Sacramento, CA (October 2016) -- Eskaton, a nonprofit community-based organization serving seniors throughout Northern California, celebrates the 8th year of Kids Connection by announcing new schools as well as the growth of the program outside of Eskaton.

In an effort to bridge generation gaps, Eskaton Kids Connection recently kicked off its 8th annual school year. “The program began in 2009 with one assisted living community in Carmichael,” said Betsy Donovan, Chief Operating Officer of Eskaton, who started the program with her sister Bobbi Donovan, a veteran school teacher at Kohler Elementary School in the Sacramento area’s Twin Rivers Unified School District. “Growing from one classroom to thirty-one in eight years is quite an accomplishment; it takes passionate people to make that happen. Getting the attention of a school district and educating them on the value takes time.”

The persistence of Adam Hill, program manager, paid off in 2016. “We signed up eight new classrooms this year. Teachers and school districts are now recognizing the value of intergenerational relationships,” said Hill. “Eskaton is seeing healthier outcomes for residents and advanced learning skills for students.”

Eskaton brings more than 650 elementary school children together with 1,000 older adults known as “buddies”. The buddies meet regularly during the school year to read, write, do arts and crafts, play songs and share stories with one another. Schools include Kohler, Allison, Scotten, Blue Oak, Gold Oak, Pleasanton, Sierra View, Regency Park, Castori, Frontier, Ridge Point, Sunrise, Murdock, East Lake, Mt. Shasta, Hayfork, Indian Creek, McKinley and Prospect Sierra elementary schools, as well as Charis High School and Creative Connections Art Academy.

Schools pay nothing for the program. Eskaton donates the material, transportation, and lunch for each visit. Thanks to Eskaton Foundation and its donors the program spread to its affordable housing communities. Eskaton Kids Connection received the Twin Rivers Unified School District's "Inspire Award," The Eisner Foundation's "Excellence Award," and the California Assisted Living Association's "Innovations in Quality Award."  

“This is not just an opportunity for kids to entertain the elderly; it’s an opportunity for true engagement and the development of real relationships,” said Betsy Donovan.

Kids Connection can be replicated at any senior living community. Because of the success of the program, more communities are wanted by teachers in the Elk Grove School District. For more information on Kids Connection, visit www.eskaton.org/kids.