St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, cohost of the 2017 Global Intergenerational Conference in Milwaukee, will present a 1.5-day preconference on June 13-14, 2017. The Shared-Site Replication Summit will offer in-depth training on how to replicate St. Ann Center’s world-renowned model: a shared site that provides the community with intergenerational day services for children and adults, an overnight respite and aquatic center—all under one caring roof.
“We hope this Summit will help create a new social model of care for the entire nation—one that provides a noninstitutional lifestyle of service, choice, compassion and dignity to all ages,” – Sr. Edna Lonergan, OSF, St. Ann Center president and founder.
Studies show bringing the generations together uniquely benefits both children and older adults, she added. “The adults rediscover their sense of purpose as they share their wisdom and experiences with the children. And the youngsters show improved academic performance, confidence and acceptance of people who are different from them.”
St. Ann Center has been recognized as a Generations United Program of Distinction since 2010, which serves as the national benchmark for effective intergenerational programming. The center is also the recipient of the Intergenerational Shared Site Best Practice Award from Generations United, demonstrating daily the incredible benefits of engaging both younger and older people in the same building.
The first day of the Summit will be held at Zimmerman Architectural Studios, which designed St. Ann Center’s own replication—the Bucyrus Campus, opened in 2015. Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United, will be the keynote speaker, discussing the importance of creating a community for all ages. Workshop sessions will be led by speakers with first-hand experience in St. Ann Center’s successful replication process. Topic areas include: conducting a community needs assessment and developing services that meet the unique needs and culture of the neighborhood. Also covered will be designing your center, choosing and working with an architect, running a dynamic capital campaign, effective fundraising and the ins and outs of government funding.
The second day will feature behind-the-scenes tours of St. Ann Center’s original Stein Campus, opened in 1999 on Milwaukee’s south side, and the new north side Bucyrus Campus. Tour leaders Sr. Edna Lonergan and architect Doug Barnes will discuss décor, use of color, choosing the right materials, construction of an indoor park and intergenerational playground, and designing to meet childcare regulations. During the tours, you’ll share in the excitement of various intergenerational activities, as the kids and adults spend the morning together.
“You can see it the minute you walk in the door—it’s a fun, fascinating and loving environment. It’s also much more cost-effective to bring the generations together in a shared day care setting.” – Sr. Edna
Financial support to host the preconference is provided by the Helen Daniels Bader Fund, a Bader Philanthropy. “For over two decades, St. Ann Center has been trailblazing how and where people of all ages connect with one another. The Center’s programs, staff and facilities offer a point of inspiration for children and adults from every corner of Milwaukee,” said Helen Ramon, program officer for Alzheimer’s & Aging.