Dept on
Aging Director leads initiative to encourage interaction among
generations
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[August 19, 2011]
SPRINGFIELD -
Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) Director Charles D. Johnson
convened the fourth Senate Forum on Intergenerational Leadership
April 5. The purpose of the daylong forum is to emphasize the
importance of generations working together to promote a world class
education system. Director Johnson was joined by George Reid,
Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, to
explain how generations working together can benefit communities.
The focus of the intergenerational leadership forum was to discuss
literacy and promote student success in reading.
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Reading is important for children’s academic success. However, the
importance of reading goes far beyond childhood. The development of
reading skills is a lifelong process. Adult reading is important for
keeping citizens informed and engaged. Readers are more likely to
pursue social and civic activities such as volunteering.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2011/Apr/13/images/ads/current/vonderleith_bch120310.png)
Some of the day’s forum participants have been instrumental in a
statewide initiative to get older adults active in their communities
by volunteering. In June 2008, Illinois was selected to participate
in the National Governors Association (NGA) Policy Academy on the
Civic Engagement of Older Adults. Since then, IDoA Director Johnson
has led this statewide effort working with a core team and advisory
team who have developed strategies to address the needs of older
adults and promote ways to increase their participation with
particular emphasis of benefiting communities through service,
learning, and work.
“I am pleased to work with this team of dedicated professionals who
have been working to map out the best strategies to get older adults
involved in community and to encourage more interaction between the
generations. Older adults have so much to offer and by encouraging
them to assist students with reading benefits both generations,”
said Director Charles D. Johnson.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2010/Nov/04/images/ads/current/hearing_aid_center_sda102210.png) |
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This was the fourth Senate forum held of this type to develop
strategies to get older adults in Illinois engaged in activity in
their communities. The forum, which promoted generations working
together to promote student success, was held in cooperation with
the Senate Higher Education Committee, the Senate Education
Committee, the Senate Human Resources Committee, the Illinois State
Board of Education and Illinois Community College Board.
Stakeholders in attendance at the forum will also draft a resolution
on “Reading Across the Generations” to be presented to Senate
President John J. Cullerton and Senate Republican Leader Christine
Radogno.
[ILL DEPT ON AGING]
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