Elon Volunteers! begins new partnership with local retirement community to facilitate bonds across generations.
Elon Volunteers!’s launched its newest service program on Sept. 21 at local retirement community, Twin Lakes. Eight Elon students were matched with senior residents to meet once a month during the fall semester, with the purpose of holding conversations and facilitating bonds between two different generations.
The student coordinators of Linking Generations, Natalissa Harrison ‘28 and Ella Russo ‘28, were excited to get involved with the new program.
“Starting something that then we get to build on is really special,” said Russo. “I’m looking forward to seeing how this program flourishes as a whole. Not just my time here, but after my time, and seeing how it will grow or how it will change to adapt however it needs to.”
Before COVID, Elon Volunteers! had a similar program, but it was dissolved during the pandemic. Andrew Moffa, assistant director of Elon’s Kernodle Center for Civic Life, decided it was a good time to revisit the program.
“We found that there are students who really enjoy doing that type of work,” said Moffa. “We’ll see how this semester goes. I would love for it to expand to more visits, and also just incorporate more students.”
Elon Volunteers! has another program working with Twin Lakes called Music for Dementia, facilitating individualized and personal music activities for residents to help to cope with dementia. The close and continuous partnership with Twin Lakes through Elon Volunteers! emphasizes the value of community bonds and the genuine relationships that come from service towards one’s community.
“The seniors just get so excited to interact with Elon in any way,” said Moffa about Linking Generations. “A new perspective, the ability to talk to someone who has different life experiences, maybe holds different identities from a different generation. That’s always valuable.”
While Linking Generations is still in its first semester with a limited number of students meeting with their residents once a month, there is hope for the program to expand in future years, strengthening bonds with more student participants and conversations to connect people from all walks of life.
“This program bridges that generational gap, and you can kind of understand each other, which I think we need more of in the world,” Harrison said.