- Rilla Tyra, 82, is
running late, although you can't tell by looking at her. Her
face, devoid of makeup save for a touch of pink lipstick,
fairly glows, and her snow white hair is combed neatly back.
You'd never guess that just moments before
she was calmly enjoying a late breakfast in her apartment.
Then came the phone call, "Hurry, the kids are here!"
The "kids," some 90 fifth-graders from Dartmouth Elementary
School in Aurora, are already milling about Shalom Park's
spacious community room by the time Rilla arrives, and they're
eager to share the hand-made cards they've brought. On this,
their fourth of eight regularly scheduled visits, the students
are like old pros at this game, kneeling down to chat with
their friends and shyly offering to fetch Kool-aid and
cookies.
For their part, the older folks are busy admiring the
students' handiwork. Rose Zeiff, 85, a vivacious and popular
resident of two years, greets her partners enthusiastically
with a hug and smile for each. She receives her personalized
cards with obvious enjoyment, fussing over each one and
exclaiming about "her" kids.
The Dartmouth students are regular visitors here at Shalom
Park, a not-forprofit Jewish corporation dedicated to
providing "continuum of care," as Brenda Scott, volunteer
event coordinator, puts it.
Facilities include the Beth Israel Nursing Home and the
Senior Residences: spacious patio homes and apartments.
Designed to reflect the changing needs of today's older
adults, Shalom Park offers its residents varied options in
medical care, dietary services and domestic transportation
through the aging process.
Among these options is a steady stream of intergenerational
activities. In addition to the Dartmouth group, Shalom Park
also plays host to two high schools, Regis Jesuit in Denver
and Rangeview in Aurora, as well as numerous Brownie Troops,
synagogues and churches.
Today, however, it's Dartmouth's turn. Each participating
resident has been assigned several student "partners," and the
children have already learned, in private visits to the
residents' apartments, about their partner's history and
family. Now it's time to mingle and sing songs, and the
delight on both the youngsters' and the residents' faces is
evident.
Driving Force
Bobbi Wong and Bob HamiltonPennell -
affectionately dubbed "Mr. H.P." by his students - are the driving force behind the program.
With a combined 43 years teaching at Dartmouth, they were
looking for a way "to provide intergenerational experiences
and give history of the 20th century a real context," says
Hamilton-Pennell, 47. Feeling that these things were missing
from many of the students' lives, he and Wong contacted Shalom
Park in the summer of 1996. Since then, they have developed a
close relationship with the facility and with Scott, who
handles all the entertainment and activities for Shalom Park.
By most accounts, the ongoing relationship between
Dartmouth and Shalom Park is a success.
Hamilton-Pennell says that the residents "often take this
as an opportunity to pass along some wisdom "to the younger
generation," and they've often proudly shown him photos of
themselves and their kids from years past. And Scott has found
that "even though sometimes the residents don't remember their
kids, they always love it when the kids are here."
The residents concur. "The kids are wonderful," says Joe
Dworkin, 82, "and so talented."
He is effusive in his praise of the lengthy, typewritten
history his partner, Jarrett Miller, wrote about Joe's life.
Jarrett basks in the attention. Esther, 85, doesn't have
any partners today but happily watches the goings on. "I just
love it when they come to visit!" she exclaims. Many
residents, says Hamilton-Pennell, "tell me - with tears in
their eyes - how much they appreciate the students."
Of course, it's not only the residents who benefit. While
talking with their partners, the children learn not only about
the Great Depression and Hitler, but also about getting along
with others.
Kids Rise To Occasion
Hamilton-Pennell says that he and Wong are "always amazed by those few kids every year who
struggle so much in school ... (but) really rise to the
occasion" at Shalom Park. His sentiments are borne out by the
polite behavior of one student; often boisterous and sometimes
considered a troublemaker, he is positively beaming in his
partner's profuse praise of his card. One of
Hamilton-Pennell's many joys is watching tough-talking
students "get down on their knees next to a wheelchair and
show a tenderness toward the residents that I don't get to see
in the classroom."
The kids, as varied a group as the residents, also believe
that their visits to Shalom Park are well worth it. For some
it's a learning experience. Kyra Sandstrom, 10, feels lucky to
have Rilla as her partner and likes the chance to "learn
history, but not like you'd learn in school."
She says it's "easier to learn this way; it's what really
happened, not what the books say."
Rebecca Jones, also 10, likes the social aspects. Generally
shy around adults, she says the visits have helped her be more
open with people. She also feels good about the fact that she
is able to "get to know people that I wouldn't normally meet."
That's a sentiment echoed by many of the students. Jenny
Black, another 10-year-old whose partner is 81 and a survivor
of the Holocaust, doesn't like the fact that "once (the
residents) are in a nursing home some of their family forget
them."
She feels better knowing she's doing her part and knowing
that the residents "have visitors and don't have to be alone."
For now, at least, they're not alone. All too soon,
however, it's time to go. "You're leaving already?" asks
Rilla, obviously disappointed that she didn't get to spend
more time with the students. But, buoyed by the thought of
next month's visit, she gives a farewell smile and a hug to
each of "her" kids before heading back to her apartment to
finish breakfast.
