Once a month, Sunrise View Assisted Living opens its doors to students from Forest Park Adventist Christian School in Everett, Wash.
“Visiting our friends at Sunrise View Assisted Living Center each month has been so much fun," says Katie, an eighth-grade student. “Each time we go, they have an activity that we do with the residents.”
It’s a popular and memorable monthly outing. “I love helping people and just talking to them and getting to know them,” says Jezanae, seventh-grade student. “We get to know more about their childhood as we visit. They are pretty fun for old people. They are friendly and lovable people.”
Jake, another seventh-grade student, likes visiting with his senior mentor, Abel. “He has a very funny sense of humor and the best laugh I have ever heard," Jake says. "We tell jokes and stories.”
“I like going to Sunrise View because there is one special lady there,” says Alan, a fifth-grader. “She had a stroke. She says just a few words like ‘good people all time,’ ‘take your time’ and ‘I love you.’”
The monthly visits are part of Forest Park’s involvement in Partners for Eternity (PFE), a scholarship program offered by Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tenn., that aims to promote mutually beneficial, service-oriented intergenerational relationships at partner institutions.
“I like the PFE program because it helps me to step out of my comfort zone so that I can talk with people,” says Alfred, sixth-grade student.
“Each student has their own unique perspective of our visits,” says Cynthia Miller, Forest Park principal. “A lot of the residents come out to visit our students each visit. There are usually more residents than students that come to visit and do activities with our students.”
The upper-grade students’ excitement about service is influencing lower-grade students who are already dreaming up service ideas and finding ways to be of service at home.
For example, Jonan, second-grade student, writes, “My service is helping my mom and dad with chores around the house. Also I help take care of my little sister. Once a week I help a friend weed her yard. Service is to be like Jesus.”
These visits with honorary grandparents are the key feature in the school’s newsletter, the Wave. View all Forest Park’s service stories and experiences at www.washingtonconference.org/education.
Seniors and students alike look forward to their monthly visits.
Forest Park students enjoy visiting with their senior mentors, sharing school projects and listening to life stories.
Service is becoming a part of the culture of Forest Park Adventist Christian School in Everett.
