One Student Program that Started Small – Then It Began Changing Lives
- Brainz Magazine
- May 28
- 5 min read
Written by Tanisha Taylor, Financial & Life Coach
Tanisha Taylor is an inspirational leader in financial, life, and ministry wellness. Her journey, sparked by a childhood money encounter with her grandfather, has led her to a profound understanding of the impact of money on individuals' lives.
This month was a special collaboration moment; I would love for Ariana Del Re to share the tremendous success of the collaboration and how others can get involved with like-minded versions for intergenerational connections.
It's funny how an idea can begin quietly—like a leaf drifting to the ground—and still shape your life's course. That idea took root in a crisp Ohio autumn in 2007. I was a middle school teacher then, searching for a way to help my students connect more deeply with the world around them—academically and humanly.
I wasn't trying to launch a program. I wanted to give my students a chance to make a real difference. So we began visiting our local senior center, where they would sit down with older adults, listen, ask about their lives, and share their own. Over time, those conversations were carefully documented by students—and then turned into beautiful, professionally bound books created by our organization, capturing the seniors' life stories, memories, advice, and photos.
What began as a small service project quickly became something far more powerful. It opened the door to authentic conversations, mutual respect, and unexpected transformation on both sides of the age divide.
Today, the Youth + Senior Connections program spans middle and high schools, senior centers, assisted living communities, and more. It's supported by Rotary Clubs, school districts, and individual sponsors who believe, like I do, that lives are changed when we slow down, connect, and truly understand one another.
What the program does
Youth + Senior Connections partners middle and high school students with senior living communities and senior centers. Through structured, ongoing visits, students meet one-on-one with older adults, listen, document their life stories on a digital platform, and, most importantly, build authentic human connections. At first, many students see it as a volunteer requirement or something "nice" to do for someone else. But the shift often happens quickly.
“I thought I was doing something for someone else,” one student said, “but then I realized this was for me, too.” “I listened to her stories and realized we had so many things in common,” shared another. “It taught me to look at people who are different from me with a more open mind.”
“He shared a lot of insights about his own life—and those are lessons I haven’t learned yet, being in high school,” said another student. “It made me think about my own life.”
The visits become something students look forward to. “It was the highlight of my school year,” said one. A future automotive technician added, “This got me thinking about how I’ll incorporate talking with people more in my career, not just working under the hood of a car.”
Some students continue beyond the program. One chose to complete her senior project at the assisted living community she had visited. Others return to volunteer. Not for credit, but because the relationships meant something.
What it means for seniors
That feeling is mutual. For many older adults, especially those who feel overlooked or isolated, the presence of a student becomes a bright point.
"Having them tell my story meant I am somebody," one resident told us.
"I'm 93," said another, "I still wanted to make a difference in my community. I couldn't figure out how to do that from this room, but this gave me the opportunity."
Beyond the weekly visits, each participating senior receives a professionally created LifeBook—a beautiful, hardbound collection of stories, photos, and reflections. They can cherish and share it with family and friends, a tangible reminder that their life and voice matter.
The relationships often stretch beyond the scheduled time.
"The time we spent together went by quickly," one senior shared. "Every time, it was like, 'You have to leave already?' But our conversations would stick with me for days afterward."
"When you're in a place like this, it's important to keep living and making new memories," said another. "Otherwise, it can feel like your life is only in the past."
What educators witness
Educators see it, too—the quiet transformation. "In all my years of teaching, this is the most impactful thing I've done with students," Twinsburg High School teacher Maggie Chernick reflected. "They come back more empathetic. They exhibit greater joy. When they visit the seniors, they feel seen—and that sense of being valued builds confidence in a way we don't always get to see in school."
For an educational experience to truly change a student, it can't just be another assignment. It must reach beyond what they've done in a classroom for years. It has to invite them to engage with their minds and hearts and see learning as connecting them to others in meaningful, lasting ways.
Where it's grown
As the program has grown, it now includes students from middle and high schools and partners with various senior-serving organizations—not just assisted living facilities but also senior centers, aging networks, and community day programs.
It's a simple idea, but it takes real support to make it thrive: coordination, transportation, supplies, technology, and, most of all, time. That's why sponsorships—from Rotary Clubs, school districts, and individual donors—have been so critical. These partnerships allow us to reach more communities, serve more seniors, and include more students in this transformational work.
And the return on that investment? It's seen not only in academic growth and engagement but also in something more profound that can't be easily measured. It's the look in a student's eyes when they realize they've made someone feel truly seen. It's how an older adult leans in during conversation, feeling not forgotten but cherished. The unmistakable joy of two people—decades apart in age—finding something in each other makes them feel more human.
Local sponsors from Twinsburg—Tanisha Taylor Coaching and the Stewart family—see the program as more than just a project. "It's a bridge between generations that creates a lasting impact," Tanisha explains. Inspired by its focus on storytelling and mentorship, she adds, "I knew I wanted to support that." Because what makes people's lives better isn't just access to education or even healthcare—though those things matter deeply—it's about connection, feeling like you matter, and making a difference in someone else's life. That's the story we're telling. See here.
For senior communities
We're always looking for senior centers, assisted living facilities, and day programs that want to partner with us. Your residents have stories worth sharing, and students are ready to listen.
For sponsors & donors
Your support helps us expand, transport students, and publish stories. Join our list of partners who believe in intergenerational connection.
Contact us
To learn more, email us at hello@youthseniorconnections.org
Follow us
We're growing our online presence! Follow Youth + Senior Connections on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for stories, updates, and ways to get involved.
Tanisha Taylor, Financial & Life Coach
Tanisha Taylor is an inspirational leader in financial, life, and ministry wellness. Her journey, sparked by a childhood money encounter with her grandfather, has led her to a profound understanding of the impact of money on individuals' lives. Her mission, 'Control your money relationship, 'is a testament to her dedication to helping others create healthy and sustainable relationships with money and business.
