National Neighborhood Volunteer Day Begins to Solve the Generation Gap"

The fourth JOIN HANDS DAY is June 21, 2003

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (PRWEB) June 11, 2003 - On June 21, young people and adults across America will come together for JOIN HANDS DAY, a national event that builds relationships and increases respect between generations while they volunteer together to improve their own communities.

To create the partnerships, adult groups and youth organizations will work together to plan and implement projects, with people of all ages taking on important responsibilities. To find a project near you, go to the web site http://www.joinhandsday.org/" target="_blank">www.joinhandsday.org and go to > Locate a Project.

Importance of the Day

Connecting these generations in good works has become more important than ever with the recent rash of reckless incidents involving teens. Most recently, the violent hazing by high school seniors and unsupervised parties where students trashed two homes in the Chicago suburbs drew national attention. Some parents even provided the alcohol for the hazing event.

According to the Chicago Tribune, May 18, 2003, messages of respect and responsibility aren't getting conveyed because parents are so busy. Parents relax as their children get older - precisely the time when they need to be more vigilant than ever.

The same Chicago Tribune article cited a study by two Columbia University researchers, published in the September/October issue of Children Development, who examined 300 6th and 7th grade pupils. Their findings revealed "high rates" of clinical depression and substance abuse, which the authors blame, in part, on "isolation from adults."

"JOIN HANDS DAY is one way to channel teen energy into positive experiences that involve young people and adults," said Michael Stivoric, JOIN HANDS DAY chair. "These new partnerships work as a first step in building friendships between people of different generations, and begin the process of developing understanding, trust and respect between them."

Making an Impact

JOIN HANDS DAY works. After only three annual events, JOIN HANDS DAY accomplished significant, measurable strides in increasing appreciation and respect between generations, according to the 2002 JOIN HANDS DAY Evaluation Report. The evaluation was conducted by the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, a nationally renowned and highly-respected evaluation group.

The 2002 Evaluation Report discussed results of a survey distributed to 12,000 participants on JOIN HANDS DAY with a 21 percent response.

JOIN HANDS DAY was created specifically as a catalyst to build relationships between generations. According to the report -

• 67 percent of youth survey respondents who participated in 2001 and 2002 reported that their experiences with JOIN HANDS DAY helped them better appreciate adults. The figure rises to 71 percent who affirm, "After JOIN HANDS DAY, I realize that adults value young people more than I thought."


• 70 percent of adults who participated in both years in JOIN HANDS DAY now realize that young people are more responsible than they previously thought. The figure rises to 74 percent who affirm, "My experience with JOIN HANDS DAY helped me better appreciate young people."


• Most participants were generally comfortable with and enjoyed the company of other generations on JOIN HANDS DAY.

About the Sponsors

Sponsored nationally by America's Fraternal Benefit Societies in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network, JOIN HANDS DAY encourages people to connect across generations to build greater mutual understanding, respect and trust. People of all ages work, side by side, to tackle projects and improve conditions in their own neighborhoods.