Kittay House Happenings

August 2009

Kittay Tenants Pass the Gift of Education to 17 Bronx Youth

Bronx high school students are gaining first-hand experience and training in medicine, while learning from Kittay House "elder mentors." The Geriatric Career Development (GCD) Program reaches and challenges students on every level – professional, academic and personal - giving them not only a rigorous and inspiring head start on a career in nursing and medicine, but a meaningful experience to help them gain compassion, understanding and perspective.

On June 16, the Fellowship Achievement Award Dinner honored the first GCD graduates, as well as the elders who helped them on their way. Kittay House tenants Sam Gluck and Rhoda Kaufman and Bob Rubin (son of tenant Edith Rubin) were among the honorees. Throughout the year, they tutored the GCD students in various subjects: Rhoda in English, Bob in Social Studies and Sam in sign language.

For participant Flora Cherot, "What really was interesting to me was to see the large variety of subjects people talked about: themselves, families, childhood, life, war, grandchildren and nature, among others."

All three Kittay House residents were amazed at the drive and determination of the students to learn and grow. Ms. Kaufman notes, "Darlene Corporan and I were able to form a strong connection through her desire to learn. I am thankful that I was able to play a part in her educational path."

All of the graduates will be attending college in the fall and will continue their expeditions of lifelong learning with a solid foundation that the Kittay House tenants helped to provide.