Residents of Rose Valley Assisted Living have been sharing time with the kindergarten students at Scappoose Adventist School (SAS) twice each month. The kindergarteners and residents alternate visits between the school and the retirement center.
Debbie Sexton, who now teaches first and second grades, began this outreach program as a way for the young children to experience bringing joy to others and to teach them that friendship is not based on age.
This is the third year for these mutually beneficial visits, which often involve holiday crafts or activities planned by either the Rose Valley residents or the SAS kindergarten teacher, Darlene Styles.
The hour-long visits go by quickly, and the residents look forward to the next get-together. “When you get to be my age, believe me, you enjoy working with the kids. I think it’s good for them too,” says Grace Heide with a smile.
Rose Valley Assisted Living resident Grace Heide shares a hug with a kindergartener at Scappoose Adventist School.
