Cohousing-L Mailing List: Communities with cross-generational programs?

[Sally Wright (shwright]

Attention: Existing Communities with Cross-Generational Activities

 

Do you have a system that pairs parents and retirees* so that each could be
of use to the other group?  I know, I know, this happens informally!  But in
our community, we'd like to do more, to make better use of those who have
discretionary time and who genuinely want to be involved with a family - or
a particular child.  We've also heard that some would rather offer services
across the board to all families, but in just one area, for example, math
homework.

 

Our situation

We have a large number of retired folks, as well as parents with children.
Those with children would appreciate more involvement by those who have
extra time.  And those who have extra time would like to find some way to be
more involved with families.  But there is a hesitancy to reach out, or a
concern that reaching out to one family would ignore the needs of others.
Both groups have expressed interest in a somewhat more formal way of
matching the parents' needs with the retirees' time.

 

Request

What have you tried?  What's worked?  What fizzled?

Perhaps other communities would be interested in hearing what you've done -
if so, post on the list-serv.  If there's some need for privacy, please
email me and we can talk.

 

*or non-retirees who would like to be more involved in children's lives

 

Sally Wright

Pleasant Hill Cohousing

Pleasant Hill, CA

shwright [at] sbcglobal.net