Of the many comforts of home that college students often miss, one can be the relaxation and peace of spending time with family. But participants in the Davidson Adopt-a-Grandparent program have found a refreshing way of dealing with this challenge: meeting and enjoying the company of a local senior citizen who is happy to be their “grandfriend.”
The program, which has been active for over 30 years, works in conjunction with the Town of Davidson Department of Parks and Recreation. The Department helps Lindsay Howard ’10 and Liz Rollins ’10, the President and Vice President of the program, identify senior citizens who have shown interesting in being friends with a college student. They then review student interest and attempt to find the best personal match for every student.
“We work hard to pair grandfriends and students that have similar hobbies and interests,” Howard said. She explained that the Parks and Recreation Department is particularly helpful in matching students and grandfriends, since many of the senior citizens have been participating in the program for numerous years, and the department staff knows them well.
The Parks and Recreation Department also helps the Davidson student coordinators plan campus programs and often provides food and refreshments for participants.
About 50 Davidson students and local senior citizens are currently involved with the Adopt-a-Grandparent program. Howard reports that more students express interest each week as the program continues to grow.
Howard explained that the program hours are flexible, but students are expected to stay in touch with their grandfriend throughout the year and to attend a small number of group social events that the program coordinators plan and host. Beyond that, students and their grandfriends can pursue their friendship in any way they want, planning their own activities and meeting times.
Group events, which are held on campus, usually focus on sharing a meal and good company. Recently, the program organized a game and cookie night, to which seniors and students brought their favorite board games and treats for an evening of light-hearted fun.
Adopt-a-Grandparent also hosts a number of annual events, including their Thanksgiving Potluck, which will take place this Thursday, and a catered farewell dinner at the end of the year. Program participants also attend formally organized activities, like sporting events and choir performances, together.
The Adopt-a-Grandparent program started in the 1970s, when Davidson Senior Services, a public program disbanded in 2004, founded it as an avenue to encourage students to assist the elderly. The program, which was originally entitled the Student Senior Friendship Program, soon switched focus from the assistance students could provide with daily tasks and chores to the meaningful relationships that were developing between students and grandfriends.
The program coordinators emphasize the fun and relaxing nature of the program, which many students find a pleasant alternative to the stress and pressure that they often experience on campus. Howard also focused on the enrichment that can arise from a friendship with an individual of another generation, who has life experiences and insights that are encouraging and inspiring for students.
“This program works to break the intergenerational divide, and connect Davidson College more with the Davidson Community,” Howard said. “It is really a great way to meet people from the Davidson area and foster meaningful connections with them.”
Howard went on to explain that when she first joined the program, her relationship with her grandfriend helped ease the transition into college life.
“My freshman year, while adjusting to Davidson’s academic and social atmosphere, it was comforting to have someone close by care for me,” she said. “My grandfriend took me out to lunch and invited me over to her house anytime.” Howard even went on a trip to Winston-Salem with her grandfriend and her daughter during her freshman year.
The program is also a good way to meet other Davidson students, since many of the grandfriends have relationships with a number of students. Howard explains that she often goes over to her grandfriend’s house with the other two Davidson students she has been paired with so that the group can enjoy some “family time” together.
Students who are interested in participating in the Davidson Adopt-a-Grandparent program should contact Howard or Rollins.
Students enjoy friendships with local senior citizens
Caroline Wood
Published: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Updated: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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