The mission of Across Ages is to serve as a comprehensive intergenerational mentoring initiative that has been successful in helping youth navigate the difficult course through the early teen years. Across Ages was initiated by CIL in 1991. The centerpiece of Across Ages is the involvement of older adults as mentors for youth ages 9 to 15. In addition to spending time with their mentors, children in Across Ages are involved in community service activities that benefit the neighborhoods around their schools, and they receive classroom instruction to cope with stress and promote positive decision-making. The program also provides support to children's teachers, parents, and family members through workshops, recreational events and counseling or referral.
Students remain in the program for a minimum of one year.
Successful mentor-youth matches, however, are often maintained for at least three to four years. Since its inception 1991, Across Ages has served almost 1000 middle and elementary school students attending public schools in Philadelphia. Across Ages students live in the city's most economically depressed neighborhoods, characterized by poverty, a high incidence of substance abuse and drug-related crime, and blocks of abandoned houses. Many live with grandparents or other relatives because of their parents' inability to care for them. Unemployment is high and many of the children know few adults who are working.