BY ANNA GUIDO
Enquirer Contributor
MIDDLETOWN -- Elderly people have wisdom and can teach young people.
This school year, members of the Middletown Area Senior Citizens Center will have the chance to do just that, thanks to a $66,205 grant from the Ohio Department of Aging.
The grant was awarded recently to the senior center and Middletown - Monroe schools through a state initiative aimed at getting the two generations more involved in each others' lives.
"You have a ton of wisdom and knowledge, and we need to share this with our children," schools Superintendent Wayne Driscoll told seniors Tuesday at a "Seniors and Youth Initiative" celebration. "Please, come into our buildings and share what you have.
"We welcome you anytime."
The intergenerational initiative is to be part of a state program called Seniors Teaching and Reaching Students (STARS), which was proposed last year by Gov. George Voinovich.
It involves senior adults as volunteer tutors and mentors of children in selected elementary schools.
Hope Taft, guest speaker at Tuesday's celebration, said research shows in-depth adult conversation is something children need to enhance their development.
However, research shows not enough kids are getting it.
Mrs. Taft is co-founder of several substance abuse prevention organizations in Ohio.
She is the wife of Ohio Secretary of State Bob Taft, who is running for governor in November.
She commended the senior center and school district for trying to make a difference in their community by bringing the two generations together.
"When kids feel like they're valued, they're much less likely to get involved in any kind of negative activity," Mrs. Taft said. Alesia Barnhizer, executive director of the senior center, said STARS is one of many ways the center hopes to bridge the generation gap this year through the center's Seniors Sharing Smiles campaign. To participate in the program, seniors must be 55 or older, mentally fit and must pass a criminal background check.
Nine other schools and senior centers in Ohio are participating in STARS, including Chase Elementary School in Northside and Cincinnati Area Senior Services.
Each program is tailored to meet the individual needs of the community and offers various incentives to senior participants: tax-free stipend of $2.50 per hour for a maximum 15 hours a week, up to $40 for a physical exam, tuition credits for seniors or grandchildren, insurance to cover seniors while they volunteer, a meal on volunteer days and travel reimbursement.
Information: Call the STARS office at the Ohio Department of Aging in Columbus, (614) 466-4966.
