By Sybil Prince ‘00, LCSW
Hospice, Service Learning, and Mindfulness Educator
Center for Mindfulness and Empathy Education
This past trimester, Trish Corcoran, Harley’s Indigenous and Environmental studies educator, and I were excited to revitalize the WISE program (Working Together: Intergenerational Student/Senior Exchange) at Harley. With a focus on nurturing empathy and connection, we brought together seven Grade 6-8 students and seven elders from St. John’s for a unique learning experience.
Weekly sessions buzzed with conversation, games, and collaborative activities. These weren’t just fun and engaging; they provided a platform for our students to:
- Awaken their generous hearts: Through interaction with the elders, students developed a sense of care and compassion for those outside their immediate circle.
- Embrace differences: Connecting with individuals from a different generation allowed students to see the world through a new lens, appreciating the richness of diverse experiences.
- Practice mindfulness: The program emphasized the importance of being present in the moment, fostering deeper connections with the elders.
- Sharpen social-emotional skills: From communication to teamwork, the WISE program provided opportunities for students to develop valuable social and emotional tools.
But the learning extended beyond the shared sessions. When the elders weren’t present, students delved deeper:
- Perspective Taking: Students actively tried to understand the elders’ experiences, analyzing stories and reflecting on their own assumptions.
- Experiential Activities: Activities like aging simulations helped students walk a mile in the elders’ shoes, fostering empathy.
- Finding Common Ground: Despite generational differences, students discovered surprising similarities that strengthened their connections.
- Reflection and Planning: Students took time to reflect on their learnings about aging and planned future visits, ensuring those visits catered to the elders’ specific needs.
The WISE program was a resounding success. It wasn’t just about information exchange; it was about building bridges of understanding and fostering a more compassionate generation. We look forward to seeing the program continue to blossom in the years to come!
