The Impact of Intergenerational Bonds
Jaraah H., Atlantic County Institute of Technology Chapter President, learns how to turn a lifelong ideology into a reality through intergenerational bonds.
During my junior year of high school, I began volunteering at Seashore Gardens, a local nursing home. While engaging in service, I witnessed how withdrawn the seniors had become due to the pandemic and how revitalized they would be when the youth entered the room, eager to share a glimpse of their world with them. An ideology I grew up with was “If we protect our elders from neglect, we also protect our hearts.” This bled into my character and my drive to give back to my community. I confided in my guidance counselor about how disheartened I was that I didn’t know how to help the senior residents. Luckily, her daughter had started a GlamourGals chapter at Millville High School in New Jersey a few years back, and she presented the organization to me, willing to assist me as an Advisor. I started to research GlamourGals on my own, and the more I read people’s stories, the more assured I became that this was what the senior residents at Seashore Gardens needed to uplift their moods. By establishing a chapter, I was able to build a community among the seniors and my fellow classmates. The students who volunteered viewed Seashore Gardens as a safe haven, a place which fosters conversations, affection, and laughter. The seniors’ demeanors completely transformed from taciturn and reserved to friendly and animated.
GlamourGals became super important to the seniors and volunteers in our area. Our visits gave them something to look forward to and new memories to create. Every time we go back, the senior residents always tell us how we made their day and to come back soon. Chapter members write about the heartfelt moments they shared and come up to me all the time to share. It warms my heart to see the intergenerational relationships my chapter members were able to cultivate throughout the year. As our time is beginning to dwindle down with the end of the year approaching, I can truly say with all my heart that the impact GlamourGals has created for the community is ever-lasting.
