The Temple Center for Intergenerational Learning was one of 19 organizations nationwide to share $492,180 in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Aging Initiative grants. The grants are designed to encourage a better understanding of how to reduce the environmental health hazards associated with older persons.

The Temple project received $24,662 to mobilize older adults from low-income neighborhoods in Philadelphia to educate elementary school children about environmental hazards that endanger community health.

A group of 15-20 older adults will be recruited from neighborhoods that have been identified as having the highest rates of asthma and diabetes to serve as Environmental Health Coaches. The older adult participants will engage in a 12-week training program designed to increase their knowledge about the effects of environmental hazards on public health, enhance their ability to utilize the arts to effectively educate children, and build their skills as community leaders.

They will then work with teachers at 3-5 area elementary schools to engage approximately 140 children in a series of workshops intended to increase their knowledge about environmental triggers for chronic health conditions and help them develop action steps to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.

These grants are part of EPA's larger effort to protect the health of older adults, who may be more susceptible to environmental hazards, through its Aging Initiative.

For more information visit the Aging Initiative webpage.

2/25/2005