At 10:30 a.m. Thursday, 200 students from the Winton Place Academy Elementary School, 4750 Winton Road, join seniors at the Senior Citizens Center in Lincoln Heights in a line dance.

        The students and seniors are partners in the Generation 2 Generation Program, sponsored by the Manual D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation.

        “They break down barriers of age and complex social environments and build strong, supportive relationships through educational activities and socialization,” said Phillip Williams, program director for senior services at the center.

        The Generation 2 Generation program pairs senior citizens with children who need additional nurturing in their lives, Mr. Williams said.

        The seniors make routine visits to the school to volunteer and serve as mentors. This week the kids will visit the seniors.

        “The Generation 2 Generation Program is an outstanding opportunity for both the students and the seniors,” said Regina Tippens, a board of trustees member of Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses. “It matches students who have had a breakdown in family structure with seniors who need a sense of purpose. Dancing and music are the universal languages that have broken down barriers of race and culture.”

        The center is part of the Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses' Valley Branch at 1100 Lindy St., Lincoln Heights.

        Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses are nonprofit and offer services to children, adults, families and seniors. Last year, the agencies served 7,200 Hamilton County residents.

        Former television anchor Courtis Fuller and Angela Leisure, mother of Timothy Thomas, who was slain in April 2001 by a Cincinnati police officer during a foot pursuit, have joined the Three Square Music Foundation's Project RAP to help raise funds for a matching grant.

        RAP (Resilient Adolescent Partnership) seeks to benefit children by developing positive lifestyle choices and leadership abilities, said Kimberly Southerland, director of the Foundation.

        Project RAP is trying to raise $156,000 by May 31 for a matching grant of $186,000 from Empowerment Zone funds.

        Students at Dixie Heights High School and River Ridge Elementary School will perform patriotic musical plays written by teachers at each school.

        Priscilla Roberts, a teacher at Dixie Heights, has written a play, America, I Can Still Hear You Singing.

        Students will perform the play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the school.

        Anne Autry, a teacher at River Ridge, has written Rockin' Salute to America-2002. It will be performed by the students at 6:30 p.m, May 14 and 15 at the school.

       Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. He can be reached at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.
       

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