STUDENTS ADOPT A GRANDPARENTConventional wisdom says that if you only talk to people like you, you’ll never learn anything new. Though broad in spectrum, this statement certainly holds true when talking about intergenerational friendships, which have proven mutually beneficial for the young and old alike.

The long-established relationship between Heritage Hall and its neighboring retirement community, The Fountains at Canterbury, has provided opportunities for Chargers of all ages to interact with Canterbury residents through volunteerism or musical performances. Although positive, these brief encounters don’t often allow for students and residents to cultivate deeper friendships. The Upper School Adopt-A-Grandparent program – founded in 2016 by Marco Ren ’19 and Alina Wilson ’19 – opened that door.

“Many Canterbury residents have families who live out of state, or have no family at all. They often begin to feel lonely and isolated. We wanted to do something to change that,” explains Ren. “The program pairs an independent living resident with one or two students who get together several times a month. Canterbury 'grandparents' are often seen at school events, at family dinners, or on other outings. Program participants come together regularly as a group for parties, game nights, and other special occasions,” he concluded.

Working with Becky Strong, Community Life Director at The Fountains at Canterbury, Ren and Wilson have successfully matched 30 students with 23 grandparents. Strong couldn’t be happier about the program’s success.

“I’ve been here almost 21 years and am always appreciative when Heritage Hall students volunteer or perform. However, I’d always felt a strong need for something deeper in the independent living center that would allow students and residents to really connect. Thanks to Alina and Marco, that has happened. It’s rewarding to see the residents’ eyes light up and the joy on their faces when the kids come. It’s fun to hear them exchange stories and learn from each other. I just can’t say enough good things about it,” Strong exclaimed.

Strong’s enthusiasm is contagious. “When the president of Watermark Retirement Communities (which owns Canterbury), David Barnes, heard about the program, he loved the idea and wanted to see it rolled out in the company’s other 50-plus communities,” Strong

stated. Additionally, Wilson and Ren have reached out to several local schools about starting programs in their areas, and they are working to create an offshoot program that would have students regularly visiting the facility’s assisted living residents.

“I don’t think you can be a part of this program and not be moved or changed by it," Wilson observed. "Although my role is more about managing the planning, organization, and communication components of the program, I’ve been around the 'grandparents' enough to see a change in myself,” remarked Wilson. “I find myself asking more questions of my own grandparents about their pasts, their dreams, their ideals. I’ve discovered that this older generation has much to teach us, and we would be wise to learn from them. I hope that sharing the blueprints of our program with Watermark and other schools provides opportunities for more people my age to have this meaningful experience.”

For Ren and Wilson, the program has become so much a part of who they are that they have both expressed a desire to start a program at their respective colleges. Until then, the pair will work to ensure the continuity of the program at Heritage Hall once they graduate. Truly, these two Chargers are leaving an indelible mark on both Heritage Hall and The Fountains at Canterbury.

“When joining the Adopt-A-Grandparent program, I didn’t know what to expect or how the grandparents would act around us. My friend Lilly Roberson ’21 and I were paired with Jerry, who has turned out to be the funniest and sweetest grandma ever! Aside from us spending time together at various group functions, she has taken time to get to know both of us individually. Jerry even came to support me in the winter musical, Hairspray. It meant a lot when she expressed how great she thought I did and how much she loved the play. I look forward to being a part of the program during my remaining years at Heritage Hall.” – Tia Brown ’21

“My adopted grandmother, Sharon McIntosh, knows I’m really into music, so she set me up with a gig at Canterbury – I even got paid! Even though she’s not a musician herself, she always seems excited to hear about my songwriting progress; that really means a lot to me. She’s definitely my biggest fan,” – Jacob Livesay ’19

"It's a wonderful program … one of the best experiences of my life. Being with the younger generation has been such an inspiration to me. I love the friendship of the girls and the relationship I have developed with their families. I hosted several of our parties, and it was so much fun working in the kitchen and in my apartment with all the kids. My senior granddaughter, Claire, and I hope to stay in touch forever. She will be going to OU, and her mother has already planned to pick me up and drive me to see Claire and have lunch or dinner and go to games. Now that many of my current grandkids graduated, I look forward to building new relationships with my future grandkids from Heritage Hall." – Anne Glasgow, grandparent

“I’ve been telling my friends about this program, and about how this girl from Heritage Hall visits me every week and makes me smile.” – Mildred Price, grandparent

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Adopt-A-Grandparent Program | Laughter abounds when senior Claire Corley and her adopted grandmother, Anne Glasgow, are together.

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