Across Ages is a research-based mentoring initiative designed to increase the resiliency and protective factors of at-risk youths through a comprehensive intergenerational approach. The basic concept of the program is to pair older adult volunteers (55 and older) with students (10 to 13 years old) to create a special bonding relationship. The project also uses community service activities, provides a classroom-based life-skills curriculum, and offers parent-training workshops. Older mentors—by acting as advocates, challengers, nurturers, role models, and friends—help children develop the awareness, self-confidence, and skills they need to resist drugs and overcome overwhelming obstacles.
The Across Ages program was evaluated using a randomized pretest–posttest control group design. Pretest and posttest data was collected at the beginning and end of each academic year from 1991 through 1994. Each year the same three Philadelphia, Pa., urban middle schools participated in the program. Experimental and control groups were randomly selected from among the sixth grade classes whose teachers agreed to participate in the program and then were assigned to one of three groups. Group C was the control group receiving no intervention. Group PS was an experimental group that participated in the classroom-based life skills curriculum, performed community service, and had parent workshops. Finally, Group MPS participated in the classroom-based life skills curriculum, performed community service, had parent workshops, and received mentoring from older adults. The evaluation research tested the hypothesis that students in the treatment groups would demonstrate more positive outcomes on the posttest than those in the control group and that the most multifaceted approach (MPS) would result in the most positive change. Of the 729 students completing the pretest, 562 also completed the posttest. The sample was 53 percent female, 52.2 percent African-American, 15.8 percent white, 9.1 percent Asian-American, 9.0 percent Hispanic, and 13.9 percent “other.”
The evaluation results indicate significant positive outcomes on numerous resiliency factors for at-risk youths. The program interventions, especially those for the mentored group, do the following:
The findings indicate that mentoring was critical to the success of the program, but interventions in multiple domains are critical for success. To be effective, prevention initiatives must unite youths and important adults in their lives in a collaborative effort to develop positive coping skills and strategies for resisting alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
LoSciuto, L.; A. Rajala; T. Townsend; and A. Taylor. 1996. “An Outcome Evaluation of Across Ages: An Intergenerational Mentoring Approach to Drug Prevention.” Journal of Adolescent Research 11(1):116–29.
Andrea S. Taylor, Ph.D.
Center for Intergenerational Learning
1601 North Broad Street, USB 206
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215) 204-6733
Fax: (215) 204-3195
E-mail: ataylor@temple.edu
Web site: http://www.temple.edu/cil/acrossageshome.htm
Andrea S. Taylor, Ph.D.
Temple University
1601 North Broad Street, USB 206
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: (215) 204-6708