Sundance Sparks Intergenerational Programs

09/28/2004

Manchester, NH––For the past 5 years students from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and Memorial High School, a local public school, have been teaching computer skills to the senior citizens at Sundance Village Neighborhood Networks Center. This intergenerational program––one of many partnerships that center director Loraine Cataņo has developed––are benefiting both the residents and the center’s local partners. “Our partnership with the university began when a resident’s son, a UNH professor, volunteered to teach computer skills to residents,” Cataņo said. “Then a high school student, whose grandmother lives here, also volunteered in the computer lab. Today 5 university students and 2 public school students come here regularly to work with senior citizens on their computer skills.” Thanks to these volunteers, 25 out of 43 residents, who had never before used computers, are sending e-mails or using the Internet. Another innovative partnership with the new Manchester branch of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will begin in September. The college is sending pharmacy students to the Sundance Center, so they can learn to relate to and communicate effectively with senior citizens––a critical skill for these professionals. When the college approached Southern New Hampshire Services Inc., Sundance’s nonprofit owner and manager, about finding an appropriate site for the project, college officials were directed to Cataņo. “Each pharmacy student intern will come to Sundance Village for 2 hours, three times a week, to play games, do puzzles, read to, or just talk with residents,” says Cataņo. Through the United Way’s Day of Caring Program, five local Northwest Mutual employees will come to Sundance to help residents with housekeeping, assist with landscaping, or improve the center. “This helps the residents feel proud of where they live because the building and grounds will look great,” offers Cataņo. Another volunteer, a woman who had been a translator for a Korean man who lived at Sundance, has come for the last 4 years to play the piano and sing to residents. She also brings tea, coffee, and cookies. For more information about Neighborhood Networks centers in New Hampshire, contact: Philip W. Holmes U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development–Manchester Office 275 Chestnut Street, Fifth Floor Manchester, NH 03101 Phone: (603) 666-7685 For more information about Sundance Village Neighborhood Networks Center, contact: Loraine Cataņo Sundance Village Center 1915 Front Street Manchester, NH 03103 Phone: (603) 634-0033 E-mail: loraine@snhs.org

Center(s) Highlighted or Profiled:	Sundance Village Center
Scope:	National

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