It wasn’t the deciding factor, but it was impressive and likely to have been influential.
Annie Tomko, a recent graduate of Geneva High School, was accepted to her dream college, Notre Dame, for this coming fall. Her application essay topic was an explanation of the most impactful community that she’s been a part of. She wrote about her experience working and being a part of Greenfields of Geneva senior living community in Geneva. Annie has been a dining room server there for three years.
When Annie received her acceptance letter from Notre Dame, the admissions office noted that her work sounded inspiring and the importance of her relationship with the community was evident. “My essay felt authentic. It’s hard to say if what I wrote tipped the scales for me being accepted, but it was noticed for sure,” she said.
The Executive Director at GreenFields, Elijah Heyboer, said that strengthening intergenerational interactions is a priority at the senior living community. “We promote this through planned programming, natural exchanges, and staffing. The greatest outcome is that the residents and the younger generations benefit tremendously, sometimes in unexpected ways.”
Planned intergenerational activities at GreenFields include a bags tournament, an eclipse celebration, and the Swedish Days Parade. GreenFields has had pen-pal and reading programs with area school children, invited neighbor children in for Halloween, and more. Recently, students from Rosary High School and Marmion Academy put together a senior prom for residents of GreenFields.
Unplanned or organic interactions have included residents attending the high school musical and tennis tournaments in which some dining room servers were participating. Additionally, Annie stopped at GreenFields on the way to her high school prom to show residents her gown,
The benefits of intergenerational interaction for seniors are well known. Older adults feel younger, more energized and engaged, laugh and recall fond memories, and feel purposeful.
Annie described the lesser-known benefits of intergenerational interactions for young people. “It teaches us to socialize with people who aren’t like you. I learned to tell stories or make jokes that people would understand and enjoy. I had to learn to speak in a mature way rather than talking the way I do to my friends and using slang. It’s valuable to connect respectfully with people from a different generation and learn how much we have in common.”
She said teens learn a lot about the residents’ histories and stories and appreciate their lives, sacrifices and accomplishments. Additionally, Annie said that working at GreenFields has helped her develop a strong work ethic. “I’ll never let a bad day show on my face. I only want to be a positive person for the residents. I have to be on and not falter for them.”
Annie said that the greatest benefit of all is that she’s gained 200 grandparents who love and appreciate her. “It’s given me a group of people who are honest with me and supportive. There’s a no-judgment zone,” she said. “I’ve never had a set of grandparents. When I see these couples so much in love as well as having so much love for me, it’s providing family I never had.”
Many of her peers working outside of GreenFields complain about their jobs. “I’ve never felt that way. I’m excited to see ‘my’ people. When I was accepted to Notre Dame, I picked up an extra work shift because I was so excited to be able to tell them,” she said.
