Wake Forest University reported on May 1 that its first-year seminar, “Creative Care: Empathy and the Benefits of Community Engagement,” has fostered a partnership between students and older adults at the Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center. The collaboration is part of an Academic Community Engagement (ACE) initiative that culminated in a capstone project during the spring semester.
The partnership matters because it connects generations through arts-based activities, providing therapeutic benefits for adults living with memory loss while offering students hands-on learning about empathy and community service. The Generations Center, operated by Senior Services Inc., was established to encourage intergenerational connections among Winston-Salem residents.
During their visits, Wake Forest students led poetry exercises with center participants, creating original works inspired by memories of spring. One group named their poem “How Beautiful We Are,” highlighting the bonds formed between students and patrons. Student Kameran Shanks participated in these sessions, which included sensory engagement designed to benefit those with dementia.
First-year student Thomas Tilton described his growth over time: “Our very first day here, everyone was timid and afraid and super tight,” he said. “But you basically let your guard down over time. It’s like exposure therapy, right? And now, I just walk in, go to anyone, sit down and have a conversation.” Cynthia Becker, program coordinator at the Williams Center, said student volunteers are better prepared due to classroom training: “Those young adults come in here and dive right in… They go through dementia sensitivity training… Because of that, I’ve started doing dementia sensitivity training with all the interns that come through.” Allison Walker designed the ACE seminar to move beyond traditional volunteering toward deeper understanding: “This is a high-impact practice for learning,” Walker explained. “It exponentially increases a student’s ability to gain knowledge… These are foundational professional skills…”
The Creative Care class reflects Wake Forest’s broader commitment to experiential learning under its motto “For Humanity.” The university’s relationship with Senior Services began through research on improvisational dance for cognitive health by Christina Soriano and Christina Hugenschmidt. Their work continues at the Generations Center alongside other programs aimed at enhancing quality of life for older adults.
Senior Services President T. Lee Covington described the center as fostering true collaboration across ages: “It’s really beyond partnership. It’s true collaboration,” he said. Renee Griffin added that intergenerational relationships built around arts are essential: “Without other entities that are embracing this idea … then the Generations Center is just a building.”
Wake Forest will share its model nationally when it hosts the Urban Research-Based Action Network Summer Institute from July 13-17; attendees will visit the Generations Center as part of discussions on social determinants of health.
Walker plans to continue teaching Creative Care each semester so partnerships remain strong: “Though the students may change each semester, I hope to remain a partner that the Williams Center staff can rely on…”
