SPONSORED
“It was far more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.”
What brings volunteers 65+ to DOROT’s Summer Teen Internship Program? Ask Judy, a retired teacher who spent her career in the NY school system. Though she has five grandchildren, she misses regular contact with teens. Or ask Marvin, a Holocaust survivor who wants to stay connected to the younger generation. There’s also Suzanne, a retired interior designer, who, after six rewarding years volunteering with older adults through DOROT, decided to try something new during the pandemic and volunteer with teens.
What do Judy, Marvin and Suzanne have to look forward to this summer? Volunteers will join their peers and a cohort of exceptional teens for professionally facilitated Zoom and phone programs, like conversation groups, legacy art projects, virtual chess, music appreciation and more.
Though the program is virtual, it is nonetheless as impactful. Last summer’s volunteers shared their impressions:
“This experience was so important to me. The four weeks I spent with the DOROT teens was the best part of my summer. I loved the small Zoom breakout rooms where I was able to talk freely and hear from the teens their thoughts in an honest manner. I loved hearing their perspectives on life through sharing their ideas, their poetry, and their art. I felt there was no age gap.”
What about the teens?
“It gave me so much to look forward to every day and put the meaning that had been lacking back into my life.”
Simply by spending time together participants are granted the rare opportunity to make meaningful connections and share their lives in an age friendly, truly intergenerational community
For more information and to register, please contact Jamie Phillips, Volunteer Coordinator: sharemywisdom@dorot.org
