Sweet Readers

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Programs & Events

We provide three types of programs – Intergenerational Programs, Community Events and our Leadership Council – each developed to inspire, support and surround the transformative engagement between our middle school Sweet Readers and their adult partners, who live with Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia.

INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS

Our intergenerational programs pair middle school students ages 11-14 (called Sweet Readers) and adults in an intimate group setting in school classrooms, eldercare centers and museums.

The programs meet weekly and over the course of six weeks, participants together explore and create art, music, poetry and/or movement as they discover each other. Sessions are led by a trained facilitator with a customized Sweet Readers curriculum.

Our programs foster a warm, inclusive feeling of community during which everyone has a vital purpose.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Sweet Readers Middle School Programs take place during the school day. We partner with and bridge a variety of schools (public, independent, charter, schools for students with learning differences, single sex and co-ed) and include adults from a local eldercare center or from their own home with their care partner. We train entire grades of students and include 2-4 consecutive program cycles throughout the school year. Learn More

After School Programs

Our After-School Programs provide afternoon programming for our adult participants (who attend on their own, with their care partners, or as part of an eldercare center), opportunities for Sweet Readers to continue with the program outside of their school experience and for students, whose schools do not provide Sweet Readers, to participate. We typically run three consecutive program cycles throughout the school year. Learn More

Community Events

Our Community Events bridge, support and strengthen our communities and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and how to protect your brain!! There are many ways to get involved.

The Sweet Readers Leadership Council is comprised of select high school students, Sweet Readers alumni, who believe in the power of young people to change the course of Alzheimer’s and enrich diverse communities in the process.

The Council’s mission is to build Sweet Readers communities and educate the public about Alzheimer’s and Brain Health.

Apply Learn More

The Sweet Readers Method

The Sweet Readers Method of Transformative Human Engagement, starting with our experiential Playshop!® training programs, is based on five major steps.  Our Method transcends all of our programs.

The Sweet Readers method of Transformative Human Engagement:

STEP 1:

A CLEAR GOAL

Sweet Readers are given one clear goal: To Discover the Person behind the masks of aging and Alzheimer’s.

STEP 2:

A SET OF TOOLS

We provide Sweet Readers with a set of tools from which to choose in order to reach their goal.

Tools include:

Basic Science Knowledge • The Arts • The Facilitator • Communications Skills • Human Engagement Skills • Peer & Community Support • A Structured Curriculum • Leadership Skills

STEP 3:

ACCESS

We give Sweet Readers access to adults in an intimate group setting with plenty of time to build meaningful connections.

STEP 4:

RISK, CHALLENGE & CHOICE

Breakout success, however, challenges Sweet Readers to open their hearts and minds, be patient and adapt to changing circumstances, especially with our adult participants in the moderate stages of AD.

STEP 5:

REFLECTION & VALIDATION

The experience is reinforced through self-reflection, evaluation and validation.

Our Playshop!® training method is a fun and creative learning environment during which participants learn about The Sweet Readers Movement for systemic change, the Science of Alzheimer’s, our Method of Transformative Human Engagement and how to best utilize the arts.

Each program is rigorously evaluated from multiple perspectives, including self-reflection. Participants are validated in culminating events, our community programs, through social media and with progressive engagement opportunities including our Leadership Council.

Impact A Life

Inside the Programs