On Tuesday, May 26, students from the Elmbrook LAUNCH program’s Medicine and Healthcare strand helped put on a Prom for the residents of ProHealth’s Brookfield Regency Senior Community! The partnership between LAUNCH and Brookfield Regency provides students with essential hands-on learning within the community. Twice a week, students visit the facility to assist with daily programming and engage with residents alongside Inez Pronold, the Lifestyle Enrichment Coordinator. Pronold, who conceived the Prom idea, praised the students for their kindness and dedication, noting that the event's success was directly tied to their involvement, “the level of fun we had could never have been achieved if it wasn't for the students being here.”

LAUNCH students, Regency staff and residents enjoyed a full hour of entertainment and dancing from a local live performer in addition to a photo booth and appetizers. “I loved talking to all the residents and meeting new people,” stated Brookfield East junior Lily Schmitt. “I’ll remember so many of them for the rest of my life.”

The event underscored the mutual benefits of such intergenerational partnerships. For the residents, the Prom provided a vital source of social engagement and immense joy, breaking the routine of daily life with music and dancing. “That was a lot of fun,” said the Prom King. “I’ll have a lot to tell my family about.”

Simultaneously, the experience offered students invaluable hands-on learning and empathy-building opportunities, fostering a deep appreciation for the wisdom and life stories shared by the older adults. “Older adults are not just older adults. They have so much wisdom, so much love, and a story to share," said Inez, “to see the students interact with the residents and get them out of their seats and dancing - that human connection is just the most beautiful thing… I’m very grateful to them and to LAUNCH.”

Elmbrook’s LAUNCH program for juniors and seniors includes 12 different pathways (strands) ranging from Law and Public Policy to Future Teachers, and partners with Wauwatosa Schools to provide students with expanded options. The program emphasizes profession-based learning, incorporating projects and placement experiences with traditional classroom studies. LAUNCH’s Medicine and Healthcare strand started in 2019, and has helped create a talent pipeline of future healthcare workers, providing students with powerful hands-on experience and even a dedicated Medical Lab space.