 17

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessHeartland Community CollegeMcLean County coalition for health brings positiveresults across genertions.President Allen Goben“What we’re competing againstis not the next person, school,city, county, or even country. Ourcommon competitor is the colossalwaste of time, money, and energythat characterizes our society today.We will meet this challenge bycollaborating effectively and byleveraging the diverse power ofmultiple generations.”December 2 - NormalKim Barman, Dean of Community& Corporate EducationSuccess StoriesThe McLean County WellnessCoalition started with a fewpeople who were concernedabout the growing rate of obesityand other health issues. Soonother organizations realized theyhad similar goals and joined thecoalition. They discussed how theycould increase communication,facilitate collaboration andexplored funding opportunities.Working together, the coalitionwas successful in obtaining agrant called ACHIEVE (ActionCommunities for Health,Innovation & EnvironmentalChange). The coalition is discussingcommunity assets and identifyingareas of need to improve thecommunity’s health.Some of the suggestions beingconsidered by the McLean CountyWellness Coalition to improve thecounty’s health include:• Expanding the number of farmersmarkets and community gardens• Providing safer access toConstitution Trail by working withthe cities to improve sidewalks• Collaborating with restaurants tomake healthier menu choices clear• Encouraging employees to spendtheir breaks being physically active• Working with employers andschools to have healthier choices invending machines and cafeterias• Encouraging supermarketsto make candy less accessibleand fruits and vegetables moreaccessible• Working with insurancecompanies and employers so thatdisease prevention work gets morewidespread insurance coverage.Connecting community andcampus leaders has been a greataccomplishment toward building acollaborative strategic plan.DiscussionAt the event, participants chooseto attend one of three breakoutsessions, one of which focused onutilizing volunteers in the highschools. Attendees were interestedin utilizing all available volunteersfrom parents to older adults. Needsidentified included greeters forevents, parking lot supervisors,hallway monitors and tutors.Representatives from the highschools highlighted an opportunityfor the college to provide supportfor this initiative by training andcertifying the volunteers to servewithin the schools.The group also supported exploringinnovative ways to connectgenerations by having the youth(possibly high school students)teach others about technology.Some older adults are not familiarwith how to use a computer, or ifthey are, their knowledge is verylimited. This group wondered ifyoung adults could volunteer atsenior centers, independent/assistedliving facilities, etc to educatethese seniors on how to utilizetechnology. The group felt it wouldbe a valuable experience for theyouth and also provide educationand companionship to the seniors,but recognizes that screening andtraining would be necessary for thestudents who volunteer.Ideas and Action• Create awareness around theissues of obesity, physical activity,nutrition, and chronic disease.• Share data on placementresults and moving initial collegeplacement tests to the junior year• Increase career assessments andlife mapping activities and counselingbetween high schools andHeartland Community College.• Explore the possibility oftechnology training for older adultsby high school students.18 Continuance Magazine Fall 2010/Winter 2011

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessMorton CollegeContinuing education brings continued mental vitality.November 10 - CiceroDerek ShoubaDean of Arts and SciencesSuccess Storiesfaculty member shared a storyA of a man who took his firstspeech class in his 70s. Later, theolder student returned to thank thefaculty member for changing hislife. After the speech class he hadgone to a talent agency, then earneda role in a television commercial,and eventually used the money tofund a trip around the world. Thisis a clear example of the positivereciprocal links between age andeducation! According to one panelist,research shows a link betweencontinuing education and continuingmental vitality.The moderator of the discussion,retiree Dr. Phyllis Walden, describedhow she had decided to teach aneighbor child how to cook her favoritemeal, chicken soup. The childhad never known how to cook herfavorite meal until this point. Asa result, Dr. Walden, with the supportof the child’s mother, regularlyteaches the child new recipes andthe general principles of healthy eating.The panel thought this exampledemonstrates the health-relatedwisdom that retirees can often bringto younger folks, and the generalemotional support they can provideto young people as they make theirway through school.Morton College is participating inthe Achieving the Dream initiativewhich targets at-risk studentpopulations in order to improveretention and reduce the numberof college dropouts. Under theauspices of this national initiative,Morton College is strengthening itsdevelopmental math curriculum,improving its new student orientationprocess, and offering a newcourse on college study skills.Linking Health and AcademicSuccessThe College Study Skills courseincludes a critical module on therelationship between health andstudent success. In general, MortonCollege is committed to improvingthe first-year experience of all ofits students, with special emphasisgiven to students who test into oneor more developmental courses.At this stage, Morton College isfocusing on fostering an internalintergenerational dialogue relatedto wellness and retention. Participantsinclude the following areas:Athletics, Fitness Center, StudentDevelopment, Deans’ Offices, Officeof the President, InstitutionalResearch, Health Programs (e.g.,Massage Therapy, Nursing, PhysicalTherapy Assistant), Adult Educationand Community Outreach,and the Jedlicka Performing ArtsCenter. Over time, the Collegeintends to reach out to a variety ofcommunity participants, includingPresident Leslie A. Navarro“Although we want our studentsto be successful in the classroom,it’s not enough to put all of ouremphasis in any one area. All ofthe elements of student success,including health and wellness,should be fostered. Success inone aspect of life—intellectual oremotional—is interrelated withaccomplishment in the others. Themore balance students achieve,the more likely they can becomewell-rounded, well-adjusted, andsuccessful over the long run.”health and wellness organizations,district schools, governmental entities,and senior citizen service organizations.Ideas and Action• Strengthen the College StudySkills course to include wellnesscontent• Expand Wellness Committee activities• Advertise the College’s nutritioncourses as well as the FitnessCenter’s services to internal andexternal constituencies.http://www.iii.siuc.edu/ 19

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessJohn A. Logan CollegeRetired teachers help guide students in CollegeReadiness ProgramPresident Robert L. Mees“With the current state of theeconomy in Illinois and throughoutour country, generations workingtogether could be one of keys inour road to recovery. We haveover 2 million people in Illinoisover the age of 60 that could be atremendous resource in makingthis happen. However, it hasto be a coordinated effort withour school districts, communitycolleges, universities and agingorganizations throughout our statein planning and implementinga program to promote healthylifestyles, volunteerism, part-timeemployment for seniors, lifelonglearning and better completionrates for our students we serve.”November 22 - CartervilleJulia Schroeder, Vice President forAcademic AffairsSuccess StoryThe importance of Boomersto the future of education inIllinois comes home in the Collegeand Career Readiness program. Aretired teacher, Judie Pike, became anEducation Guide to help students intheir transition from high school tocollege. She said, “The students oftenare naïve and scared and threatenedby the new environment in a collegesetting. With help, they grow anddevelop skills so they can succeed.”Pike spent an average of fourhours a week with each student.Her activities as an EducationGuide included helping studentsorganize their work and theirtime, helping them determinetheir learning style, assistingthem to determine their specificneeds and then setting goals tomeet those needs, reviewingwith them for tests and helpingthem to practice presentations.Administrators of the College andCareer Readiness program praisePike for her empathy, creativity,and commitment. The Guideshave been key to the success of theprogram because of the one-on-onerelationships.Another program at HerrinHigh School endorses mandatorytutoring for high school studentswho are failing two or morecourses. Students must attend atutoring session for one hour afterschool each day until they raise atleast one course grade to passing.High school administrators meeteach semester to identify at-riskstudents, that is, students failingmultiple courses. Schooladministrators meet with thesestudents on a weekly basis toidentify root problems andencourage the students to succeed.DiscussionLt. Governor Shelia Simonapplauded the participants for theircommitment to service and fortheir good ideas to help increasegraduation rates and healthylifestyles. “What you are workingon is significant for populationsthroughout the state. The questionnow is how we make it work.”Parternships for HealthCarbondale Community HighSchool is a school health centerlocated on campus and providesconvenient affordable, high-qualitymedical, dental and social servicesto students and their immediatefamily members. The goal of thefacility is to improve physical andmental health and prevent disease.Some benefits expected of schoolhealth services include reduced absencesand lost school time, promotionof healthy lifestyles, comprehensiveand coordinated deliveryof services (medical, dental, mentalhealth and health education). Partnersinclude: the Carbondale communityShawnee Health Service,Carbondale School District No 95 &165, Jackson County Health Department,Southern Illinois RegionalSocial Services, Southern IllinoisHealthcare Community BenefitsDepartment.Ideas and Action• Resource Fairs to provideeducation for parents on whatthey can do to help their studentsucceed.• Introduce an Adopt-A-Studentprogram at the College InformationFair. This program would recruitvolunteers for the Career Guideprogram that is currently operatedthrough the Educational Programmingoffice.20 Continuance Magazine Fall 2010/Winter 2011

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessSoutheastern Illinois CollegeCommunication challenges for all generations: Beingaware of resources and services!November 16 - HarrisburgDr. Dana KeatingVice President for Academic AffairsA Communication ChallengeThere are numerous programsand services available to seniorcitizens in the region to addresstheir needs. One challenge is tomake sure that those who need theservices are aware of them, andcan access them. One problem isthe frustration of communicatingwith the appropriate person whentrying to access a service. Manyinstitutions, agencies and officeshave automated telephone systemsthat can become frustrating forsenior adults. Many simply don’thave the knowledge, skill andability to work through some ofthese systems to get to the rightperson, or a person at all. Someagencies require that a persondivulge a great deal of private,personal information in order toreceive services. Senior adults arefearful of providing this informationgiven the threat of identity theft.Without knowledgeable familymembers to assist, many maynot be making good decisions,which could affect their accessto or quality of health care andother services. Therefore, whilemany services may be available,the group felt there are barriers toaccessing these services to thosewho probably need them the most.Success StoryThis student’s story started atSoutheastern Illinois College onAugust 31, 2010, and has alreadyinvolved many departments. Thestudent enrolled in the fall GEDprogram. With the assistance of theinstructors and the pilot program ofintroducing a Math tutor into theclassroom, the student completedhis GED by October 2010. Hesaid “Honestly, if it were not forthe special classes I would nothave passed the GED exam.” Hecontinued, “If you’re willing to putin the effort, obtaining your GED isdefinitely worth it!”Once obtaining his GED the studentimmediately signed up for 18 credithours for the Spring 2011 semester.college courses. He has overcomemany of life’s obstacles, but in theface of adversity, he ignored thenegatives and always focused onthe positive. The student readilytouts the success of the GEDprogram as well as the valuableassistance he received from thecollege in general. He is a highlymotivated individual and is eagerto help others. Since he obtained hisGED, he has volunteered to speakto others about his experience.Local DiscussionThe region served by SoutheasternIllinois College is addressing theproblem of high school dropoutsby programs generally provided bythe public schools and the College.The public schools provide thetraditional supportive programs,including two alternative schools.At least one high school has aspecial program/support groupfor pregnant students with thePresident Jonah Rice“Philosopher George Santayanacautioned us to remember ourpast lest we repeat mistakes fromit. I believe it is vital that we learnfrom previous generations andtreat them as valuable resources ofknowledge and tradition in orderto make progressive change for oursociety and culture.For those who do drop out of highschool, the College provides manyavenues of support through GEDprograms, the Student SuccessCenter, and tutoring programs toassist them to overcome barriersand move them to the next level ofpost-secondary education.”goal of keeping them in highschool throughout and after theirpregnancy. The College providesa number of dual credit career andtechnical education programs thatprovide “hands-on” programs forstudents, which are tuition free.Ideas and Action• Stronger Coalition: Furtherexpansion of the interagencycouncil to ensure that it is inclusive• Marketing Campaign: The explorationof a possible cooperativeeducational marketing campaignand/or comprehensive marketingpiece to better educate target populationsabout available services• Volunteer Program: High schoolvolunteer programs could be initiated,and SIC’s volunteer programcould be further expanded.http://www.iii.siuc.edu/ 21

Southwestern Illinois CollegeIt is important to connect the networks and learn howeach network could assist in meeting community needs.Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessDecember 2 - BellevilleValerie Thaxton, Vice President,Student, Campus & CommunityServicesSuccess Story: A Volunteer WhoMakes a DifferenceMrs. G., age 75 and a FosterGrandparent volunteers at theSIUE Bluffview Head Start Center inCaseyville, IL. The Center prepareschildren for school through reading,writing, language development, andteaching social and emotional skills.Many of the children come from migrantfamilies. Volunteering for fouryears, Mrs. G. has a gift for assistingchildren identified as having socialand emotional difficulties.When asked how volunteeringtouches her life, Mrs. G replied,“Each morning. I wake up knowingthat I am making a difference in thelives of so many young people. Beinga Foster Grandparent volunteerhas helped me remain physicallyactive and has given me an outlet tocontinue focusing on others.”The Local Discussion was invigoratingand informative as evidenced bythe fact that many of the participantshave expressed a desire to reconveneto further discuss partnershipopportunities that have a win-winpotential with partners focusing ona common goal. The participantsstressed the importance of relationshipswith service providers – “youcan’t refer people to opportunitiesyou don’t know about.”There was consensus that it is importantto connect networks and tolearn how each network could assistin meeting community needs.We must get better at establishingbaseline information and at effectivelyevaluating program/service impactin order to garner more resourcesby writing competitive grants.Good grants require good data.Participants agreed that relationshipsare key to addressing dropoutissues, older adult service issues andnetworking/referrals among agencies.Tutoring, truancy initiatives,4H clubs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters,scouting programs, RSVP, FosterGrandparents and AmeriCorps andmany other entities have programswhere engaged volunteers havebeen successful at establishing relationshipswith students (and theirfamilies) and providing support.Many of these programs are intergenerationaland depend on adultsand retirees to serve as volunteers.Participants agreed that the “relationship”was just as important tothe volunteer and that such volunteeropportunities enhanced thequality of volunteers’ lives.The Regional Offices of Educationhave programs which address dropoutsand the schools have supportprograms. SWIC has a High SchoolAcademy summer remediation programand the YMCA provides tutoringto help kids stay in school.President Georgia Costello“We all need someone in our liveswho expects a lot of us, holds usaccountable, teaches the moralvalues, and instills integrity andcourage to carry on. Older adultsand students give each other thissupport.”Ideas and Action:Current connections between aging,education and service are good, butcould be strengthened by determiningbarriers to service and by morecollaborative efforts.1) There was consensus that barriersto volunteering need to bereviewed; many volunteers whomight significantly impact the livesof others are deterred by barriers.2) Participants agreed that wemust continue to collaborate and tofocus on aspects of programs thatfoster relationships with peopleand entities. As a region, we mustdetermine our collective needs inthese targeted areas and bring thepartners together who can addressthese needs.3) The legislature creates an opportunityto communicate its needs atthe local level by making targetedfunds available; targeted fundswould be welcomed.4) Without adding another layer ofbureaucracy, there is a benefit to establishinga mechanism to connectthe various service networks in theregion.http://www.iii.siuc.edu/ 23

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessHarold Washington CollegeWhen students need a sounding board for job seekingand higher-ed decision-making, older adults can help.President John H. Metoyer“The local discussion provided anopportunity to listen as individualsdescribed what was happeningin their local communities andhow working together canspark new momentum throughintergenerational civic engagementto increase graduation rates andpromote healthy lifestyles.”November 19 - ChicagoAnna Blum, Dean, ContinuingEducation and Special ProgramsSuccess StoriesThe City Colleges of Chicagopartner with the Division onAging to offer Life Long Learnerprograms. The colleges offercourses to those 60+ at varioussenior centers in the City ofChicago without cost. Some of theclasses offered include Introductionto Electronics, Computer Basics,Basic and Advanced DigitalPhotography, Working with Clay.A story about intergenerationalcommunication developed duringthe Fall 2010 semester when HaroldWashington College assigneda 27-year-old instructor to theIntroduction to Electronics class.Thiry-five students of all agesattended. The instructor heldan M.S. degree in Gerontology.The computer basics class with17 students was assigned to ayoung instructor as well. Seniorsin these intergenerational classesappeared engaged with theiryounger instructors. For example,the students in the computercourse wanted their instructors toelaborate on the value of computerspeed and consumer software.Students in the electronics classrequested guidance in areas such asFacebook and on-line consumerism.Both instructors reported that thelevel of student engagement washigh. Most important, both studentsand instructors gained insight fromthese intergenerational informationsharing classes.Instructors requestedmore assignments with Seniors. Fortheir part, older learners requestedpermission to keep in touch withtheir instructors.DiscussionsDuring the Local Discussion, wefocused on nutrition and healthylife styles as common factorsaffecting learning abilities. Bridgingthe gap between cultural andeconomic abilities to chose healthylife styles as well as nutritionaloptions led us to a spiriteddiscussion on the possibilities ofurban agriculture, canning, knittingand oral historiesIn closing, the value of service learningand community involvementwas discussed. Attendees from communitybased organizations wereencouraged to contact the servicelearning coordinator at HaroldWashington College.Ideas and Action• Examples of ways to incorporatenutrition and healthy life stylesincluded offering canning and foodpreserving classes in the publicschools and/or via local cable TVstations.• School building or communityresources could be utilizedduring the summer months.Intergenerational communicationand learning would occur.Additionally, instruction oncanning and preserving skills couldincorporate some basic science andgreen living skills.We also explored the possibilityof public schools partnering withgrocery chains along these samelines.Next we focused on theintergenerational component as itrelates to creating better pathwaysand opportunities for students.• Creating initiatives for olderadults in the various communities/neighborhoods mentor students insuch areas as job seeking, or highereducation decision making.• Creating nurturing andsupportive relationships betweenstudents still in public schoolsor students looking to enter theworkforce.• The Silver Lining Foundationoffered to devote a segment on theircable television show to showcasesome of the ideas we discussed.24 Continuance Magazine Fall 2010/Winter 2011

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessEast St. Louis Community College CenterIt takes a village to raise a child: the sad reality is that ittakes a village to allow a child to fall through the cracks.November 8 - East St. LouisSuccess StoriesSharon Ward and her nephewdelivered food boxes to SeniorCitizens throughout the community.At her local church, they gatherwith other youth to sort, packageand deliver food to seniors in thecommunity. Annually, CollegeStudents come home for theholidays, volunteer on Thanksgivingand Christmas to serve people hotHoliday meals. These experiencesgive the youth an opportunity toappreciate the blessings of unityand giving. When they work toprepare the baskets of food, theydepend upon each other to completea project successfully.However, the project isn’t completeuntil they can see the smiles on thefaces of people who have lived andloved in the churches and in thecommunity where the youth nowlive and love in. The greatest joyfor the youth is in realizing that theywere responsible for the smiles thatthey see on the faces of folks whoused to make them smile: formerSunday school teachers, retiredteachers, retired local businessmenand women, grandparents, auntsand uncles, neighbors and friends.These retired individuals alsobecome the teachers in their afterschool tutoring program. Thispicture is juxtaposed against thepopular picture of delinquent youthbringing harm to seniors. Thisis the type of activity that shouldbe replicated during the holidayseasons and throughout the yearas well…throughout the entirecommunity.Overall, our discussion wasinformative and offered promiseof great things to come. The groupnoted several intergenerationalthrusts in the East St. Louiscommunity which have notbeen identified as such. Forexample, several organizationsin our community are addressingdropouts and promoting healthylifestyles for all ages throughmentoring programs. Othergroups, like churches and otherfaith-based organizations havehosted children’s programsand services for years utilizingthe volunteer services of seniorcitizens, (after school activities withFoster Grandparents, Real Men/Women Read, tutoring, volunteerclassroom aids, and more) Wenoted that the connections betweenaging, education and service havebeen overlooked, and the benefitshave been minimized, althoughintergenerational communityrelationships seem to be quiteprevalent in this area.Ideas and Action1) Target existing intergenerationalinitiatives which already functionwell in this area.2) Identify other initiatives whichmay work for this community.3) Pool resources of the variousinitiatives to maximize effectiveness.4) Engage as many youth as possiblein activities which emphasize.Director Anita Brandon“Through the years, it took somelevel of collaborative inactivity forus to reach the devastating dropoutrates that we see in our publicschool systems across this greatstate and country. Hence, it willnecessarily take a greater level ofintentional collaborative activitywithin this and other villagesthroughout the state and country toundo a great damage. I am hopefulthat this and other discussiongroups can make a difference inthe lives of youth, older adults andeveryone else who reside in theEast St. Louis area. Inasmuch asthe old adage, ‘It takes a village toraise a child’ is true, the sad realityremains that, It takes a village toallow a child to fall through thecracks.”learning from and volunteeringservices to others.5) Promote story telling” and oralhistory local seniors can share therich history of the proud and strongpeople of East St. Louis.6) Engage older adults in Africandance projects with the youth onthe ESL Higher Education Campus;Hosting intergenerational poetryand spoken word events withteens/college students and olderadults.7) Invite local seniors to ESLCCC tohave tea and talks with young menand women about challenges in life.http://www.iii.siuc.edu/ 25

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessKaskaskia CollegeThe Core Values Team visits elementary and secondaryschools to talk about higher education, graduating fromhigh school and staying in school.President James Underwood“We believe through a partnershipof the colleges, public agencies,the schools, and the business andindustry sector, much can be andwill be accomplished.”December 2 - CentraliaKelli Henegar, Dean of Arts &ScienceSuccess StoriesEvery Tuesday, Wednesday, andThursday, a group of businessand community leaders come toCentralia Junior High School to eatlunch with their designated mentee.Each child receives individualattention from the same mentorweek after week, and positiverelationships are developed. Whenan adult takes time out of their dayto sit and talk with a child, it sendsa strong message to the child abouthow much others care about theirsuccess. Over the last two years,teachers have noticed an increase instudent’s self-esteem and academicachievement of those studentsparticipating.Another program at the CentraliaJunior High School features a partnershipwith the Centralia SouthernIllinois Networking Association toprovide a mentoring program forjunior high age students who arehaving academic or social difficulties.Over the last two years, theSuper Heroes mentoring programhas provided long term one-on-oneguidance and support to over 15students. Kaskaskia College will beparticipating in this program withseveral faculty and staff membersvolunteering as a result of the LocalDiscussion.Several groups discussed the needfor an early reading interventionprogram for students at theelementary level. Equally vitalto the success of a student, is thesupport at home. Building strongerrelationships with the student’sfamily was highlighted as a keyarea of concern. Providing strongerconnections to the family providesthe schools the opportunityto support the family and thestudent in the learning process.The participants recommendedthat educational programs beestablished for the parents thathelp parents with raising bothelementary and secondary agestudents. Possible program topicsdiscussed included: importance ofreading at a young level, propernutrition, proper dental hygiene,community resources, drugs, teenpregnancy, saving for college, andpreparing for college.The Ambassdors Program recruitsretirees to assist at cultural eventsheld on campus. The Ambassadorsalso volunteer their servicesthrough the Kaskaskia CollegeReading Link program thatprovides free tutoring for the adulteducation programs at the college.These programs include adult basiceducation, GED, and English as aSecond Language.Leaders from the Core Values Teamvisit elementary and secondaryschools, and share their insightsThe Team briefs younger studentson higher education opportunities,graduating from high school, andstaying in school.Ideas and Action• Early intervention programs forstudents who are at risk of earlydrop-out.• Consistency in credit values inIllinois secondary education schoolsystems will make it easier for studentswho transfer to a differenthigh school.• Expansion of health fairs at highschools and community venues• Nutritional education andawareness for high school studentsand the elderly.• A program to encouragegrowing your own healthy foodsor a neighborhood program thatsupports a community garden andcreation of small businesses bystudents.• Stronger sex education programsat the high school/junior high level.• A summer program to helpstudents catch up academicallywith their class.26 Continuance Magazine Fall 2010/Winter 2011

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessHarper CollegeThere was consensus about the energy that civically engagedolder adults can bring to schools.November 16 - PalatineMark Mrozinski, Dean ofContinuing EducationSuccess StoryThe Community ConsolidatedDistrict 15, serving the Palatinearea, features a program called SeniorExchange. Over the years, retireeslike Joe Arrigo, who visits classroomswith his creative science called FromPeanut Butter to Diamonds. An organicchemist, Arrigo is a walkingadvertisement for science. He spent27 challenging years in industrialresearch, then launched his secondcareer lecturing, writing, and teachingreal-world chemistry. Now heis in his third career, describing theimpact of chemistry to young peopleand helping them learn about scienceas a possible career.DiscussionPresident Kenneth Ender, presidentof Harper College, invited 17education and aging professionalsto Harper’s campus to discuss theissues of health, civic engagement,and high school dropout rates.The participants shared vignettes ofrecent successes in the areas of studentachievement and intergenerationalprogramming. For example,one district related increases inmath scores as a result of a multigenerationalfamily learning program.Through this initiative, thedistrict has increased family partnershipsand connections betweenfamilies and the school. The nextarea of focus for that district will beliteracy efforts and mentoring programsfor middle school students.Discussion naturally transitionedto intergenerational collaborations,and more specifically, how seniorserving organizations are currentlyengaging older adults with today’syouth. Everyone noted the energyand impact that civically engagedolder adults can bring to theprimary and secondary educationenvironment. Several examples werecited that demonstrated this impact.Finally, obstacles and future goalswere discussed. Participants agreedthat lack of coordination betweenorganizations did not allow forthe leveraging of resources, andin many cases, partnerships werereinventing the wheel when areadily available model might savemuch time in planning. Participantsalso noted the lack of resourcesneeded to fulfill legal and regulatoryissues when bringing older adultsinto the educational process.Participants agreed that arepresentative group of educatorsand senior serving organizationsshould be established for thepurposes of collaboration andcoordination of services andprograms. New intergenerationalprograms might be spawned thatwould benefit both youth andolder adults. The local communitycollege is the obvious hub for thisdiscussion. As Harper Collegerecently launched an aggressivestrategic plan focused onstudent success, there is a certainPresident Kenneth Ender“In order for the next generationto earn a middle class wage, apost-secondary education willbe required. Thus, we must doeverything in our power to preparestudents for credentials beyondhigh school. Older adults, throughcivic engagement and service, canfill a vital role in helping studentsprepare for, and succeed in postsecondaryeducation.”confluence of vision, which joinsthe College with primary andsecondary educators, and theuntapped resource that older adultsplay in the educational process.Ideas and Action• Conduct an inventory of allthe volunteer programs andpartnerships among schools andsenior serving organizations inHarper College’s district.• Shift focus from dropout rates tocollege readiness. College readinessmay resonate more strongly withlocal educators.• Review dropout and collegereadiness data for high schooldistricts within Harper’s community.• Explore resource sharingamong schools and senior servingorganizations, specifically withregard to intergenerationalprogramming.• Explore grants to provide resourcesto schools and senior-servingorganizations for assisting with thedevelopment of volunteer programs.http://www.iii.siuc.edu/ 27

Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessSouth Suburban CollegePart of the disconnect between generations is theknowledge and understandingPresident George Dammer“Working with older adults andyouth are two high prioritiesat South Suburban College andconnecting the two groups isespecially rewarding.”November 30 - South HollandBecky Adave, Dean, ExtensionServicesSuccess StoryThornton Township has theZAP Senior Lawn Care, whichprovides low-cost basic lawnmaintenance for senior residentsresiding in single family homeswho need assistance with routinelawn tasks. They hire studentsfrom High School Districts 205and 215, who are recommendedby the school counselor and/orprincipal based on their academicand attendance merits. It is a greatexperience for both the seniorsand the students. It has changedperspectives for both groups—theseniors have learned that thestudents are not all thugs andthe students have learned thatseniors are not all mean. In somecases, relationships have beenbuilt outside the program, wherestudents are doing other chores forthe seniors.Sandy Bein, SSC faculty, told abouther 16-week intergenerationalcommunication class. “In thebeginning the older students areshocked at the values, or lackof them, in the 18 - 19- year-oldstudents.” Bein said “Somethingmagical happens during those 16weeks. Since it is a communicationclass, there is a lot of dialogduring the course of the semester.Gradually understanding isdeveloped between the students,old and young. “I’m not sure howit happens, but it is very powerful.”Just being in this intergenerationalgroup has helped the studentsappreciate the differences betweengenerations.Aunt Martha’s Teen REACHprovides a comprehensive, familycentered, prevention programaimed at youth, ages 11-13, who arein need of improved educationalperformance. Other servicesinclude tutoring, recreation,mentoring, substance-abuseprevention, life skills education andparental activities. Aunt Martha’shas a number of group homes.Each group home hosts an eveningthat different organizations bringdonated gifts. The children are thehosts and hostesses. They readpoetry that they have written andtalk about what’s going on withthem.High School District 205 is creatinga freshman academy in one of theirbuildings to better address thechallenges that incoming freshmanface and better prepare them forhigh school with a comprehensivesupport system.Some of the strengths of ourdiscussions were the number andvariety of experts in the room, bothfrom South Suburban College andoutside agencies and organizations.The conversations had a verypositive tone; the guests werepleased to be included and willingand eager to come back again for afollow-up meeting.Ideas and Action•The services that are availableare unknown; there needs to bea liaison between the serviceorganizations. Is that a rolethe community college shouldplay? Also, a resource book wassuggested.•Coordination of volunteers is needed,which would include fundingfor such a position or group.• Part of the disconnect betweengenerations is knowledge andunderstanding; there needs to beteaching each generation about theothers. Baby boomers, GenerationX, Generation Y or Millennial andnow Generation Z.• Increasing parental involvementwas widely discussed in each groupas well as partnering with groupsto provide mentoring for bothstudents and parents.South Suburban College was askedby the attendees to host a follow-upmeeting in a few months, bringingback the same attendees but alsoadding the same of number ofstudents to the group. We willschedule that for February orMarch.28 Continuance Magazine Fall 2010/Winter 2011

Highland Community CollegeIn many cases volunteers were thrilled to be asked--notonly to volunteer but to participate in social activities.Stories and Ideas for Increasing Graduation Rates and WellnessNovember 6 - FreeportSuccess StoryTwo retired executives host anafter school tutoring programin their small community, withthe blessing of the school. Whilethey know that this cannot bereplicated in all communities, theyhave seen positive results with thestudents and with the people whoparticipate. In many cases theyreported that the volunteers werethrilled to be asked. They stressedthe need to ask people, not justto volunteer, but to join in socialactivities as that social connectionis what they believe is the key toliving a healthy lifestyle. This isespecially important in small ruralcommunities.DiscussionPresident Joe Kanosky opened theForum by explaining the purposefor the discussion and its focus oninter-generational issues includingeducation, retention of students andengaging older adults in service.One theme that emerged was thatthere are opportunities everywherebut people may not be aware ofthem, or they simply do not knowhow to get involved. Clearly askingis an important part of a successfulvolunteer experience. However,once asked and encouraged, mostwill choose to volunteer.Discussion related to the volunteerexperiences of the retirees in theForum included: sharing the senseof fulfillment that comes fromworking in the school district. Theappreciation of the children is areward. Volunteers do not alwaysthink of themselves as volunteeringrather they consider themselves tobe working in the community. Mostvolunteers learn about opportunitiesthrough their network of friendsand they are often recruited to help.When asked how organizations canencourage others to volunteer, theparticipants suggested VolunteerMatch, an Internet program thatprovides broad opportunitiesacross the country. Also serviceclubs and their networks can helppublicize volunteer opportunities.Since transportation may be aproblem, creative solutions are keyto connecting the volunteer withthe service opportunity.Ideas and Action• People need to be invited andtake responsibility for stayinginvolved.• Need to give people a chore orjob to do to get them involved.• Governor should help buildawareness that seniors have animportant role to play.• Need better communicationto reach out to others and invitethem to participate. A communitycalendar with inter-organizationalcommunication would be helpful.• Organizations should gettogether and share information andpromote jointly.President Joe Kanosky“Intergenerational connections areimportant to young and old. Theparticipants get as much if not morethan they give in self-worth andbeing able to continue to contributein a meaningful way. This elementof feeling valued and still beingable to contribute was expressedas a critical component of bothmental and physical well being andfocusing on a healthy lifestyle. Theretired generation has so much tooffer and they are just as hungryfor the contact with youngergenerations and their peers.”• Need to support more volunteercoordination and supervision;promote through local agencies andprograms.• Career Focus, a collegepublication, is for young people.They would like to see a lifelonglearning feature.• Publicize information aboutvolunteering through the seniormagazine/newspaper forvolunteers, in churches, througholder learner programs, andthrough schools –– students takinginformation to their parents orolder neighbors.http://www.iii.siuc.edu/ 29

Participants in the Local DiscussionsDanville Area Community CollegeNancy Bates, DACC Foundation; Angela Dabney, Crystal Darnell, Senior; Veterans Administration;Gladys Davis, Laura Lee Fellowship House; Chalmers Flint, Hoopeston Multi Agency; Louise Free,DACC Reader’s Route; Diane Hampel, Danville District 118; Alice Marie Jacobs, President DACC;Larry Jahn, Hoopeston School Board Jonathon Jett, Vermilion County Job Training Partnership;;Jan Kempe, Small Business Development Center and CASA; Alice Kirby, Project Success; ErynLane, DACC Presidential Scholar; Veronica Martin, CRIS Healthy Aging Center; Amy Marchant,CRIS Healthy Aging Center; Vickie Miller, DACC Board of Trustees; Jeanne Mulvaney, United Way;Cindy Nicholas, DACC Recruitment and Retention; Kimberly Norton, Danville District 118; JanetRedenbaugh, DACC Math and Science Dean; Cheryl Reifsteck, Regional Office of Education; BobRice, Danville Catholic Schools; Connie Schroeder, DACC Nursing; Dick Shockey, Lakeview Collegeof Nursing; Sara Van De Walker, DACC Corporate and Community Education; LaToya Young, DACCTRIO ProgramEast St. Louis Community College CenterSharon Ward, Mt. Zion Baptist Church member and economic development specialist; Billie Turner, U ofI, E. St. Louis Action Research Project (ESLARP) (community liaison); Jessica Freiberger, Grad. Student,Washington Univ. Brown School of Social Work (community organizer); Sr. Beth Marie Ruder, CatholicUrban Programs (recreation after school youth programs); Les Johnson, Southwestern Illinois College atESLCCC, (Adult Education); Treasure Williams, Southwestern Illinois College at ESLCCC, (English Professor);Anita Brandon, East St. Louis Community College Center (ESLCCC), Director.Illinois Central CollegeAdam Alhassan, Community Participant; Sarah Alhassan, Community Participant; Rita Ali, Exec.Dir. Of Diversity, lCC; Deb Berardi, CDSMP Program Manager, Central IL Agency on Aging; Marcia Bolden,Director, TRiO Upward Bound, ICC; Destini Bond,Upward Bound Student, ICC; Molly Bright,RetiredTeacher, Peoria Public Schools; Andy Chiou, Vascular Surgeon/Guest Speaker, Peoria Surgical Group;Cindy Clark, Asst. Principal Peoria High School; Cydney Condit, Instructor – Health Careers, ICC; KellyCrawford-Jones, Assoc. Prof., Health Careers, ICC; Kerishena Deal, Upward Bound student, ICC; Tim Delinski,Instruct. Improvement Off.-Primary, Peoria Public Schools; Ann Eads, Upward Bound Tutor, ICC;Joyce Edwards, Special Projects Coordinator, Workforce Network; John Erwin, President, ICC; KarhmenFeurtado, Director TRiO SSS, ICC; Jeannie Gullett, Advisor, TriO SSS, ICC; Shellie Hardimon,Advisor/Transfer Liaison, ICC; Donna Huisenga, Assist. Prof., AIT, ICC; Marcell Hulbert, VISTA- VolunteerCoordinator, RSVP, Inc.; Revonda Johnson, Instruc. Improvement Off-Middle/HS,Peoria Public Schools;Christie Joiner, Upward Bound Student, ICC; Linvela Jones-Reeves Upward Bound Student, ICC;Ashley Kimme, Volunteer Coordinator, RSVP, Inc.; Tara Lindsay, Retention Coordinator, ICC; ManassehMorris, Upward Bound Student, ICC; Javier Rivera, ICC Student/Guest Speaker, ICC; Joann Olson, Accountant,Central IL Agency on Aging; Erika Pam, Upward Bound student, ICC; Trustee James Polk, ICCTrustee; Marge Semmen, Representative PC; Esther Smith, Upward Bound student, ICC; Anh Strow,Prof.-Health Careers, ICC; Sierra Sturdivant, Upward Bound student, ICC; Tierra Sturdivant, UpwardBound student, ICC; Salina Thomas, Upward Bound student, ICC; Kathryn Timmes, Retired Counselor,Peoria Public Schools; Jill Wright, Prof./Dean of English, ICC.Heartland Community CollegeSarah Baker, Coordinator of Workforce Services, HCC; Kim Barman, Dean of Community and CorporateEducation, HCC; Jill Blair, Dean of Adult Education, HCC; Candace Brownlee, Director of StudentRecruitment, HCC; Amita Chakravarty, Coordinator of Career/Technical Student Services, HCC; LisaCole, Faculty Academic Support, HCC; Robert Dean, Superintendent, ISU Laboratory School; SarahDielHunt, Dean of Social and Business Science, HCC; Jerry Farris, Superintendent, Flanagan CommunityUnit #74; Tom Frazier, Director, Bloomington Area Career Center; Phyllis Glazier, Director,Regional Office of Education #43; Allen Goben, President, HCC; Tera Graves, Director, Livingston AreaCareer Center; Dan Hagberg, Dean of Math and Science, HCC; Garry Hendricks, SF Promise Council,State Farm Insurance Companies; Jeffrey Hill, Principal, University High School; Janet Hill-Getz,Executive Director of Marketing, HCC; Glen Hoffman, Director, Regional Office of Education #17; BradHutchinson, Superintendent, Olympia Community District #16; Gayle Johnson, Academic Advisor II,HCC; Rick Johnston, Superintendent, El Paso-Gridley Unit #11; Kim Kelley, Director of Testing Services,HCC; Jon Kilgore, Principal, Pontiac Township High School; Bethany Kriegsman, Dean of Humanitiesand Fine Arts, HCC; Jeff Krumwiede, Guidance Counselor, Central Catholic; Mary Ann Manos, Superintendent,Hartsburg-Emden High School; Tom McCulley, Instructional Chair of English, HCC; RandallMerker, Superintendent, Heyworth Community Unit #4; Steve Mintus, Assistant Principal, NormalCommunity High School; Curt Nettles, Superintendent, Lexington Community Unit #7; Gary Niehaus,Superintendent, McLean County Unit District #5; Cecilia Olivares, Director of Advisement, HCC; ColleenReynolds, Director of Alumni Relations, HCC; Allan Saaf, Vice President of Instruction, HCC; Teri Saxton,Dean of Health and Humanities, HCC; Bob Shaw, Dean of Technical Instruction, HCC; Padric Shinville,Dean of Academic Support, HCC; Stacey Shrewsbury, Lead Flight Director, HCC; Curt Simonson,Superintendent, Tri-Valley Community Unit #3; Rachelle Stivers, Director of Library and InformationServices, HCC; Lance Thurman, Principal, Olympia High School; Mary Beth Trakinat, Vice Presidentof Continuing Education, HCC; Karen Valouche, Counselor, University High School; Reg Washington,SF Promise Council, State Farm Insurance Companies; Pam Westerdahl, Director of Employment andWorkforce Services, HCC.William Rainey Harper CollegeMack Baxter, Schaumburg High School (Township High School District 211); Dr. Scott Cashman,WRHC; Karen Daly, CCSD 21; Mike Field, Township High School District 214; Dr. Bonnie Henry, HarperCollege Annuitants Association; Shirley Garrison, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church; Sarah Hoban, BarringtonArea Council on Aging; Rebecca Hume, Arlington Heights Senior Center; Diane Lancour, PalatineTownship Senior Center ; Jeannette Magdaleno, Friendship Village; Fredia Martin (note taker),WRHC; Mike McCann, Friendship Village; Dr. Mark Mrozinski (facilitator), WRHC; Joyce Palmquist,Barrington Area Council on Aging; Chris Petrik, Addolorata Village; Debra Strauss, Illinois PTA.Black Hawk CollegeDean Bacon, Boys & Girls Club; Jeff Blackwell; BHC Family Literacy Program; Jenny Garner,University of Illinois Extension; Virginia Jarrett, Rock Island Schools; Glenda Nicke, Associate Deanof Extended Education Programs, BHC; Jayne O’Brien, Achieve Quad Cities, United Way; CindySwanson, Mississippi Bend AEA / Iowa.Highland Community CollegePresident Joe Kanosky, HCC President; Kelly Hillan, Senior Resource Center; Mike Shore, Retired andSenior Volunteer Program; Liz Gerber, HCC; retirees, Virginia Rinehart, Lucille Alden, Phil LaBergen,Karen LaBergen, Deloris Wampfler, Shirley Parson, Don Culp, Jean Meinert, DuWayne Pople, C.J.Denekas, Bill Kibble, Jim Stem, Marg Schemerpfing, Kittye Senneff, Bill Senneff, Selena Beadle,Eileen KueheSoutheastern Illinois CollegeDarlene Dearing, Community Education Secretary and senior citizen, SIC; Jane Flannigan,Part-time Dean of Community Education and retiree, SIC; Donna Hearn, Community EducationSupervisor, SIC; June Jamison, Rides Mass Transit Coordinator, Rides Mass Transit; Dr. DanaKeating, Vice President for Academic Affairs, SIC; Barbara Keller, Nursing Faculty Member, SIC; LuMaddox, Community Volunteer, Walker & Associates; Andrea McRoy, college student, SIC; SylviaMoore, Nursing Faculty Member, SIC; Valeria Potter, Training Specialist, Mid-Five Employment andTraining (WIA); Dr. Jonah Rice, President, SIC; Ed Rose, Retention Specialist, SIC.Southwestern Illinois CollegeCheryl Brunsmann, SIUE; Theresa Collins, Senior Services Plus; Dr. Robert Daiber, Madison CountyRegional Office of Education; Kelton Davis, Monroe/Randolph Regional Office of Education; JaniceDorris, Retired Educator; Dale Fiedler, Southern Illinois HealthcareFoundation; Amanda Guinn, AmeriCorps; Sharon Hamilton, Programs and Services for OlderPersons; Kevin Hutchison, St. Clair County Health Department; Alice Jackson, St. Clair CountyOffice on Aging; Felicia Jackson, Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital; Linda Crawl Jackson, Universityof Illinois Extension; Dr. George Kohut, Belleville Township High School District 201; Dr. DebraMoore, St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department; Joy Paeth, Area Agency on Aging;Jorge Perez, Southwest Illinois YMCA; Marlene Powell, Senior Volunteer; Vicki Rose, Programsand Services for Older Persons; Susan Sarfaty, St. Clair County Regional Office of Education; Dr.Valerie Thaxton, Southwestern Illinois College; Kathy Thimsen, SIUE; Anne Thomure, MemorialHospital; Eugene Verdu, St. Clair County Office on Aging; Steve Wagoner, University of IllinoisExtension;Marquita Wiley, Senior Adult Volunteer, YMCA.Kaskaskia CollegeJordan Allen, Leadership Student, KC; Lisa Atkins, Director of Adult Education and Literacy, KC;Amanda Bathon, Leadership Student, KC; Susan Batchelor, Dean of Nursing, KC; Ann Childerson,Leadership Student, KC; Dustin Foutch, Principal, Centralia Junior High School; Vanessa Frank,Leadership Student, KC; Keri Garrett, Regional Superintendent of Schools, Clinton, Marion, andWashington Counties; Tiffany Geppert, Leadership Student, KC; Megan Green, Leadership Student,KC; Anthony Hallam, Leadership Student, KC; Kellie Henegar, Dean of Arts and Sciences, KC;Thomas Henegar, Senior Minister, First Christian Church, Centralia; Benjamin Huston, LeadershipStudent, KC; Jared Jewell, Leadership Student, KC; Cathy Karrick, Director of Public Information,KC; Sylvia Mahle, Community Services Coordinator, Midland Area Agency on Aging – Fayette,Effingham, Marion, Clay, and Jefferson Counties; Dustin Neff, Leadership Student, KC; LaurenNetemeyer, Leadership Student, KC; Katie Price, Leadership Student, KC; Ava Rawlings, Dean of Careerand Technical Education, KC; Cydney Richardson, Director of Community Education, KC; JohnSee, Leadership Student, KC; Scott Smith, Leadership Student, KC; James Underwood, President,KC; Ashley Woodrome, Leadership Student, KC; Susie Wurth, Professor of Education, KC.30 Continuance Magazine Fall 2010/Winter 2011

College of Lake CountyJames Benton, President, Lake County Retired Teachers Association; Pat Donald, Public HealthAdministrator, Lake County Health Department; Mike Downey, Retired Teacher, 50+ AdvisoryCommittee; Yvette Ewing, Consultant, ATP Enterprises; Carolyn Guthman, Executive Director, LakeCounty Council for Seniors; Tammie Sue Johnson, Interim Director, Center for Personal Enrichment,CLC; Cheryl Levi, Service Learning Liaison, North Shore School District 112; Don Miner, Director,Highland Park Youth Services; Beverly Phelps, Retention Specialist, CLC; Rodolfo Ruiz-Velasco,Title V Grant Manager, CLC; Laura Rovang, Program Specialist, CLC; Mey Spencer, PASS OutreachSpecialist, Lake County Regional Office of Education; Dr. Jerry Weber, President, CLC; RoyceleeWood, Superintendent, Lake County Regional Office of Education.John A. Logan CollegeSheila Simon, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois; Jane Angelis, Illinois Intergenerational Initiative,SIUC; Mark Collins, Superintendent, Herrin Unit District #4; Denise Crews, Associate Dean forEducational Programming, JALC; Tim Daugherty, Vice President for Administration, JALC; AmyErickson, President of Connecting All Parents with Schools, Carbondale, IL; Scott Fitzgerald, Editor,The Southern Illinois; Toyin Fox, Director of Education Planning, JALC; Carletta Hanks, Public RelationsCoordinator; Rides Mass Transit, Mike Horn, Principal, Herrin Elementary School; Jeff Keener,Assistant Principal, Murphysboro High School; Pat Kittinger, Project Coordinator, JALC; Perry Knop,Professor of Political Science, JALC; Lorrie Lefler, Conference Coordinator, Division of ContinuingEducation, SIU, Mandy Little, Student Trustee, JALC, Student; Angie Mausey, Student Services andPrograms Department, CCHS; Patricia Mayberry, Retired parent Volunteer, Carbondale, Retiree;Brad McCormick, Vice President for Business Services, JALC; Robert Mees, President, JALC; JakeRendleman, Board of Trustees member, JALC; Steve Robinson, Principal, Herrin Middle School;Terry Ryker, Principal, Herrin High School; Julia Schroeder, Vice President for Instruction, JALC;Deana Smith, Secretary to the Dean for Instruction, JALC; John Smith, Executive Director, EgyptianArea on Aging; Cindy Webb, Community Outreach Liaison, Man-Tra-Con.Morton College7 Administrators, 3 Full-time Faculty, 2 Adjunct Faculty, 6 Staff, 1 Administrative Retiree, 17Student / Community Members, Participants include the following areas: Athletics, FitnessCenter, Student Development, Deans’ Offices, Office of the President, Institutional Research,Health Programs (e.g., Massage Therapy, Nursing, Physical Therapy Assistant), Adult Educationand Community Outreach, and the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center.DuPage Regional Office of EducationKathy Blair, Executive Director, Giving DuPage; Joseph Cassidy, Community Education, College ofDuPage; Val Dranias, President, Indian Prairie School District Union; Timothy Wierenga, AssistantSuperintendent, Naperville CUSD 203; Karen Kolb-Flude, Community Catalyst, Mather LifeWays; RussMarineau, HURRAH Volunteer, Naperville CUSD 203; Dr. Robert Rammer, Assistant Superintendent,Wheaton/Warrenville CUSD 200; Dr. Margo Sorrick, Assistant Superintendent, Wheaton/WarrenvilleCUSD 200; Bette Lawrence-Water, President, African American Leadership Roundtable; Mary Keating,Director, DuPage County Community Services; Mary Ellen Schaefer, DuPage County Community Services;Joan Fefferman, Wheaton League of Women Voters; Candice King, Executive Director, DuPageFederation on Human Services Reform; Diane Birkley, Board Member, Bloomingdale School District13; Maureen McHugh, Executive Director, DuPage Health Department; Karen Ayala, DuPage HealthDepartment; Deniece Hopkins, Illinois Educators Association (IEA); Roger Hopkins, President, ChooseDuPage; Carolyn Heiney, Board Member, AAUW - Wheaton/Glen Ellyn; James Caudill, Co-Director,Partners for Success; Gary Smit, Lincoln Center for Character Development; Pedro Valdez, Parent,Glenbard School District 87; Sandra Pihos, State Representative, Illinois House of Representatives; Dr.Darlene J. Ruscitti, Regional Superintendent, DuPage Regional Office of Education; John A. Glimco,Assistant Regional Superintendent, DuPage Regional Office of Education; Dr. Lourdes Ferrer, Equity &Excellence Consultant, DuPage Regional Office of Education; Dr. Olga Rammer, Director of AdministrativeServices, DuPage Regional Office of Education.Spoon River CollegeRandy Greenwell, Vice President of Instruction & Student Services, SRC; Carol Blackfelner, retired educator;Jim Hartford, Canton City Alderman; Emily Schoenfelder, Spoon River Partnership for EconomicDevelopment/Canton Area Chamber of Commerce; Janet Hartford, retiree; Chad Murphy, Directorof Secondary Education Programs, SRC; Phil Murphy, retired principal and current WIU Professor ofEducation; John Marshall, Superintendent of VIT School District; Mary England, Executive Director,Fulton County Health Department; Paul Grigsby, Executive Director of Canton Family YMCA; Ken Miars,Heartland Healthcare (Canton); Jeannie Arndt, Executive Director, YWCA Canton; Cheryl Hoffman,Dean of Nursing, SRC; Carol Davis, Vice President of Community Outreach, SRC; Julie Seeley, SRC.Shawnee Community CollegeDr. Larry Peterson, President; Jean Ellen Boyd, Dean of Instructional Services; James Darden,Dean of Adult Education and Alternative Instruction; Beth Darden, Executive Admin. Assistantto President/Board; Mary Smith, SCC CNA Coordinator/Instructor; Victoria Hudson, SCC Student;Jason Cook, SCC Student; Luis Gonzalez, SCC Student; Rosa Barringer, SCC Student; Kelly Beasley,SCC Student; Keeley Wright, SCC Student; Tricia Dawes, SCC Student; Carolyn Childs, SCC Student;Diedre Bell, SCC Student; Bryce Easterly, SCC Student; Carolann Robinson, SCC Student; ViolaHankla, Retiree and SCC Fitness Center Member; Tranklin Keedy, Retiree and SCC Fitness CenterMember; LeRoy T. Bourgeois, Retiree and SCC Fitness Center Member; Paul Bohannon, Retiree andSCC Fitness Center Member; Jane Bohannon, Retiree and SCC Fitness Center Member.Prairie State CollegeFavian Apata, Administrative Assistant, Center for Multi-Cultural Communities; Adenuga Atewologun,Vice-President, Academic Affairs, PSC; Genny Boesen, Executive Director, South Metro HigherEd. Consortium; Glen Borkowski, President, Dream Maker Bath and Kitchen; Mia Carter, CommunityRelations, Matteson Police Department; Marypat Corbett, Chief Operating Officer, Shay HealthCare Services; Julie DeLong, Coordinator, Continuing Professional Education, PSC; Glenda Dolliver,Clerk/ Typist, PSC; Eugene Dumas, Executive Director, Center for Multicultural Communities; BeckyEberhart Admave, Dean, Extension Services, South Suburban College; Juan Ellis, Outreach Specialist,Upward Bound Excel Program, Governors State University; Elaine Essary, Director of Marketing,Paradise Park Assisted Living; Pam Ethridge, Coordinator, PE and Fitness, PSC; Mary Fazzini,Peer Jury Coordinator, Homewood Flossmoor Peer Jury Program; Sheryl Ford, Executive SeniorDirector, Bloom Township; Marie Hansel, Dean, Health & Industrial Tech, PSC; Lee Helbert-Gordon,Director, Student Success Center, PSC; Tom Hysell, Director, Career Preparation Network; DoraIvory, Coordinator, Literacy Education, PSC; Paula Levickas, Academic Advisor, Governors StateUniversity; Helen Manley, Coordinator, Student Life, PSC; Kelly Mendez, Student, PSC; DeborahMorgan-Nelson, Client Consultant, Horizon Investment Services; Margaret Narcisi, Senior CareAdvisor, The Narcisi Group; April Patterson, Board Member, Ford Heights School District 169; DebraPrendergast, Dean, Mathematics and Science, PSC; Eric Radtke, President, PSC; Kathryn Rayford,Associate Director, F.U.T.U.R.E. Foundation; Mary Reaves, Vice-President / Dean of Students, PSC;John Regas, Literacy Program Volunteer, PSC; Jacqueline Sanders, Reverse Mortgage Consultant,Met Life; Sandy Schramm, Volunteer Coordinator, Horizon Hospice; Susan Solberg, Dean, LiberalArts, PSC; Kat Van Dusen, Independent Sales Director, Carmen Mary Kay Walker, Marketing, WaterfordEstates; Deb White, Division Leader, Primerica; Terri Winfree, Vice-President, Community andEconomic Development, PSC; Susan Wolf, Director, Chicago Heights Business CouncilSouth Suburban CollegeAdmave, Rebecca, Extension Services, South Suburban College; Babiarz, Allen, Business & CareerInstitute, South Suburban College; Beasland, Matthew, Community Education South SuburbanCollege; Burrows, Larry, Photography by Larry Burrows; Burrows, Nancy, Business & CareerInstitute, South Suburban College; Byrd, M.D., Jennifer, Aunt Martha’s Youth Services; Copenhaver,Cindy, Village of South Holland; DeYoung, Julie, Ingalls Memorial HospitalDwyer, Barb, Retired Educator; Ellis, Juan, Governors State University; Fortenberry, Evette, CommunityEducation, South Suburban College; Garcia, Carmen, Business & Career Institute, SouthSuburban College; Goff, Don, Retired Businessman; Grandmaison, Robert, Retired Educator; Legg,Kari Ann, Attorney; McCollough, Terry, Thornton Township Youth Committee; Needles, Dianne,Business & Career Institute, South Suburban College; Ponczak, Lydia, Oak Forest Community Television;Ramirez, Irene, Treasurer’s Office, South Suburban College ; Redler, Thomas, SCORE; Roache,Marjorie, Nursing, South Suburban College; Rowland, Jane, Calumet City Public Library; Rutzky,Alene, Jewish Federation, South Suburban Office; Rzonca, Denise, Business & Career Institute,South Suburban College; Segvich, Ronald, Business & Career Institute, South Suburban College;Sinde, Michael, Career Technical Education, Thornton Township High School Dist. 205; Smith, Rev.Dr. JC, Bethlehm Temple Baptist Church; Smith, Willie, Bethlehm Temple Baptist Church; Stocker,Jane Ellen, Community Education, South Suburban College; Stoettner, Janice, Career DevelopmentSystem; Suchor, Courtney, South Suburban Family Shelter; Taylor, Dr. Darryl, Lincoln ElementarySchool District 156; Tweeten, Doug, Retired; Zamudio, Alfredo, Business & Career Institute, SouthSuburban CollegeHarold Washington CollegeJohn Hader, Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs (Interim),HWC; Joyce Gallagher, ExecutiveDirector, Chicago Department of Family & Support Services, Senior Services Area Agency on Aging;Dr.Sandy Goldberg, CEO, A Silver Lining Foundation, NBC Chicago; Tricia Luzadder, Office of SpecialEducation and Support, Chicago Public Schools; Allison Donnelly,Office of Special Education and Support,Chicago Public Schools; Kristin Bivens, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Speech andTheater, HWC; Dr. Maria Malayter, CEO, Do What You Love Foundation; Mikki Brown, Project Exploration;Abby Smith, Encore Program Coordinator, HWC; Anna Blum, Dean, Continuing Education; EncoreProgram Director, HWC; Dr. Sammie Dortch,Chair, Applied Sciences Department, HWC.John Wood Community CollegeBarbara Richmiller, Adams County RSVP Advisory Council; Ken Heinze, JWCC Literacy tutor(retired), Laura Hyde, University of Illinois Extension; Debbie McCluer, Salvation Army VolunteerCoordinator; Mike Price, Salvation Army Youth Minister; Sandy Thomas, JWCC Support Services;Carolyn Warren, Chair, JWCC Education Dept.; Patricia Sullivan-Viniard, Asst. Superintendent,Quincy Public School; Kathy Brink, Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Monica Foster, JWCC AdultEducation Dept.; Cheryl Waterman, United Way of Adams County Director; Dr. Thomas Klincar,President, JWCC; Dr. John Letts, Vice-President, JWCC; LilliAnn Dittmer, JWCC Upward Bound;Sarah Bonness, Adams County RSVP, JWCC; Carla Gosney, Adams County RSVP, JWCC.http://www.iii.siuc.edu/ 31

The Interdependence of Generations ReportParticipants in the SummitNew Officers for the ServeIllinois CommissionMary Ann Akerman, Rock Valley College LIR; Dana Alvarez, Heartland Community College;Karen Ament, Illinois State University; Jo Anderson, US Dept. of Education; Jane Angelis;SIUC; Amy Ballanger-Cole; Kim Barman, Heartland Community College; Debra Baron, LoyolaUniversity; Jennifer Beal, Spoon River College; Amye Bean, RSVP of Eastern Iowa and WesternIllinois; Amber Berman, AmeriCorps; Andi Berryman, Illinois Community College Board; CarolBlackfelner, Spoon River College; Loren Blackfelner, Spoon River College; Anna Blum, HaroldWashington College; Julie Bobitt, East Central Iowa Area Agency on Aging; Tom Boward; MarthaBowman, IEA; Emily Cleer, Spoon River College; Douglas Brauer, Richland Community College;Cheryl Brunsmann, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; Barb Byrne, RSVP of Eastern Iowaand Western Illinois;Scott, Cashman, Harper College; Carolyn Clay, Eastern Illinois University; Ray Cleer, Spoon RiverCollege; Cydney Condit, Illinois Central College; Kathy Conley, Illinois State University; JanetCook, State Universities Annuitants Association; Marcia Cook, Christian Village; Kelli Covey,Center for Civic Education; Jennifer Creasey, AARP; Vanna Cunnihgham, Carle Hospital; CarolDavid, Spoon River College; Julie DeLong, Prairie State College; Dr. Uday Deoskar, Successful AgingCenter; Maryanne Daman, NEIL AAA; Kay Drew, Carle Hospital; Jennifer Feaman, HeartlandCommunity College; David Fields, Illinois State Board of Education;Jamie Gahm, Illinois Valley Community College; Joyce Gallagher, City of Chicago Senior ServicesAAA; Ted Gibbs, Serve Illinois Commission; Allen Goben, Heartland Community College; DougGrier, Waubonsee Community College; Amanda Guinn, Advance Illinois; Megan Holland, CarleHospital; Karen Hall, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund; Mabel Hayes, John A. Logan College;Malia Hennessy, Rock Valley College LIR; Marilyn Hennessy, Retirement Research Foundation;William C. Hine, Eastern Illinois University; Molly Hofer, University of Illinois Extension; LindaHorrell, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund; John Hosteny, Corporation For National Service;Nancy Jameson, West Central Illinois RSVP; Charles D. Johnson, Illinois Dept. on Aging; ReneeJoiner, ChildServ; Tammie Johnson, College of Lake County; Kelly Crawford Jones, Illinois CentralCollege; Judy Jozaitis, Lincoln Land Community College; Helen Katz, Heartland CommunityCollege; Ray Keithley, OLLI at Bradley University; Ashley Kinne, Peoria & Tazwell RSVP; MindyKmetz, Successful Aging Center; Chris Koch, Illinois State Board of Education; Louis Kosiba, IllinoisMunicipal Retirement Fund; Jason Leahy, Illinois Principals Association; Tammy Lewis, RockValley College; Pat Linn, Spoon River College; Peggy Luce, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce;Barb Majernik, Rock Valley College LIR; Tabitha Major, U of I Extension; Maria Malayter, Do WhatYou Love Foundation; Ed Maloney, State Senator; Russ Marineau, HURRAH; Thoko Mavuso,Eastern Illinois University; Susie Morrison, Illinois State Board of Education; Michael ManganService Learning; P. Hammond McDavid,, Univerisity of Illinois at Springfield; Courtney McGill,Illinois State Board of Education; Robert L. Mees, John A. Logan College; Candi Miller, SpoonRiver College; Jon C. Neidy, Bradley University Cont. Education; Ryan Niehaus, HeartlandCommunity College; Gil Nolde, OLLI at Bradley University; Carin Novak, Lester School - DownersGrove Dist.58;Nnenna Obi, Eastern Illinois University ; Geoff Obrzut, Illinois Community College Board;Michael O’Donnell, East Central IL Area Agency on Aging; Del Parra, Diamond Lake School Dist76; Margaret Plaskas, Waubonsee Community College; Sally Pletz, Spoon River College; JamesK Polk, ICCTA; Anita Revelle, Illinois State University; Colleen Reynolds, Heartland CommunityCollege; Paul Rosenberger ECIAAA; Ashley Riggins, Spoon River College; Michelle Riggio,Bradley University Cont. Education; Barbara Rizzo, Oakton Community College; Laura Rovang,College of Lake County;Sandra Schramm, Horizon Hospice & Palliative Care; Julia Schroeder John A. Logan College;Barbara Schwartz, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren; Carolyn Shepherd, OLLI at BradleyUniversity; Jan Simon, Parkland College; Cassie Simons, Eastern Illinois University; Carly Smith,ChildServ; Julie Smith, Office of the Governor; Kristine Stefani, Kishwaukee College; L. ColleenSteinberg, YWCA McLean County; Ann Strow, Illinois Central College; Dr. Arthur Sutton, IllinoisBoard of Higher Education; Joyce Sutton, OLLI at Bradley University; Da’Mon Vann, A Fit SecondHalf Fitness & Wellness; Matt Vanover, Illinois State Board of Education; Nancy Wajler, HarperCollege; Dave Weiman, Culture Change Coalition of Peoria; Alma Lee Wertman, Spoon RiverCollege; B.J. Willken, McLean Wellness Coalition; Ed Wojcicki, University of Illinois at Springfield;Dustin Yocum, Eastern Illinois University;Jill Heise, ChairAndrew BarbeauVice-Chair, ChairOn February 18, 2011, Jill Heise was elected chair ofthe Serve Illinois Commission and Andrew Barbeau,Vice-chair. Heise is the executive director of SOAR(Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, agroup that works to preserve, promote and enhancethe quality of life in Streeterville, a Chicago neighborhood.Barbeau is the Managing Director of IllinoisInstitute of Technology’s Galvin Center for ElectricityInnovation, a green technology research center andeducation initiative that is pursuing groundbreakingwork in the generation, distribution and consumptionof energyThe Serve Illinois Commission is a 25-member, bipartisanboard appointed by the Governor. Its missionis to improve Illinois communities by enhancingtraditional volunteer activities and supporting nationalservice programs. The Commission is accomplishingthis mission through the support of local communitybasedefforts to enhance volunteer opportunities andthe administration of Illinois’ AmeriCorps program.The goals of the Commission include• making communities stronger through well-managedvolunteer programs,• improving the ability of community-based organizationsto maximize their volunteer resources• increasing the number of individuals volunteering intheir communities.For more information:http://www2.illinois.gov/serve32 Continuance Magazine Fall 2010/Winter 2011

AcknowledgementsRemembering Keith Sanders, Executive Director, Illinois Board of Higher Education from 1998 to 2002and an inspirational leader at Southern Illinois University for more than five decadesThree cheers for those who put in place the ideas forthis report and to those who participated in the “Yearof the Engaged Older Adult,” in the 20 local discussions,the Summit on Aging and Education, and theGathering in the Illinois Senate.A hearty thank you to 19 community college presidentsand one Regional Office of Education for giving all ofIllinois a model of leadership that is greatly needed.They and their conveners had minimal lead time to preparefor the Local Discussions and yet pulled togethermultigenerational groups who have given substantivesuggestions on how we can increase graduation ratesand promote healthy lifestyles. Thank you to the IllinoisCouncil of Community College Presidents for helpingdevelop the Local Discussions.Thank you to Governor Pat Quinn for launching theYear of the Engaged Older Adult, for his strong supportof service, and for the support of staff membersTed Gibbs, Julie Smith, and Jerry Stermer.Thank you to Senate President John Cullerton and MinorityLeader Christine Radogno for joining hands in anonpartisan effort by sponsoring the May 11 IntergenerationalGathering in the Senate and the Senate Forumon Intergenerational Leadership. After that event, it wasevident that this project had “legs.”Thank you to Senator Edward Maloney and the SenateHigher Education Committee for ensuring unanimouspassage of the Interdependence of Generations Resolutionand to Senate staff Melissa Black, Kim Schultz,Nancy Hill and Kathryn Underwood.A hearty thank you to sponsors of the Summit andLocal Discussions including the Illinois Council ofCommunity College Presidents, Illinois CommunityCollege Trustees Association, Corporation for Nationaland Community Service, Serve Illinois Commission,Illinois Campus Compact, Illinois Association of AreaAgencies on Aging, Illinois Principals Association, IllinoisAssociation of Regional Superintendents, IllinoisDepartment on Aging, Illinois State Board of Education,Illinois Community College Board, Illinois Boardof Higher Education, State Universities Annuitants As-sociation & Illinois PTA. Thank you to members of theAdvisory Team for the Illinois NGA Policy Academyon the Civic Engagement of Older Adults.Thank you to SIUC Chancellor Rita Cheng, SIU Schoolof Law Dean Cynthia L. Fountaine, and AARP StateDirector Bob Gallo for supporting this publication.Last, Marion Wright Edelman says our accomplishmentsoften come from “standing on the shoulders ofour forbears.” Thank you to those who helped buildthe foundation for the accomplishments in 2010, includingRichard D. Wagner, Keith Sanders and EmilJones Jr. On July 1, 1986, the Illinois Board of HigherEducation approved a Higher Education CooperationAct grant with the idea of fostering a statewideintergenerational movement. Dick Wagner, CEO ofIBHE from 1980 to 1998 was a long-term champion forintergenerational efforts and believed that all levels ofeducation could benefit from the involvement of olderadults. Keith Sanders, IBHE CEO from 1998 to 2002,another champion for generations, convened the firstP-20 Intergenerational Service Forum and also institutionalizedthe Intergenerational Initiative at SIUC. Anotherchampion and believer, who established the SenateForum on Intergenerational Leadership, was SenatePresident Emil Jones, Jr.. He served as Senate Presidentfrom 2003 to 2009 and during that time strengthenedthe link between history and intergenerational activity.Continuance MagazineFall 2010/Winter 2011 Vol. 25 1 & 2Knowledge and Understanding Passing fromGeneration to GenerationEDITORIAL: Jane Angelis, Ph.D., Director,Intergenerational InitiativeKatelyn Kooy, SIU Law StudentAlicia Ruiz , Director, CommunicationsADDRESS: Intergenerational InitiativeSIU School of Law, Carbondale, Il 62901618-453-8636, www.solit.siu.eduContinuance Magazine was founded in 1987 with funding from theIllinois Board of Higher Education