Connecting Generations: Ariana Del Re’s Youth + Senior Connections Program

Ariana Del Re, an educator with over 20 years of experience, shared the story of her groundbreaking Youth + Senior Connections Program during her presentation. This initiative brings students and senior citizens together to build meaningful relationships, share life stories, and preserve personal histories.

The Birth of an Idea

Fifteen years ago, while teaching, Del Re recognized a lack of interaction between her students and a nearby senior center. Driven by a desire to bridge this gap, she launched what began as a simple letter-writing activity. The experiment exceeded her expectations, sparking connections that revealed the value both students and seniors could gain from engaging with one another. Over time, the project evolved into a more structured program where students document seniors’ life stories, culminating in professionally crafted biographies that are gifted to the seniors' families.

The Program in Action

Students visit senior communities, engaging in conversations that uncover the rich experiences of their senior partners. Using a digital platform, students record these stories, which Del Re then refines into polished biographies. Each completed book serves as a keepsake for the senior’s family, preserving their history in a meaningful and tangible way.

The interactions are more than an exchange of information—they are a bridge between generations. For seniors, sharing their stories provides a sense of purpose, cognitive stimulation, and validation. For students, the experience fosters empathy, communication skills, and personal growth.

Transformational Stories

Del Re highlighted several impactful stories that showcase the program’s benefits. One example featured Ashley, a student who worked with Sue, a senior at a local center. When Sue passed away unexpectedly, Ashley and her partner decided to finish her biography with input from Sue’s daughter. This gesture not only provided the family with a cherished memento but also taught the students invaluable lessons about empathy and legacy.

Another story involved Angela Johnson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who had lost memories of her career due to a stroke. Her student ordered Angela’s books and read them aloud during visits, sparking moments of recognition and connection that otherwise might never have happened.

A New Approach to Education

Del Re emphasized that the program serves as a form of "authentic learning," offering students opportunities to grow beyond traditional classroom settings. By stepping outside their comfort zones, students engage in meaningful work that connects them to the broader world, fostering skills that will serve them for life.

She also underscored the importance of joy in education—an often overlooked but critical component of effective learning. Students involved in the program experience the satisfaction of knowing their work has real value, while teachers report seeing new dimensions of their students’ personalities emerge through these interactions.

Expanding the Program

The Youth + Senior Connections Program has operated successfully in several communities, but Del Re is eager to expand its reach. To bring the program to a new area, she needs three key elements:

1. School Partnerships: Identifying classes or clubs interested in participating.
2. Senior Center Connections: Collaborating with communities willing to host the program.
3. Sponsorships: Securing local business support, with $2,500 covering the cost for one community, including transportation and book production.

A Call to Action

Del Re ended her presentation by sharing a video showcasing the program’s transformative impact. She invited attendees to consider how they might help expand the initiative—whether by connecting schools and senior centers, sponsoring a community program, or simply spreading the word.

This innovative program has already demonstrated its ability to create lasting bonds between generations, leaving participants enriched and inspired. Through storytelling, Ariana Del Re is building a tapestry of shared wisdom, compassion, and connection—proving that every life has a story worth telling.