Vitalia Active Adult Community – Rockside to Celebrate Back-to-School Season

At Vitalia Active Adult Community – Rockside, we are always excited to celebrate the Back-to-School season! Partnering with local schools is typically a year-long effort, but there is a special focus on the time when most students are heading back to the classroom- whether in person or virtually. We have partnered with Gilles Sweet Elementary School. Our residents find it easy to relate to school outreach efforts as many of them can recall a time when they returned to school as well.

Fostering these relationships helps build a sense of community among students, teachers, residents, and staff. There are plenty of advantages to intergenerational activities- such as decreasing the social and economic isolation so many seniors feel. Research has shown that seniors’ health, memory, and balance can benefit from volunteering regularly with children. Not only do these relationships benefit the older generations, but also the younger ones as well. Studies have also shown that children who interact with elders are less likely than others to start illegal drug use, will more likely have improved communication with their parents, and are less likely to experience depression. Lastly, these experiences can create timeless memories for both the seniors and children involved, such as making a new friend, trying a new game or activity, or listening to stories of each other’s life.

Currently, we partner with Gilles Sweet Elementary School. My mother taught for many years and retired from this school. Several of her teacher friends are still teaching there. For the last few years, we have been partnering with one of the 2nd grade teachers, Amy. We have donated books during African American History Month and Chinese New Year, provided Valentine’s Day cards, held supply drives, and so much more. We plan to show our support this year with similar donations, as well as intergenerational activities.

As a child of a teacher, I see how much supplies and equipment is needed to make their students’ years successful. Sometimes that calls for teachers to use their own money to make it happen. By supporting their supply list, we would be supporting and helping the teacher and all the students in the class to have a successful year. Our school does not currently have a wish list; however, we will be collecting all school supply donations to deliver to the class.

We are also focused on making connections with middle and high school students. Many students in these grades need volunteer hours to graduate. We look forward to building these future intergenerational relationships!

Vitalia Active Adult Community – Rockside will continue to show their support in a lot of different ways this Back-to-School season and throughout the school year.