UVM has fostered a partnership with the Center for Aging through the internship program Grand Friends. This program bridges the gap between students and the elderly to foster intergenerational learning and understanding by pairing UVM students with older adult volunteers. This has been a benefit to the students, preparing them to be empathetic, well-informed geriatric social workers, and the community members involved. 

This work has been integrated into a new service-learning course offered through CESS, "Theory and Integration Prep Seminar" taught in sections by Danielle Jatlow and Jean Sienkewicz. This course prepares students for a career in social work through ongoing structured discussions, simulations, and assignments linked to their future practice. Through the partnership with the Grand Friends program, this course is able to complement both the senior year Field Experience and Practice courses, providing students with impactful educational experiences that they will carry with them into their lives and careers after graduation.

To learn more about this program, you can view this article detailing the Grand Friends Inernship Partnership, and this piece from the Center on Aging which includes testimonials.