What is The Amity Program?

By: Grace Majoros

The Amity Program is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering meaningful intergenerational connections. For the past five years, The Amity Program has been successfully operating on the local level, creating opportunities for students and seniors to engage in purposeful conversations, activities, and experiences. The mission of The Amity Program is to instill compassion in younger generations while  integrating seniors in stimulating activities. The Amity Program meets these goals cultivating a sense of community through three branches: Books, Board Games, and Bonding; Card Making; Art Box. Learn more on our Branches page!  

As The Amity Program continues to expand to more senior homes and schools, we need your support! Whether you are a student looking for  meaningful ways to give back or a community member wanting to leave an impact , there are many ways to get involved. 

 Intergenerational connection benefits all who are involved.  Participants involved with the Amity Program are guaranteed to develop a deeper sense of community and empathy.

Explore our website for more!

The First Visits to the Winter Term of the BBB

By: Vivian Yim

Entering its third year post establishment, the Books, Board Games, and Bonding Program (BBB) commenced its weekly visits to Henry Street Settlement on Sunday January 12 2025, with its highest count and most eager set of volunteers yet!

With a whopping 52 student volunteers, all excited to begin visiting Henry Street, the BBB started off the new year better than ever! "It was so amazing to see all of my friends, give them hugs, and dance and play games with them again," Vivian said. Getting right back into the groove of line-dancing with David, playing cards with Maria, and freshening up our pingpong skills with Larry's amazing lessons, the BBB is set up for a great year of building relationships and beginning new ones with all of the residents of Henry Settlement!

UPCOMING:

Sophie and Vivian are continuing to rebuild the branches, connections, and progress of the Amity Program. Their next step is outreach: extending weekly BBB visits to more local senior homes, as well as offering volunteer opportunities to more students in New York City!

What to Know About Elder Isolation

By: Vivian Yim

Senior isolation can be defined the same as social isolation: the absence of relationships with family, friends, neighbors, or even society at large. The University of Michigan Health Lab states that 1 in 3 older adults experience isolation. This overwhelming number of 33% is a leading cause of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline in the elder population.

It is proven that seniors can actively boost their mental health through socializing. The American Public Health Association has found that organizations providing social activities and interaction (like the Amity Program!) help senior citizens by:

• Aiding with cognition and memory recall

• Raising spirits and improving mood

• Promoting healthy behaviors (including dancing, laughing, playing games, exercising, etc)

At The Amity Program, students regularly attend senior homes in their local communities to laugh, dance, play, create, compete, and bond with older adults. From the University of Michigan Health Lab's research, we can hypothesize that around a third of these adults experience isolation. The Amity Program's dedicated and consistemt programming between students and seniors provides direct solvency for the great social issue of elder isolation.