Institutional Capacity for Volunteerism in Intergenerational Shared Sites

Abstract

Intergenerational shared sites (IGSS) have been identified as a potential strategy for attracting older adults into volunteer roles. However, few studies have examined the capacity of such organizations to effectively engage older volunteers. Institutional capacity was used as a framework to examine the volunteer behaviors of older adults receiving services within two IGSS. Data were collected through participant observation and in-depth interviews with staff members. The findings indicate that while older adults are willing to volunteer for the agencies in which they receive services, there were several barriers to intergenerational volunteerism. Implications for intergenerational programming and future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• intergenerational shared sites
• volunteerism
• institutional capacity

Acknowledgments

Editors' note: This paper is representative of the papers that will be published in Journal of Intergenerational Relationship's upcoming special issue, volume 9, issue 4, which will feature intergenerational shared site initiatives.