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Interages' Winter Newsletter |
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Montgomery County Intergenerational
Resource Center Meetings
Interages serves as the Intergenerational Resource Center for Montgomery County, and in that role we host regular meetings focused on current topics in intergenerational programming. Attendees draw from a cross-section of service providers representing the many populations that can be touched by such programs – schools; youth and community groups; Montgomery County Departments of Recreation, Aging, and Health and Human Services; adult residential and nursing facilities; and adult service providers including home care providers, grocery delivery programs, and arts groups.
At each meeting we invite one or more experts to provide an overview of a particular topic, and then open the floor to wide-ranging discussion and sharing across disciplines. These lively conversations offer something for everyone.
At this year’s October meeting, speakers included Barbara Duncan from Brighton Gardens at Friendship Heights, Nancy Piness from Riderwood Village, and Susan Zanner from Collingwood Nursing Home. All three women highlighted the benefits of intergenerational programs for the senior residents their organizations serve. Following their presentations, the group’s discussion quickly identified two common barriers we face in our attempts to broaden the scope of intergenerational programs around the county: 1) a lack of available, affordable transportation options; and 2) the frequent turnover of school personnel and PTA contacts, making it difficult to maintain working relationships with schools.
In response to this conversation, Interages scheduled speakers for the next two committee meetings to specifically address these concerns. In January, Jane DeWinter, President of the Montgomery County Council of PTAs shared her thoughts on establishing and maintaining working relationships with schools and PTAs to allow for more, and more stable, after-school programming. Among her many ideas, Jane explained that most PTAs publish a newsletter or send information home with students. Program information can be included in these publications by contacting the PTA President of the school(s) and/or establishing contact with the editor. School and PTA information can be found on the school’s website by going to the “home page” of the Montgomery County Schools’ website(montgomeryschoolsmd.org). Not all websites are up-to-date in regards to PTA information, but administrative staff information is available, including phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
On April 25th, Mr. Gabe Albornoz, Director of the Montgomery County Department of Recreation will address our group. Gabe understands our need for additional transportation – for senior citizens and for students – and plans to facilitate a brain-storming discussion on ideas for improving services and addressing gaps in current services.
Interages invites you to join our breakfast meetings. They are a great way to learn from colleagues, to seek feedback for a new idea, and to make fresh connections with people who share your passion for intergenerational programs. Contact Ann Kennedy at 301-949-3551 or annkenn@verizon.net to receive notification of upcoming meetings, to suggest a topic, or to offer yourself as a presenter. |
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From the desk of the Executive Director
Hello Friends,
Interages recently received an award of Excellence in Older Volunteer Program Management from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), and the MetLife Foundation. We were one of three non-profits selected nationally for outstanding volunteer programs whose practices in recruitment, training, retention and recognition of older volunteers set a standard for others. Interages will be profiled in a “Promising Practices” publication to be shared with other volunteer programs nationwide.
Interages has added four new members to our Board of Directors. Welcome to Sylvia Frank, Ana Downs, Howard Kessler and Odessa Shannon. We also welcome Robert Fishman to the Interages Advisory Board. We are fortunate to have five dynamic people to contribute their knowledge and expertise.
Our Board of Directors and staff have been very busy preparing for Interages’ Second Annual Night at the Movies at the AFI Silver Theater on April 5th. We are delighted to have Catherine Leggett as our Honorary Chairperson. We hope you will all be able to attend and watch a great intergenerational movie, “Akeelah and the Bee,” share delicious food with friends and colleagues, and participate in a sensational silent auction! We have many silent auction items coming in from across the Greater DC area including: tickets to sporting events and concerts, hotel stays, time-shares, jewelry, paintings and more. Our AFI event could not be possible without the generous support of Danya International, Inc. and Freddie Mac. Thank you both so much!
We are delighted that Kyle Osborne, Emmy award winner with NewsChannel 8 and host of Entertainment Forecast, has graciously volunteered to be our emcee. (Arch Campbell is no longer able to host this year’s event). You can view Kyle’s entertainment program Thursday evenings on Channel 8, at 8:30 PM.
Congratulations go to Austin Heyman, Interages Founder, and our newest board member Odessa Shannon. Austin and Odessa were recently inducted into the Montgomery County Human Rights Hall of Fame. This award recognizes their visionary leadership and accomplishments in helping to eradicate discrimination and to advance human rights. We are very proud of their accomplishments!
Interages staff and volunteers are having a very successful year. Intergenerational Bridges’ Arcola Towers/ Northwood High School program designed by Mary Ann Larkin is receiving recognition as a model service-learning program for recent immigrant high school students. In Global Wizards, Louisa Magzanian has been working with Sara Lovinger, our new Global Wizards Program Assistant, to support the program’s expansion and to cover our new sites. Program Coordinator for SHARE and Makeover Madness, Jeanne Reilly informed us that Makeover Madness was featured in a recent Gazette article. Grandreaders Program Coordinator Pat Braxton was featured on Riderwood Cable TV along with our Program Director, Sara Cartmill. Sara has also been busy working with Bethesda Chevy Chase High School and Churchill High School supporting new mentoring programs. Ann Kennedy, our Program Coordinator for The Montgomery County Intergenerational Resource Center has had great attendance and lively discussions at every meeting. Our Office Manager, Kristal Kindrick, is a wonderful support to staff, volunteers and board members. She is busy working on updating our website that will go live very soon. We have two volunteers in the office that have provided tremendous support to everyone at Interages. Thank you to Mary Jane Kane and Jane Barrett. We are truly blessed with an excellent, hard working staff!
Thank you to all our contributors and supporters -- the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County Public Schools, foundations, corporate sponsors, individual contributors and of course our volunteers! Interages is able to provide successful programs because of your continued support and help. Thank You!
Happy Spring and Warmest Regards,
Carol Croll
Executive Director |
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