Umoja means “unity,” and Umoja Care’s new Adopt-a-Grandparent program provides an opportunity for youth and seniors to partner up in the spirit of friendship, mutual support, and unity! The program pairs youth (ages 7-21) with a senior in our community, and gives them the opportunity to connect and form intergenerational bonds.
What are the requirements to apply? Simple – None.
As long as you as a youth want to connect with an elderly, ask how they are, learn something about them – we’d love to have you participate! For seniors who want to connect with youth, we think this program is the perfect opportunity, especially amid the isolation caused by the current situation.
All participants in this program are required to apply. Each youth will be paired with a grandparent (senior) from a community after an interview process.
UmojaCare will provide monthly themes and discussion starters to the youth to help in their discussion with the grandparent.
The youth volunteer will summarize their discussion and have the option to create a short biography for their adopted grandparent – their lifelong friend.
The program will span over a 12-month period, but we hope that the relationships will last forever.
On our weekly uMentor talk show, we recently featured two program participants, Br. Maisum Walli and adopted “grandparent” Sr. Sakina Naqvi! They talked about their experience with the program, and it’s a great resource for those looking to learn more. Click here to listen to the podcast!