July - September 2019

Boomsquad Creating An Age-Friendly Community Boomsquad is on a mission to make Erie County an age-friendly community for older adults. Across the country, communities have adopted the “age-friendly communities” program developed by the World Health Organization and AARP. The program focuses on outdoor spaces, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and inclusion, employment, communication and information, community support and health services. Starting this fall, Boomsquad will be hosting a monthly series of community conversations on these topics with local leaders. Join us to share your thoughts about our community strengths and ways to improve the quality of life in Erie County. To register, please call Kim Corso at Perkins High School, 419-625-1252. Boomsquad is an intergenerational, shared learning experience, putting younger and older adults together to share each other’s expertise. When Elaine Waterfield needed help learning Microsoft Excel, she met with Paige Skaff, Perkins High School senior, for a Boomsquad Paige Skaff and Elaine Waterfield Perkins and Sandusky High sociology students each had four days interaction with guests ages 60+ on various topics. Through this practical experience the students learned the newer, truer meaning of being “older.” Sociology Students Study Older Americans session. Paige volunteers because she believes that young people can help older people adapt to a world that is changing all the time. She states, “Getting to know someone is a personal experience. Understanding different generations is so important.” Elaine reports, “How wonderful the younger generation is--so alert, competent, and willing to make the world a better place.” For more information on Boomsquad programs, contact Larry Pitts at 419-656-5159. Living Through The Civil Rights Movement Intergenerational Games Find us on www.servingourseniors.org 25