P-16+ Service Learning

P-16+ Service Learning Series

Intergenerational Service Learning
Sponsored by: Deputy Governor for Education and Workforce; Illinois Board of Higher Education; Illinois Community College Board; and Illinois State Board of Education
In cooperating with: Intergenerational Initiative, SIU Carbondale; John Wood Community College, Quincy; National Service Learning Exchange; Illinois Campus Compact, Illinois State University; Learn and Serve, Illinois State Board of Education; Illinois Corporation for National Service; Illinois Department on Aging; Illinois Coalition for Community Service; Pekin Intergenerational Network Chicago Metropolitan Intergenerational Committee

Goals
Discussion Topics/Questions/
Recommendations
Comments from Participants
Agenda

The second in the service-learning series was held on February 27, 2002 at State Farm Insurance in Bloomington. Students, older adults, service providers, and educators put their heads together to discuss service learning as a lifetime activity.

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Goals:

1. To improve education, to take steps, however small, to erase the achievement gap, reduce poor performance by a variety of students, and to address the isolation and alienation that many students experience
2. To link the various forms of service, i.e. community service, volunteerism, internships, experiential learning, and service learning to build a more cohesive system

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Discussion Topics/Questions:

1. What is my place in society and my contribution to others?
2. What are examples of service-learning projects that serve older and younger people?
3. How can each participant help develop service-learning projects in your community.

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Recommendations:

• Involving the Chamber of Commerce, churches, and businesses
• Forming coalitions and networks to discuss needs
• Involving college students with elementary and secondary students
• Suggesting service learning to clubs and organizations
• Reconnecting generations to get involved in sustainable projects based on needs and assets

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Comments from Participants

Tim Krieger, State Director
Corporation for National Service, Chicago

" The service in learning is an enabling tool that allows educators to bring their classroom teaching alive. They are teaching with experiential methods, the most basic tenet of democracy, civic engagement through community service."

Ryan Keller, Quincy Junior High School

" From ages 0-18 you're a pain to society or a menace, 18-65 you are a valuable asset to our society, and 65 until death you are an obligation to society. That's how it is. "

Jan Matuska, R.N., M.S. Health Occupations teacher and
Tracy Avery, Jaime Harr, Barb Lorentz, Kelly Thomas, students, Pekin Community High School

We learned about several new service-learning activities and volunteer projects. One of the activities that we liked was park clean up. It seems that Quincy is doing some good activities in their community. We liked the small group sessions. It was more practical than the large group setting which was focused on definitions and theories. We were more comfortable sharing ideas in the small group setting.)

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Agenda:

1:00 p.m.	Welcome: Kathy Havens, Public Affairs Manager, State Farm Insurance
1:05 p.m.	What is Intergenerational Service Learning?
	Carla Gosney, RSVP, John Wood Community College
1:20 p.m.	"What is quality service learning? P-16+ Service Learning?"
	Kathy Engelken, Illinois State University
	Community-based Organizations and Service Learning
	Joe Dunn, Illinois Coalition for Community Services
	Service Learning Experiences: Pekin High School Health Occupations Class
2:05 p.m.	Charge for small groups
	Jane Angelis, Director, Intergenerational Initiative, Editor, Continuance Magazine
2:10 p.m.	Break into small groups
3:30 p.m.	Report to main group on recommendations
3:45 p.m.	Next Steps
4:00 p.m.	Adjourn

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