This summer, children in the School Age Program at Aroostook County Action Program’s (ACAP) Presque Isle Park Street Child and Family Center are partnering with residents of Leisure Village, a senior citizen housing center, to plant and grow vegetable gardens and learn about healthy lifestyles.
Through a grant from the United States Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and the Regional Health Administrators, ACAP and Leisure Village, in collaboration with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Aroostook Agency on Aging, are promoting intergenerational learning about gardening, healthy eating and physical activity. This competitive grant was made available as a result of President Bush’s Healthier US initiative to promote and sustain healthy lifestyles in local communities.
Thirty-five school age children along with 13 senior citizens have planted six raised bed gardens with vegetables. They are planning cooperatively prepared meals using the garden produce and also plan other activities that involve relationship building and the promotion of wellness.
Valerie Delong, school age teacher at the ACAP center, commented, “The children and the seniors get along really well. They have become good friends and the children make gifts and pictures to take to their friends at Leisure Village. The children look forward to their visits each week.”
Five or six children visit Leisure Village each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Paul Adams, the facility’s manager, was extremely supportive of the project and volunteered his own time to cut the wood and preassemble the garden boxes. Adams was unsure how the seniors would respond to the project, but now reports, “They really enjoy it! The residents are very happy with how the gardens are coming along and they love having the children visit.”
Delong said that plans are taking shape to extend the project through the year, taking advantage of the time during school vacations to plan special events with the seniors.
The ACAP Child and Family Center at 44 Park Street in Presque Isle serves children from 6 weeks to 13 years in age and their families with child care and Head Start services. For more information on ACAP Child and Family Services, call 768-3045 or 1-800-432-7881.
Contributed photo
CHILDREN FROM THE SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM at ACAP’s Presque Isle Park Street Child and Family Center prepare a garden with seniors at Leisure Village. Through a grant from the United States Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and the Regional Health Administrators, ACAP and Leisure Village, in collaboration with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Aroostook Agency on Aging, are promoting intergenerational learning about gardening, healthy eating and physical activity.
