Newton at Home Launches Another 'Intergenerational Partnership' with NNHS

The following is a press release issued by Newton at Home, which was submitted to several publications:

Newton at Home and have launched their second intergenerational partnership providing free auto mechanic services to Newton at Home members.  A nonprofit grass roots organization, Newton at Home helps Newton seniors remain safely and independently in their own homes as they age with a broad array of programs and services.  Following on the heels of the successful partnership between NNHS ‘s Career and Vocational Technical Education Carpentry program inaugurated this winter, the Automotive initiative is spearheaded by Paul Wagner, the school’s Automotive Technology instructor and Newton at Home’s Coordinator of Volunteer Services, Julie Plaut-Mahoney. Just as NNHS Carpentry students have been performing small carpentry projects in NAH members’ homes, the Automotive initiative will enable them to bring their cars to the high school for an oil change and a thorough car “check up” performed by NNHS Automotive students.  NAH members pay only for parts and materials. The student labor is entirely free. 

“This program enables our students to get real life experience dealing with customers and evaluating their vehicles,” Wagner says.  It also gives them an opportunity to interact with Newton’s senior citizens and give back to the community in which many of them live.”

Newton at Home member Frances Kadinoff, the program’s first customer, was highly impressed. “This is a fantastic idea,” she said. “The students were so thorough and professional, and I was treated like a VIP.” While she waited for the report on her car, Timothy Hamann and Davante Maxwell, along with their teacher Paul Wagner, gave her a tour of the school and treated her to coffee and cake in the student-run restaurant, Tiger’s Loft. Both young men are third year Automotive students and serve as Student Ambassadors. 

Newton at Home Executive Director, Maureen Grannan says she is delighted with the initial success of both the Carpentry and Automotive partnerships.  “This relationship is beneficial to our members as well as the students,” she observes.  “It’s really a win-win opportunity and we are very grateful to the high school for its enthusiastic cooperation.”