Partnering with the Friends School of Portland
by Kimberly Doyon, Life Enrichment Coordinator at The Cedars
The Life Enrichment Department at The Cedars is partnering with the Friends School of Portland to offer an exciting new, intergenerational program for the residents at the Skilled Care Center at The Cedars. On the first Wednesday of every month, 15 first and second grade students from Friends have been visiting with our nursing home residents to share the lessons they are learning in school. Examples include reading one on one, singing, drama skits and puppet shows, and games. Our goal has been to assure the same students
meet with the same residents each month so a therapeutic relationship can be
made and fostered.
These friendly visits started in January, with each student arriving with a story that they had written about their lives which they then read to a resident. Over the past few months, the children have been developing some wonderful relationships with the residents. The interactions are a joy for everyone to see, and seem to benefit both the young and young at heart, in some surprising and unexpected ways. We look forward to
seeing the children and residents alike grow and blossom through this school year
from this wonderful program!
The Friends School is located on MacWorth Island in Falmouth and offers education from pre-school through grade eight. They pride themselves on emphasizing high
standards for independent thinking and personal integrity. The school’s values focus on simplicity, peace, community, equality, stewardship and truth.