Generations

CONTACT:

25 Kingston Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
617.423.5865
www.generationsinc.org

Mary Gunn, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Generations Inc. (GI) applies the advantage of our aging population to otherwise disadvantaged children. It began here in 1991 as an offshoot of a nationwide program called MAGIC ME, originated in Baltimore. From 1991-1997 it was a "Generation Club" in which middle-school children visited seniors once a week in elder facilities. In 1994 it was incorporated, and was one of 47 nationwide programs chosen to host the first volunteers for the AmeriCorps national service program. In 1998, Generations partnered with a national organization called Experience Corps, and with its support, began recruiting retirees as mentors and tutors for public school children; by 2002, 40 seniors were reaching 500 kids. Generations has grown exponentially over the years; it now offers tutoring and mentoring programs to Boston’s most underserved areas, including Roxbury, Dorchester and South Boston. In the 2004-05 school year, its 300-plus volunteers provided services to nearly 2,300 children. That's progress, and you can help it grow even further.

(1999: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)