The Heyman Interages^® Center is a program

of JCA^® - Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington.

See volunteer opportunities anytime through our

Volunteer Portal

Please note: all opportunities require

preregistration and background check.

Join Us for the JCA Interages

Volunteer Meet and Greet

this September!

Are you a current volunteer or considering joining our corps? We invite you to our Volunteer Meet and Greet on September 18 (note date change), from 1 PM to 3 PM, at the Jewish Council for the Aging headquarters, located at 12320 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 20852.

This is a wonderful opportunity to:

• Connect with fellow volunteers and share your experiences
• Meet our dedicated staff and learn about new volunteer opportunities

1 pm to 2 pm Introductions and Q and A.

2 pm to 3 pm Socializing.

Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or just starting to explore ways to give back, we welcome you to join us. Light refreshments will be served. Bring a friend and make a difference together!

Please RSVP to Indira Dingledine at idingledine@accessjca.org.

We look forward to seeing you there!

"In what kind of programs do JCA Interages volunteers participate", you ask? This newsletter edition provides a broad overview of JCA Interages programming.

LITERACY

Reader’s Theater 

Reader’s Theater is a program in which the readers gather in small groups to present dramatic readings of narrative material without costumes, props, scenery, or special lighting. Readers use only vocal expressions to help convey stories. Equipped with Reader’s Theater materials, JCA adult volunteers meet for 45 minutes once a week during the school day or after school hours with 2nd to 5th grade students, divided by grade. This program can be in person or virtual. The goals are to enhance students’ reading skills and confidence by having them practice reading with a purpose, to establish strong intergenerational relationships and communication, and to provide opportunities for reading aloud with expression and fluency. Readers "perform" by reading scripts created from grade-level books or stories. 

Grandreaders (2nd Grade Students) 

The Grandreaders program is a one-on-one reading program for 2nd grade students. It could be virtually or in-person at school during school hours. Each session lasts 45 minutes where a senior adult reads once a week with one assigned child. Students are selected by their teachers from among the ones who need one-on-one reading time and connection. The first book everyone reads is “As Best Friends Do.” This is a book written by two JCA Interages volunteers. Volunteers tailor the books for the students to read according to the child’s interests and abilities. JCA staff work closely with the school liaison. 

IN-CLASSROOM SUPPORT

In-Class Support 



In-class support provides opportunities for volunteers to work in the classroom one-on-one or in small groups with students who may need additional attention and assistance in areas such as language arts, math, science, and social studies. Volunteers work to increase students’ skills in class subjects and to develop meaningful intergenerational connections. We understand that Montgomery County Public Schools is particularly aiming to support Emerging Multilingual Learner (EML) students in English Language Development (ELD) and math classes. Interages volunteers are open to work with any teacher who knows how to utilize them in the classroom – no matter the level of English fluency their students may have. Interages has some Spanish-speaking volunteers and is recruiting more for the 2024-2025 school year.

AFTERSCHOOL ENRICHMENT

JCA Interages volunteers are actively involved in afterschool enrichment programs like the Bridges program at Daly Elementary School. In this program, our volunteers assist children in improving their English skills through engaging activities. English is a second language for these students, who come from diverse backgrounds including Central America, Africa, and South America. Volunteers do not need to know a second language. The students are working on their English skills.

DIALOGUES

Dialogues Across the Ages (Middle and High School) 

Volunteers and students engage in cross-age discussions of current events and social studies topics. The generations learn about each other’s interests, lifestyles, and views during these multi-week (typically eight) sessions, which are designed to foster mutual understanding and respect while developing student leadership skills. Some other components: 

Programming adjusts according to the class/teacher we are working within each school. typically, in a student leadership or related course during school hours. Students build leadership skills at each session by serving as the facilitator at their table of students and older adults. Facilitation and Aging Awareness training can be provided beforehand to the students. 

One on One TUTORING

Our dedicated volunteers offer personalized, one-on-one tutoring to children who have been identified as needing extra help in Language Arts and Math. Whether the students require assistance with reading comprehension, writing skills, or mathematical concepts, our volunteers are committed to providing the support needed to help them succeed. Tutoring sessions are tailored to each child's specific needs and are available in both virtual and in-person formats, allowing for flexibility and accessibility. This approach ensures that every child receives the focused attention and guidance they need to build confidence and improve their academic performance.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING

JCA Interages collaborates with a range of organizations and educational institutions, always starting with the question, "What do you need?" We then design and implement programs tailored to meet those needs. This approach allows our volunteers to engage in meaningful and enriching roles, particularly in our intergenerational programs that connect them with children.

One example is the Teens Teaching Tech program, a collaboration between JCA Interages, The African American Health Program, and Local Community Groups, in which teens answer seniors' questions about their computers and phones.

Intergenerational programs that

provide Service Learning Hours to Youth



We offer intergenerational volunteer opportunities for youth aged 18 and under to earn Service Learning Hours (SSL), which are required for high school graduation. Here are some of the many SSL opportunities we provide:

Kensington Club Music and Art Therapy Program

Students will gain insight into early-stage memory loss and learn how music and art therapy can significantly benefit older adults. These therapies help stimulate memories, improve focus, and bring joy to participants. The program has shown how impactful intergenerational interactions can be for everyone involved, including the Music and Art Therapists and JCA staff.

Book Club

Our intergenerational book clubs are a collaborative effort between JCA Interages and Montgomery County Public Library (MCPL). The program aims to:

• Promote a love of literature in a supportive, nurturing environment.
• Build a community that engages in meaningful discussions on important topics.
• Foster strong intergenerational relationships and communication.
• Offer opportunities for creativity, reflection, and information synthesis.

Students Help and Reach Elders (SHARE)

SHARE brings together older adult living communities and day programs with youth for programs and fun activities including: conversation, arts and crafts, STEM activities, music and interactive games. Older adults and youth making meaningful connections, learn from one another, and have fun!

UPDATE! Libraries Launch ‘Read Across Generations’ to Boost Summer Reading Skills.

We are thrilled to report that during the JCA Interages/MCPL Read Across the Generations program, our 20 volunteers read with 194 children this summer. Stay tuned next summer for this wonderful annual volunteer opportunity.

Several Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) have revived the "Read Across Generations" program to enrich younger students' reading experiences. Tailored for children from kindergarten to third grade, this initiative pairs each child with a volunteer for engaging one-on-one reading sessions. "Read Across Generations" is a vibrant partnership between MCPL, the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA)'s Heyman Interages program.

MONTHLY READING TUTOR

TRAINING SERIES

We hope you will join us on Zoom for our monthly Reading Tutor Training series. These sessions are helpful for any volunteers. We are so grateful to presenter Megan Bainbridge, Reading Specialist of the Captain James E. Daly Elementary School, who is leading the sessions. Each session focuses on a different Reading Tutor Training topic, and lasts about an hour. Pre-registration online is required. 

Please note: these sessions provide broad tips and are not intended to be certification level training.

September 25 at 2:00 via Zoom - The Science of Reading (Early Grades)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclf--tqz8iHNWSzDPaBSS__CwTt84H0wkP 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

RECORDED SESSIONS

To view past recordings of the Reading Tutor Training sessions, visit our Volunteer Portal.

Make a gift to support the good work that we do.

You can designate your gift to intergenerational programs on the donation form.

" I believe when you put a smile out there, you get a smile back."

Heidi Klum

For your convenience, past issues of the JCA Interages Connector are available on the JCA Interages website. Or hold your phone camera over this QR code or take a screenshot of the QR code and it will take you to our website.

Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington

"Jewish Council for the Aging," "JCA," "Helping All Seniors Thrive" and "Interages" are registered trademarks of the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington, Inc. Visit us at AccessJCA.org.© 2024 Jewish Council for the Aging® All rights reserved.