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.
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SENIOR Irene Ramo shares a quiet moment with a child from ACAP Child and Family Service.
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 George Bush’s HealthierUS 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, has witnessed the positive fruits the unique partnership has produced. “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 manger was extremely supportive of the project and volunteered his own time to cut the wood and pre-assemble the garden boxes. He was unsure how the seniors would respond to the project, but reports overwhelming success. “They really enjoy it! The residents are very happy with how the gardens are coming along and they love having the children visit,” he said.
Delong said that plans are taking shape to extend the project through the year, taking advantage of time during school vacations to plan special events with local seniors.
One such event was the seventh annual Summer School-Age Summit held Aug. 1 in Presque Isle. This year the summit focused on the newly formed partnership with the senior community. ACAP students from Fort Kent and Caribou joined their Presque Isle counterparts to tour the gardens and then meet at Mantle Lake Park in celebration of healthy lifestyles. A barbeque and ‘garden ready veggies’ as well as ‘home made’ ice cream made with berries picked by the students was enjoyed by the young and young at heart. Entertainment included foot stomping and dancing to the sounds of Bernard Ayotte and Friends. Fishing was available to the group thanks to the ‘Hooked on Fishing’ project. Children planned some ‘old time’ games such as potato sack races that helped bring back some memories from days gone by.
Celebrating 35 years of services, ACAP provides the people of Aroostook with services and programs in the areas of health, nutrition, child and family, energy and housing and employment and training. As a leader or in partnership with others, ACAP provides guidance to the community in responding to emerging human needs. For more information on ACAP programs call 764-3721 or 1-800-432-7881.
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ACAP STUDENT Jessica Shaw offers a cool drink to members of the Bernard Ayotte & Friends Band.
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TEACHER BETHANY McBreairty watches over a wet sponge relay race with children from ACAP Child & Family Service School-Age Program.
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HELPING A GROUP of children prepare fresh green beans for a community lunch is ACAP Community Education Specialist Marcia Kavanaugh.
