NCJ Number
179966
Journal
Child & Youth Services Volume: 20 Issue: 1/2 Dated: 1999 Pages: 77-99
Date Published
1999
Length
23 pages
Annotation
Across Ages is a comprehensive, intergenerational mentoring program in Philadelphia designed to reduce adolescent drug abuse and to help older adults maintain active roles in their communities.
Abstract
The program uses older adults as youth mentors, engages students in community service activities, provides a classroom-based life skills curriculum, and offers activities and support for parents and families. In an evaluation of the program, students in classrooms from Philadelphia public schools were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) curriculum and community service condition (program group); (2) curriculum, service, and mentoring condition (mentoring group); and (3) control group. Three original and eight modified scales were completed by 562 students in a pretest-posttest design to measure alcohol, drug, and tobacco use among 6th grade students. Program group participants, compared to control group participants, showed significant improvement in their sense of well-being, knowledge about elders, reactions to situations involving drug use, and attitudes toward community service. Participants in the mentoring group also improved in their attitudes toward school, the future, and elders. Implications for further research and practical considerations for program replication are discussed. 32 references and 3 tables