Support our new program – SIBSHOPS

According to The Annie E. Casey Kids Count Data Center, 22% of Delaware’s children required special healthcare needs in 2019/2020. Many programs and services exist to support children with special needs and their parents; However, siblings are often overlooked...

Sibshops are highly recreational workshops designed to provide peer support to the brothers and sisters of people with special health, developmental, and/or mental health concerns. Since our workshops are also infused with SEL curricula, siblings will develop an awareness of others’ emotions and perspectives, become more aware of their own emotions, strengths, opportunities for growth, personal interests/qualities, and personal responsibility/advocacy.

Meet one of our Sibshop participants…

Although hesitant at first, Aurora found value in the opportunity to share her thoughts and feelings with a group of her peers. She found her voice as she realized that her peers shared similar concerns – she was not alone. Sibshops offered her a safe space to talk, laugh, learn and grow!

Your donation can make a difference!

Click the arrow to meet Natalie.

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Meet another one of our Sibshop participants….

Natalie was tired and not sure that she would enjoy participating in a Sibshop early on a Saturday morning. However, she discovered that Sibshops was a great place to discuss her concerns and share them with other siblings. Through Sibshops, Natalie has learned that she can develop the skills to advocate for herself and her sibling. She also learned to be a little patient with herself!

Clinical research suggests siblings of children with special health needs have issues and concerns similar to their parents, as well as their own unique needs. The array of stressors and feelings experienced by siblings of children with special needs increase their risk for significant emotional and behavioral problems and functional impairments. Sibshops were created to address this need by providing children with opportunities to engage in conversation, network with other siblings, explore ways to address concerns, and play while developing and building their SEL skills. 

Your donation today will help us continue our efforts to offer SIBSHOPS! 

Your generous donation will help us create more opportunities for children like Natalie and Aurora to find their voice!

Thank you for your support not just today, but all year long!

DONATE

Connecting Generations reaches over 4,400 Delaware students each year through programs we deliver & support.

A positive relationship can change a child’s life. We make positive relationships happen.

BECOME A MENTOR

Students mentored

Schools

Programs

Creative Mentoring

One-to-one, school-based mentoring with a wide reach. Connecting Generations was created in 1990 by Robert A. Kasey, Jr., a retired DuPont executive who wanted to bring caring adults into the lives of young people. What started as a handful of mentors at a single school, has grown into a state-wide program that supports 1800 students at 94 schools throughout Delaware, including programs using high school students as mentors.

We know mentoring works:

  • Over 70% of students improve behavior, attendance and/or grades. 70% 70%
Our training and support programs are research- and evidence based and are increasingly efficient and effective: we are training more mentors and supporting more programs on fewer dollars.
CREATIVE MENTORING

Seasons of Respect

Character-building workshops that address critical needs. By actively participating in interactive and engaging group sessions, children learn how giving respect creates a safe learning environment that can lead to improved self-esteem, confidence, and academic success.

Seasons of Respect has several components: our in-school workshop series for 4th, 5th and 7th grades; our Respect through the Arts after-school program and our new Character Climb Peer Helping program. These character education programs support efforts to improve school climate, enhance the Positive Behavior Support Programs (PBS) in schools, and assist schools in addressing Delaware’s anti bullying laws.

Since piloted in 2006, the program has served over 22,000 students in 60 public schools throughout Delaware.

SEASONS OF RESPECT

Join our team of Delaware business partners

Business partners generously agree to support their employees who would like to mentor in local schools by allowing them to leave work for one hour a week (either paid or unpaid). In exchange, they get more loyal and satisfied employees who appreciate their employers’ support and they support the communities in which they work.

For more information on how this works, contact Executive Director Cassandra McKay by email.

Our Mission

Delaware students need additional support in school. In the 2014-15 school year, 35% of Delaware’s public school students were from low-income homes. That’s more than 47,000 students!

In addition to poverty induced stresses, many of these students (as well those from higher income households) experience adverse home conditions such as substance abuse, family instability, severe health crises, and neglect. We know these children need additional help to stay on grade-level and succeed in school. Most schools don’t have the resources to provide one-on-one support or focus on character development and noncognitive skills. By partnering with schools, other nonprofits, and businesses, we can help students break the cycle of adversity and find success in school and life.

Our mission is to help children become emotionally strong, resilient, and socially competent individuals who can succeed in school and life.

Success Stories
“The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.” — Steven Spielberg

Did you know that 3,100 students completed workshops on positive behavior, bullying prevention, and conflict resolution?

Over 4,400 Delaware students are reached each year through programs we deliver and/or support. Join our mailing list keep up with our latest news, events, and success stories!

“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” — Oprah Winfrey