Seniors, Teens to Benefit from New Carpinteria Program
Coastal View
March 19, 1998
Nursing home residents to be paired with local youth
Residents of the Carpinteria Valley may have seen 75-year-old Peter Chang jogging around the neighborhood six years ago. He often jogged to his daughter’s house, where he enjoyed doing household and yard chores. And six years ago, shortly after one of his daily visits, Peter Chang had a stroke.
Chang never full recovered, although, according to his doctor, his stroke was mild. A few months ago, Chang was admitted to a skilled nursing home in southern California after being hospitalized with pneumonia.
Daughter Mary Chang, a 12-year Carpinteria resident, also known as Mary Candy, noticed during her frequent visits with her father that the longer a resident stayed at a nursing home, the less his or her family and friends came to visit. She realized the same thing could happen to her father.
Mary Chang was inspired to create “Intergenerational Connection” as a result of this realization. The community service program, which was generated by her participation in Landmark Education, aims to bring local youth and the elderly together. Chang hopes that this program will act as a pilot, serving as the foundation for a long-term community-sponsored project.
Intergenerational Connection has been submitted to Carpinteria High School as an opportunity for teens to earn their community service credits, which are required for graduation. Under the program’s guidelines, teens will adopt an elderly person who resides in a nursing home, and schedule regular visits with the residents. In addition, the teen will research the senior’s life during the course of their visits and then create a project which creatively expresses the senior’s life – for example, a written biography, room decoration, or other artistic conception.
Volunteers are encouraged to participate in this new community program. Call Mary Chang for information at 684-6367. Organizers, supply donors, drivers and other services are needed, and all contributions of time or materials are appreciated. Chang pointed out that Intergenerational Connection is not limited to teenagers – all youth groups and adult organizations are welcome.
Reprinted from the Coastal View, March 19, 1998, Carpinteria, California.