Connecting Generations

DARTS believes that our highly valued services for seniors should integrate, rather than segregate, all generations. In 1997 our mission statement was revised to include "services that support the full participation of seniors and all generations in community life." This expansion led to more community collaborations, and DARTS established an Intergenerational department with Learning Buddies, Pen Pals, and Court-Referred Youth programs.

Learning Buddies matches senior volunteers and others with Dakota County elementary school children to improve reading, math, and science skills. From a beginning of one school and 20 volunteers in 1997, the program has expanded to more than 25 schools in 2005 and some 200 volunteers touching the lives of 3,000 children. A "best practices" video is available for schools interested in participating in this program. For more information, call 651.455.1560 or send us an e-mail.

Seniors and others are Pen Pals with local 2nd grade students, helping them with reading and writing skills and developing friendships.

The Court-Referred Youth program also started in 1997 in collaboration with Dakota County Corrections.

Youth sentenced to an average of 15 to 30 hours of community service are connected with seniors who need help with outdoor chores and would like to befriend a youth. Youth have helped seniors with mowing, raking, shoveling, and other tasks. And, many youth have expressed interest in continuing to volunteer after their community service obligation.

Dakota County Corrections screens and refers youth to DARTS and collaborates in program planning and tracking of program objectives.

For more information about our intergenerational programs, call 651/455-1560 or send us an e-mail. Learn more about volunteer opportunities at DARTS and help make a difference in your community.