2024-2025
County Clothes-Line Foundation Community Partnership
We are so fortunate to live in a community where doing for others just comes naturally. And of course, with funding dollars from the County Clothes-Line Foundation, it makes it much easier for all of us at Linking Generations to continue to offer our intergenerational programs to our community seniors and youth. We value our long time partnership and truly am grateful.
Thank you County Clothes-Line Foundation.
Chartwell Emerald Hills and Lakeland Ridge Junior High School Program Concludes for 2024-2025
We’re truly grateful for your commitment to our intergenerational program.
On behalf of Linking Generations, we sincerely appreciate your dedication to ensure our programs are a success, year after year.
Thank You.
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St. John XXIII Elementary School and Fort Community Care Seniors Residence
As we conclude a very successful “Share and Care “program year with our young students and their partnered seniors, we wish to say Thank You for the wonderful partnership we have in place with both the school and seniors’ facility.
This last visit of the school year was fantastic. The seniors and students made ice cream floats and played games to celebrate the year end.
Our students have enjoyed visiting this program year with the seniors, and we know from conversations with our seniors, how much they looked forward to the visits.
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Linking Generations elementary students visit seniors bi-weekly at Fort Community Care
Our Linking Generations programs can help boost mental health and well-being for both seniors and youth.
It is apparent each time we see the smiles and joy brought about during our visits.
Our elementary students visit seniors bi-weekly at Fort Community Care, and are welcomed and cherished by our seniors.
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Heartfelt Thank You to the Flaman Foundation
Each year we benefit from the generosity of our funding partners and with their support we strive to achieve our mutual goals of making positive, lasting impacts in the community where we live.
We are so grateful for the contributions of all our corporate, government and community partnerships!
A special Thank You to Flaman Foundation for our new community partnership!
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Special Volunteer Grandparent spent year teaching Junior High students to knit
Linking Generations would like to thank our special Volunteer Grandparent who has spent the school year teaching our Junior High students to knit.
Learning to knit offers numerous benefits, including improved mental health, reduced stress, enhanced fine motor skills, and opportunities for creativity and social connection. Knitting can also be a mindful activity and a fun, affordable hobby.
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A Testimonial from a Teacher – “It was beautiful, raw, and so sincere”
” When I took on the school role for Linking Generations, I was most excited to continue the deeply rooted tradition that our school started many years ago. What I didn’t fully understand at the time was the impact these relationships would have — not only on the seniors, but on our students as well.
It has been amazing to witness our students’ determination to be present, prepared, and attentive to their senior partners. I remember running into one student — someone I never would have expected — crying in the hallway because they weren’t feeling well and had to cancel their visit at the last minute. They were so concerned about how their absence would affect their senior grandparent. It was beautiful, raw, and so sincere.
The Senior Tea opened my eyes even more to how meaningful these relationships are — and how much they are reciprocated. I am so blessed to have said “yes” last year, and I’m truly honored to be given the opportunity again next year.
We’re already excited for next year. Thank you again, and wishing you a wonderful few months of rest before we do it all over again!
Linking Generations Grandparent Grandma Cy receives “A Book of Love”
As our Volunteer Grandparent concludes for another year, we have the privilege of hearing some of the success stories benign shared:
“This was my last day with the students. I have been truly privileged to have been offered this assignment at Davidson Creek. I thank you very much for giving me the opportunity
You always mention to the grandparents about how we make a difference in the children’s lives. I can attest to that personally. I’m sharing with you a picture of the front cover of a letter book from each student. It brought tears to my eyes and I will always cherish it.”
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St Nicholas Elementary School and Sherwood Care
As we conclude a very successful “Share and Care “program year with our young students and their partnered seniors, we wish to say Thank You for the wonderful partnership we have in place with both the school and seniors’ facility.
This visit was fantastic as the students were celebrating a Ukraine holiday and came dressed up to Sherwood Care in their traditional shirts. The name of the event is Vyshyvanka Day and it is celebrated every year on the same day. The seniors loved seeing the students all dressed up.
The students read to the seniors and played “Getting to Know you Bingo”. As a year end treat, Sherwood Care provided all the students with a bag of chips and a drink box to take back to the school.
Our students have enjoyed visiting this program year with the seniors, and we know from conversations with our seniors, how much they looked forward to the visits.
Thank you Sherwood Care for 18 yrs of programming history and success !!!!
And Thank you to our invaluable funders and community supporters !
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Ecole Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) School and Heartland Housing Cloverbar Lodge
As we conclude a very successful program year with OLPH Junior High School and Heartland Housing Cloverbar Lodge , we wish to say Thank You for the wonderful partnership we have in place with both the school and seniors’ facility.
Our students have enjoyed visiting this program year with the seniors, and we know from conversations with our seniors, how much they looked forward to the visits.
Thank you for the 20 yrs of programming history and success !!!!
And Thank you to our invaluable funders and community supporters !
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St Theresa Middle School and Bedford Village Seniors Residence
Our students have enjoyed visiting this program year with the seniors, and we know from conversations with our seniors, how much they looked forward to the visits.
This special visit saw the students planting spring flowering pots along with doing a craft together.
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Another successful program year with Ecole Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) School and Heartland Housing Silver Birch Lodge/Haven
As we prepare to end a very successful program year with OLPH Junior High School and Heartland Housing Silver Birch Lodge/Haven, we wish to say Thank You for the wonderful partnership we have in place with both the school and seniors’ facility.
Our students have enjoyed visiting this program year with the seniors, and we know from conversations with our seniors, how much they looked forward to the visits.
Thank you to our invaluable funders and community supporters !
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Very successful program year with John Paul Junior High School and Dr Turner Lodge
As we prepare to end a very successful program year with John Paul Junior High School and Dr Turner Lodge, we wish to say Thank You for the wonderful partnership we have in place with both the school and seniors’ facility.
Our students have enjoyed visiting this program year with the seniors, and we know from conversations with our seniors, how much they looked forward to the visits.
To close off the program year, students and seniors planted spring flowering pots along with doing a craft together.
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Very successful program year with Holy Spirit Elementary School and Summerwood Seniors Residences
Linking Generations is proud to offer “Intergenerational Programming,” involving activities that increase cooperation, interaction or exchange between any two generations.
As we prepare to end a very successful program year with Holy Spirit Elementary School and Summerwood Seniors Residences, we wish to say Thank You for the wonderful partnership we have in place with both the school and seniors facility.
Our young students loved visiting this program year with the seniors, and we know from conversations with our seniors, how much they looked forward to the visits.
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Volunteer Gramma Beth received this wonderful THANK YOU card
Being a volunteer grandparent means dedicating time and energy to enrich the lives of children by fostering intergenerational relationships and providing support. This can involve various activities, such as mentoring, tutoring, and offering companionship.
Linking Generations Volunteer Grandparent Program’s goal is to create a positive and meaningful connection between generations, benefiting both the children and the senior volunteers.
Our Volunteer Gramma Beth received this wonderful THANK YOU card from her grade six student !!!
Thank you Beth for your dedication to this program.
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Seniors from Clover Bar Lodge and students from École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) enjoy making Photo Books
Our Photo Making Visit is always requested by our Heartland Housing CloverBar seniors. The seniors enjoy making these photo books because they offer a tangible, immersive way to preserve and share memories that have been captured over this Linking Generations program year.
The books provide a tactile experience, and allow for creative storytelling, and can be a powerful way to stay connected with past moments and strengthen relationships of our linked student/senior teams.
Thank you CloverBar seniors and Ecole Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH students) for a very successful and rewarding program year !
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Seniors from Clover Bar Lodge and students from École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) enjoy time together
Our students created Fun Pens with their linked seniors from Clover Bar Lodge.
So that each time a senior looks for a pen, they are reminded of their special relationships made this year with our students from OLPH School.
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Linking Generations volunteer Marianne at St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School
We are so fortunate to have such a caring and dedicated Volunteer Grandparent, who has taught a grade 1 class how to grow tomatoes.
After weeks of nurturing and checking on the classroom tomatoes, it was time for transplanting day with the Gr 1 class.
Each student had two tomatoes — one for themselves and one to give as a gift to someone special.
Thank you, Marianne.
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Seniors from Country Cottage Retirement Residence and students from Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School enjoy time together
Our students created Fun Pens with their linked seniors from Country Cottage so that each time a senior looks for a pen, they are reminded of their special relationships made this year with our high school students from ABJ High School.
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Linking Generations Thanks Fort Saskatchewan Rotary Club
Each year we benefit from the generosity of our funding partners with whom we work collaboratively to achieve a lasting impact on the lives of youth, seniors, and society as a whole.
Linking Generations is very grateful for our wonderful community partnership in Fort Saskatchewan with The Fort Saskatchewan Rotary Club for their continued financial support for our Fort Saskatchewan Intergenerational Programs.
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Our Special “Littles” visited with Capital Care Seniors
18 Grade one students visited with their Capital Care Seniors, celebrating Easter festivities early. Teams created Paper Plate Easter Bunnies and played “I Spy” Easter game.
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Spring Tea for the Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences seniors hosted by the OLPH students
Each year, our partnership school, Ecole Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH), invites our seniors from Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences to attend a Spring Tea in their honor.
Our seniors are excited and thrilled about this annual event as they not only get to visit with their link students outside the senior facility, they experience what it feels like to be back in a school.
This year was extra special as Linking Generations ensured that the seniors had proper transportation to and from school ! Our seniors came off the bus elated about the bus ride.
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Arriving in Style
Welcome Video
Enjoying the Tea
Seniors Heading Home
Family Meet and Greet for Dr Turner Lodge and St. John Paul Middle School
Linking Generations held their Annual Family Meet and Greet Evening at Dr Turner Lodge recently. This annual event is held to recognize the intergenerational connections made between seniors and youth in our community.
Our mentoring Linking Generations Seniors are an integral part of our Linking Generations program, and we each year we encourage our senior and youth participants to each share our program success with their families. Each senior and student is asked to invite ‘ONE’ family member to attend our special evening.
The Family Meet and Greet is like a regular Linking Generations visit, as there is a structured activity planned to do together.
A few of our comments received at our event were:
- Thanks so much for the great evening experiencing the Linking Generations events. The seniors and the students are both blessed to be able to experience the bonds that bind their lives – sharing ideas and learning from each other.
- Simply put – this is a lovely program. The connection between the youth and the seniors is just what the world needs, not the regression of generations we normally see.
Student thanking Linking Generations – Video
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Spring Tea for the Clover Bar Lodge seniors hosted by the OLPH students
Each year, our partnership school, Ecole Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH), invites our seniors from Cloverbar Lodge to attend a Spring Tea in their honor.
Our seniors are excited and thrilled about this annual event as they not only get to visit with their link students outside the senior facility, they experience what it feels like to be back in a school.
This year was extra special as Linking Generations ensured that the seniors had proper transportation to and from school ! Our seniors came off the bus elated about the bus ride !
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Arriving in Style
Enjoying the Tea
Blind Senior gets Card with Braille Writing
Seniors Heading Home
Family Meet and Greet for Chartwell Emerald Hills and Lakeland Ridge Junior High
Our Linking Generations students and seniors are an integral part of our success. So, it’s only fitting that we share this success with family members. This week, our Family Meet and Greet for Chartwell Emerald Hills and Lakeland Ridge Junior High was an overwhelming success !
Each participating student and senior was encouraged to invite one family member (over 18 yrs. of age) to attend our special evening Linking Generations visit. The Meet and Greet is planned like a regular Linking Generations visit, as we have a structured activity planned to do together. It does prove to be an enjoyable evening for all involved.
We have received so many wonderful comments from our attending participants:
- Simply put – this is a lovely program. The connection between the youth and the seniors is just what the world needs, not the regression of generations we normally see.
- After each Linking Generations visit, my daughter comes home so excited and with stories to share. This program has given her self confidence and an understanding of seniors.
- This program exemplifies that no matter what age the generations are from, relationships can be built and fostered.
- Linking Generations has benefited my parents at Chartwell Emerald Hills. Thank you!
- I see maturity in my son with his approach to his partnered seniors. I was very impressed.
- It is surprising to hear the amount of knowledge young people have today.
- I loved to hear that we can visit our seniors over the summer months.
- I really enjoyed meeting my daughters ‘honorary; grandmother who can share different lived experiences with her.
- It was an established friendship that was strengthened tonight, because of this special visit.
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Heritage visit with St. Theresa Catholic School students and Christenson Developments Bedford Village seniors
When “looking at heritage items,” we share the stories the items tell about the past, the people who created them, and the societies they came from. Our St Theresa students and Bedford Seniors loved this special visit !
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Grandpa Bernie at Madonna School
The message below is on a post from the Madonna Catholic School Facebook page.
Today was a special day! Grandpa Bernie shared some amazing items from the past with our grade 4 students. It was a trip down memory lane as they got to see and touch things that tell the story of the past. From an old phone to an 8 track cassette, it was a wonderful way for our students to learn about history. Thank you, Grandpa Bernie, for making the past come alive!
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OLPH students and Clover Bar Lodge seniors puzzle over Museum pieces
Linking Generations is grateful for our wonderful community partnership with Strathcona Museum.
Our OLPH students and Clover Bar Lodge seniors puzzle over some of the items from a long time ago, trying to guess what they are and what their use was.
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Share N Care Visit with Sherwood Care Seniors
Our Share and Care students brought smiles and laughter to our Sherwood Care seniors this morning, with an array of board games followed by reading to the seniors.
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Heritage items with OLPH Students with their Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences Seniors
Our OLPH students had a great time with their “linked” seniors from Heartland Housing- SilverBirch, today, while sharing conversations about Heritage items.
Students were stumped on many items. We had added some 8-tracks to the items, and none of the students had even seen these before. The antique telephone and encyclopedia were big hits.
Thank you County of Strathcona Museum.
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St. John Paul Middle school visited with their linked seniors at Dr Turner Lodge
While students from St. John Paul Middle school visited with their linked seniors at Dr Turner Lodge , various items were passed from table to table for our Heritage Visit today with Fort Community Care seniors.
Seniors saw items from their earlier years while our students puzzled over what that item could be.
The highlight was seeing an old typewriter !!!
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Share N Care Visit with Fort Community Care Seniors
Our Share and Care students participated in our Heritage Visit today with Fort Community Care seniors. Seniors saw items from their earlier years while our students puzzled over what that item could be.
The highlight was seeing an old typewriter !!!
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Share N Care Visit with Summerwood Seniors
Thank you to our Share and Care program students who visited Summerwood seniors, and created paper stained glass windows to display and brighten the senior facility.
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Teaching our Young Generation to Grow Tomatoes !
Each year, our long time Volunteer Grandparent Marianne, teaches a class of young students at St Nicholas Elementary School how to grow their own tomatoes from seed.
They don’t need much work. After dividing the class into five groups, the students named their team. Now the students wait anxiously for that small little tomato sprout to pop up!
Thank you Marianne for your commitment to our invaluable program, and for the love of children that you have !
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Congratulations to Debbie Sinclair – Receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal
Linking Generations Executive Director Debbie Sinclair was chosen to receive the prestigious honor of being presented the King Charles III Coronation Medal today, recognizing her for her community involvement and commitment to the County of Strathcona and The City of Fort Saskatchewan.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2025. It is the first Canadian commemorative medal to mark a coronation.
Debbie has an incredible passion for seniors and an uncanny ability to connect with youth. When adding these two together, it is easy to understand why Linking Generations continues to thrive, grow, and expand. Since assuming the role of Executive Director for Linking Generations, she has expanded the organization to now offer 14 various senior/student intergenerational programs in the County of Strathcona and most recently The City of Fort Saskatchewan. Debbie dedicates herself to Linking Generations, which the whole community benefits from. She is a strong advocate of community senior and student connectivity and non-profit organizations. She is a past member of Big Sisters, and The Kinettes as well as The Edmonton Progress Club. Debbie has sat in the role of Public Board Member for the Primary Care Network in Strathcona County, Past Board Member of The County of Strathcona Seniors Advisory Committee and she currently is a member of the County of Strathcona Social Framework Steering Committee. She is the proud recipient of the Alberta Capital Region Integrity award, presented by the Sherwood Park Rotary Club.
Congratulations to Debbie Sinclair.
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BRINGING SMILES TO OUR SENIOR FACES!
Our elementary students created paper stained glass windows with our Sherwood Care seniors.
The paper stained glass windows were then hung in the activity room and dining room for all seniors to enjoy.
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“What does that mean?”
Like fashion, slang changes with the times.
Our seniors and students explored the different slang expressions used by youth, young and middle-aged adults, and seniors to describe the same items or ideas over the past 70 years.
This activity heightened the awareness of how our written and spoken language has changed over the past 10 to 70 years.
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Lakeland Ridge Junior High School and Chartwell Emerald Hills
Linking Generations Thanks Fort Saskatchewan “Twice But Nice”
Each year we benefit from the generosity of our funding partners with whom we work collaboratively to achieve a lasting impact on the lives of youth, seniors, and society as a whole.
Linking Generations thanks Fort Saskatchewan “Twice But Nice” for their continued financial support for our Fort Saskatchewan Intergenerational Programs.
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Summerwood Seniors Residences Seniors with Holy Spirit Elementary School Students
Our students and seniors were excited about today’s visit. With a large grade three class of 30 students and 17 seniors, everyone created colouring sheets that were given out to seniors at their lunch.
Students also brought their reading books to the visit as well.
Thank you Summerwood Seniors Residences and Holy Spirit Elementary School.
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3 Robins with students from Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary
Our newest supportive school program links seniors from 3 Robins with students from Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary. Welcome students and seniors.
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St. Patrick’s Day with John Paul Middle School Students and Dr Turner Lodge Seniors
On March 17th, which is St. Patrick’s Day, leprechauns are a prominent symbol of Irish folklore, often depicted as mischievous, tiny, green-clad creatures who guard pots of gold at the end of rainbows.
It’s St. Patrick’s Day. Time to play a St. Patrick’s Day Family Feud game !
Both students (John Paul Middle School) and seniors from Dr Turner Lodge had a great afternoon being green !
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Our Young Elementary Students Drank Green Leprechaun Juice
St. Patrick’s Day observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green.
Our young elementary students drank green leprechaun juice freshly squeezed from leprechauns !!! Thank you Fort Community Care !
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Linking Generations Grandparent Grandpa Bernie
Kids are born scientists, curious about the world around them and how it all fits together. And science experiments are great ways for children to explore the world, learn about the scientific method and just have fun. Our Volunteer Grandpa, Grandpa Bernie, had a special experiment planned for this day.
Grandpa Bernie gave each student a plastic plate, he then added a milk into plate until the bottom was completely covered. He then added drops of 4 types of food coloring into the milk. The students then dipped their Q-Tip into soap and then dipped the Q-Tip into the milk. The fun began then. The food coloring began to swirl around the milk.
One of the students figured out how to ‘paint’ pictures!
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Bridging the Age Gap, Together
There’s an old saying that ‘age is just a number’ yet, all too often, it needlessly drives a wedge between generations due to ageist pre-conceptions.
The truth is that, when younger and older people come together, everybody wins.
(Heartland Housing Foundation – Clover Bar Lodge and OLPH Junior High Students)
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Preparing for St. Patrick’s Day
This was a large class of 30 students that visited Capital Care Strathcona today.
Together, our seniors and students made shamrock paper plate decorations, and coloured Happy St Patrick’s Day sheets.
All will now go on display for our seniors to enjoy with their St. Paddy’s day celebration next week.
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Our Bedford Village Seniors Enjoyed an Afternoon with Our St. Theresa Students
It is always amazing to witness the connections between our Linking Generations seniors and junior high students.
Our Bedford Village seniors enjoyed an afternoon with our St. Theresa students, sharing laughter and some genuine smiles.
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Our Special “Littles” visited with Sherwood Care Seniors
Our special “Littles” visited with Sherwood Care seniors this morning, coloring spring themed pictures which the seniors got to keep !
The added highlight of our visit was playing “Race To The Top” dice game with our seniors.
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Linking Generations Family Meet and Greet Event
Our Linking Generations Students and our Seniors become extremely excited about this evening visit. It gives both participants an opportunity to introduce their ”linked” student or senior to their family.
Each program student and senior can invite one parent or family member over the age of 18 years to attend this visit with them. This visit also allows all of us at Linking Generations to recognize how much each senior and student is an integral part of Linking Generation’s success.
The Family Meet and Greet is similar to a regular Linking Generations visit, as we always have a structured activity to do together plus, we have some fun planned for everyone!
See pictures below.
Family Meet and Greets where held with (click link to go to their pictures):
- Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge, together with Ecole Our Lady of Perpetual Help Junior High Students
- Heartland Housing Foundation Silver Birch Lodge and Haven, together with Ecole Our Lady of Perpetual Help Junior High Students
See pictures below.
Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge, together with Ecole Our Lady of Perpetual Help Junior High Students
Heartland Housing Foundation Silver Birch Lodge and Haven, together with Ecole Our Lady of Perpetual Help Junior High Students
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Our École Père Kenneth Kearns Catholic Elementary School students love reading to their matched seniors at Capital Care Strathcona !
Seniors often enjoy having children read to them because it provides a sense of connection with younger generations, stimulates their minds through cognitive engagement with stories, offers a joyful activity that can reduce stress, and can even help maintain memory and language skills by revisiting familiar narratives.
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Sharing Travel Stories – Clover Bar Lodge Seniors and OLPH Students
People travel for many reasons, including to learn, explore, and experience new cultures.
This visit, our OLPH students heard about travels our seniors have taken and our students shared their dreams of where they would love to go.
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Another Grandpa Bernie visit at Madonna Catholic Elementary School
Madonna Catholic Elementary School Grade 4 Cogito class was thrilled to have Grandpa Bernie join them today.
Today Grandpa Bernie did two experiments:
- The power of a vacuum (the ole egg into the bottle experiment) and about carbon dioxide.
- Making and flying 2 different types of paper airplanes.
The power of a vacuum (the ole egg into the bottle experiment). The first attempt at the experiment worked perfectly. A burning piece of paper was dropped into the bottle, the egg was quickly place on top of the bottle, the flame slowly went out, and the egg was sucked into the bottle. The students wanted to see the experiment again, but it did not work. The flame went out nearly immediately. The students tried to figure out why. And they figured it out. There was very little air left in the bottle, being replaced with a higher concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2)! We just turned the bottle on its side, waited about 1 hour, and retried the experiment. SUCCESS !! These students are very clever to figure that out!
Making and flying two different types of paper planes. The first paper airplane was the traditional folded airplane. All the students folded their paper airplanes and flew them in the class. Then … Grandpa Bernie showed them how to build a different paper airplane – A Hoop Glider. Using a straw and 2 hoops, all the students created their Hoop Glider. And to test how they flew each student tossed their hoop glider toward their teacher!
Lots of cheering and laughing !!
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St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School students visit the seniors at Sherwood Care
Brightening our Sherwood Care Seniors days ! Our Share and Care students spent the morning reading to our seniors and made scratch bookmarks .
When the reading was done, it was time to play the “Race To The Top” dice game.
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École Père Kenneth Kearns Catholic Elementary School students visit the CapitalCare Strathcona seniors
Our Capital Care seniors and Ecole Pere Kenneth Kerns students had an action-packed visit with their linked seniors. From making scratch bookmarks, reading to their seniors, and playing Connect 4.
Our seniors enjoyed the students reading to them as some seniors are nonverbal and this brightens their day immensely. Our grade 3 students did a fantastic job.
Thank you students for Sharing and Caring.
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Linking Generations – Valentines at Sherwood Care
Students made valentines for there seniors from Sherwood Care.
They also left valentines to be handed out tomorrow.
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Linking Generations – Valentines at Clover Bar Lodge
Students from École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School and seniors from Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge visited and discussed valentine questions.
The lodge prepared special Valentine cookies for this visit.
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Linking Generations – Valentines at CapitalCare Strathcona
We created valentines for the seniors and left them to be distributed on Valentines Day,
And, a scratch valentine that was taken home by the students.
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Heartland Housing Dr Turner Lodge Senior and John Paul Middle School Student Visit
Intergenerational relationships are connections between people of different ages. They can be familial, friendly, or mentorship relationships.
Our linked seniors from Heartland Housing Dr Turner Lodge and John Paul Middle School students share laughter and stories with each other.
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Volunteer Gramma Green Visiting Madonna Catholic Elementary School
Thank you to Volunteer Gramma Green, visiting Madonna Catholic Elementary School. Children often love to be read to because it provides a stimulating and engaging experience that helps develop their imagination, language skills, and emotional awareness, while also creating a special bonding time with a caregiver, allowing them to explore new worlds and characters through stories, and often providing comfort and a sense of escape.
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Linking Generations – Valentines at Fort Community Care
Will you be my Valentine?
Our seniors from Fort Community Care look forward to the students visiting on Monday afternoons. On this visit, the teams created foam animal hearts and shared Valentine questions.
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Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School students visit with their matched Summerwood Village Retirement Residence seniors
The Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School students and their Summerwood Village Retirement Residence seniors played a game called “I Spy Valentine”. After this, they played Connect Four.
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Grandpa Bernie visit at Madonna Catholic Elementary School
Madonna Catholic Elementary School Grade 4 Cogito class was thrilled to welcome Grandpa Bernie today, who introduced them to a new math game!
The school has shared that they absolutely love having our Grandpas and Grandmas from Linking Generations visit—it’s always such an exciting experience for the students!
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Sports Day with Lakeland Ridge Junior High School students and Chartwell Emerald Hills seniors
Our Lakeland Ridge students and Chartwell Emerald Hills seniors participated in our sports day activities by guessing national teams, and proudly wearing their favorite jerseys.
This is always a favorite visit with both seniors and students – just more exciting when our visit day is on an Oilers hockey game evening as well.
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Linking Generations – Sports can Happen To Anyone at Any Time
Sports can happen to anyone at any time.
Kick a rock while you’re walking to school? Pretty much the same as soccer!
While sports may not be everyone’s cup of tea, they are an inescapable part of life.
You never know when sports will happen to you, so it’s best to be prepared.
That’s why we’ve created a quiz about sports for the students of École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) and the seniors of Heartland Housing Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences.
We’d say it’s not about winning and losing, but seeing as this is a quiz, it kind of is.
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St. John Paul Middle School and Heartland Housing Dr. Turner Lodge have a Wonderful Visit
Since its inception in 2004, Linking Generations has fostered meaningful relationships through mentored and structured visits, allowing for an exchange of stories, lessons, and laughter that transcends age.
Our students embark on a journey of learning and sharing, where every interaction is a thread in the fabric of our community’s history and future.
Thank you St. John Paul Junior High students and Dr Turner Lodge seniors for sharing and caring.
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2024-2025 Linking Generations Grandparent Program
Created in 2018, Linking Generations is pleased to offer the Volunteer Grandparent Program, this initiative which offers seniors more opportunities to help bridge the multi-generational gap. The Volunteer Grandparent Program was created in response to a lack of opportunities for young and older generations to relate in an increasingly age-segregated society.
Schools on board currently include:
In Sherwood Park:
- Brentwood Elementary
- Davidson Creek Elementary
- Ecole Pere Kenneth Kearns Elementary
- Heritage Hills Elementary
- Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary
- Lakeland Ridge School
- Madonna Catholic Elementary
- New Horizons School
- OLPH
- St. Nicholas Catholic School
- Westboro Elementary
In Fort Saskatchewan:
- Fort Saskatchewan Elementary School
- Our Lady of Angels Catholic School
- St. John XXIII School
- Win Ferguson Elementary School
As a charitable organization, Linking Generations provides mentored and structured visits aimed at building relationships between seniors and youth in our community. The program brings generations together so they can share their knowledge and life experiences, and encourages volunteering and social responsibility in youth.
Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School and Summerwood Village Retirement Residence have another Wonderful Visit
We coloured and “Our Father” Booklet and then the students read them to the seniors. Our other activity was connect four dice game wit the seniors and students really enjoyed.
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Welcome back École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) and Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge students !
Our École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) students and Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge seniors reconnect after the holiday break ………. Board Game Visit !!!!
board game
/ˈbôrd ˌɡām/
noun
plural noun: board games
any game played on a board, especially one that involves the movement of pieces on the board, such as chess or checkers.
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Welcome back St. Theresa Catholic School and Christenson Developments Bedford Village students !
OUR St. Theresa Catholic School and Christenson Developments Bedford Village students reconnect after the holiday break ………. Board Game Visit !!!!
board game
/ˈbôrd ˌɡām/
noun
plural noun: board games
any game played on a board, especially one that involves the movement of pieces on the board, such as chess or checkers.
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Welcome back Chartwell Emerald Hill Seniors and Lakeland Ridge Junior High students !
OUR Chartwell Emerald Hill Seniors and Lakeland Ridge Junior High students reconnect after the holiday break ………. Board Game Visit !!!!
board game
/ˈbôrd ˌɡām/
noun
plural noun: board games
any game played on a board, especially one that involves the movement of pieces on the board, such as chess or checkers.
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Welcome back OLPH Junior High School students !
Nostalgia:
Many adults who grew up playing classic board games are revisiting them or introducing them to their children, creating a cycle of nostalgia and new experiences.
Our OLPH Junior High School students paired with their Silver Birch seniors spent an afternoon playing such board games over laughter and sharing.
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Welcome back St. Nicholas students!
Our students returned to visiting our Sherwood Park seniors after their holidays break, and borough smiles and laughter to all !!
Students read to the seniors and created scratch book marks along with a colouring sheet “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” that were left at Sherwood Care to decorate the halls.
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New Year with Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School students at Summerwood Village Retirement Residence
Our Summerwood seniors were so excited to welcome back our elementary students !
After weeks of no visits, due to holidays, it was so rewarding to see the connections come alive once again.
Students created scratch bookmarks with their seniors and then read to them, after a game of animal dice..
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Linking Generations Grandparent getting More Students to Decorate a Gingerbread man
The Linking Generations Volunteer Grandparent Program was created in 2019 in response to a lack of opportunities for young and old to relate in an increasingly age-segregated society. Under this program, Senior volunteers can volunteer within a school environment – grade 1-8 in different schools in the county of Sherwood Park. Senior volunteers Grandparents share skills, knowledge & experience, all while providing a valuable community service.
To bring in the Christmas break Grandpa Bernie had the students at Davidson Creek Elementary School decorate gingerbread men.
Lots of different ‘styles’ of gingerbread men were created. Some with a little icing, and some with a lot of icing. Some with a few decorations and some with a lot !!
Thank you to the grade 4 class at Davidson Creek Elementary School
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Students from St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School and Seniors from Sherwood Care had Their Christmas visit
The visit with St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School at Sherwood Care was a hit with seniors and students alike !
The students created 100 faith based cards to be delivered to every senior by the Recreation team at Capital Care.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our Sherwood Care seniors.
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Students from École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School and Seniors from Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge had Their Christmas visit
The visit with École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) at Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge was a hit with seniors and students alike !
We had a great time talking, building a candy cane reindeer and singing Christmas Carols.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge seniors.
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Students from École Père Kenneth Kearns Catholic Elementary School and Seniors from CapitalCare Strathcona had Their Christmas visit
The visit with École Père Kenneth Kearns Catholic Elementary School at CapitalCare Strathcona was a hit with seniors and students alike !
The music teacher came with the students from École Père Kenneth Kearns Catholic Elementary School and they did a mini christmas concert in French. They also made Christmas decorations
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our CapitalCare Strathcona.
Check out the videos and pictures below.
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Students from Lakeland Ridge Junior High School and Seniors from Chartwell Emerald Hills had Their Christmas visit
Students from Lakeland Ridge Junior High School and Seniors from Chartwell Emerald Hills had Their Christmas visit
The visit with Lakeland Ridge Junior High School at Chartwell Emerald Hills was a hit with seniors and students alike !
We had a great time talking, building a candy cane reindeer and singing Christmas Carols.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our Chartwell Emerald Hills seniors.
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Students from St. Theresa Catholic School and Seniors from Christenson Developments Bedford Village had Their Christmas visit
The visit with St. Theresa Catholic School at Christenson Developments Bedford Village was a hit with seniors and students alike !
We had a great time talking and we sang Christmas Carols.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our Christenson Developments Bedford Village.
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One of Linking Generations Grandparents getting Students to Decorate a Gingerbread man
The Linking Generations Volunteer Grandparent Program was created in 2019 in response to a lack of opportunities for young and old to relate in an increasingly age-segregated society. Under this program, Senior volunteers can volunteer within a school environment – grade 1-8 in different schools in the county of Sherwood Park. Senior volunteers Grandparents share skills, knowledge & experience, all while providing a valuable community service.
To bring in the Christmas break Grandpa Bernie had the students at Madonna Elementary Catholic School decorate gingerbread men.
Lots of different ‘styles’ of gingerbread men were created. Some with a little icing, and some with a lot of icing. Some with a few decorations and some with a lot !!
After, the students and Grandpa Bernie played a game called “11”. And game involving strategic counting.
The class gave a wonderful gift to Grandpa Bernie. They each read a note saying why they were glad Grandpa Bernie is in their class, and these notes were inserted in a clear ornament so it can be hung on the tree.
Thank you to the grade 4 class at Madonna Elementary Catholic School
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Students from École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School and Seniors from Heartland Housing Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences had a Christmas visit
The visit with École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School at Heartland Housing Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences was a hit with seniors and students alike !
We had a great time talking and we sang Christmas Carols.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our Heartland Housing Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences.
Check out these videos of the students and seniors singing Christmas songs!
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Students from Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School and Seniors from Summerwood Village Retirement Residence had a Christmas visit.
The visit with Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School at Summerwood Village Retirement Residence was a hit with seniors and students alike !
We learnt how to draw snowmen, colored them, and sang Christmas Carols.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our Summerwood Village Retirement Residence .
Check out these videos of the students singing and one senior dancing:
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Students from École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School and Seniors from Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge had a Christmas visit
The visit with École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School at Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge was a hit with seniors and students alike !
What a better way to converse, than making holiday cards together and sharing traditions of Christmas past and present.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge.
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Students from Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School and Seniors from Country Cottage Retirement Residence had a fun visit
The visit with Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School at Country Cottage Retirement Residence was a hit with seniors and students alike !
What a better way to converse, than making holiday cards together and sharing traditions of Christmas past and present.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our Country Cottage Retirement Residence.
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Students from École Père Kenneth Kearns Catholic Elementary School and Seniors from CapitalCare Strathcona had a fun visit
What a great visit this afternoon at Capital Care Strathcona!
Capital Care Strathcona seniors with our École Père Kenneth Kearns Catholic Elementary School grade two classroom coloured Gingerbread men and Christmas trees.
The students also read to their seniors and we played a tic tac toe dice game
The art was then left with the seniors and lodge so as to decorate around the facility.
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Students from St. Theresa Catholic School and Seniors from Christenson Developments Bedford Village have a fun visit
The visit with St. Theresa Catholic School at Christenson Developments Bedford Village was a hit with seniors and students alike !
What a better way to converse, than making holiday cards together and sharing traditions of Christmas past and present.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our Christenson Developments Bedford Village.
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Students from Lakeland Ridge Junior High School and Seniors from Chartwell Emerald Hills have a fun visit
Today’s visit with Lakeland Ridge Junior High School was a hit with seniors and students alike !
What a better way to converse, than making holiday cards together and sharing traditions of Christmas past and present.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our Chartwell Emerald Hills seniors.
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Students from Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary Junior High and Seniors from 3 Robins Emerald Hills have a fun visit
Today’s visit with Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary Junior High students was a hit with seniors and students alike !
What a better way to converse, than making holiday cards together and sharing traditions of Christmas past and present.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our 3 Robins Emerald Hills seniors
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Students from École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) and Seniors from Heartland Housing Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences have a fun visit
Today’s visit with École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) students and Heartland Housing Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences seniors was a hit!
What a better way to converse. Making holiday cards together and sharing traditions of Christmas past and present.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our Heartland Housing Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences seniors !!
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Students from St. Theresa Catholic School and the seniors from Christenson Developments Bedford Village have a fun visit
With the holidays just around the corner, what better time to get into the festive spirit. Our St. Theresa Catholic School students shared holiday cheer with our Christenson Developments Bedford Village seniors by making wooden Christmas Ornaments that were then left with the lodge for their use.
Students from St. John Paul Middle School and seniors from Dr. Turner Lodge have a fun visit
Today’s visit with St John Paul Middle School students was a hit with seniors and students alike !
What a better way to converse, that making holiday cards together and sharing traditions of Christmas past and present.
Thank you students for bringing the holiday spirit to our Heartland Housing – Dr Turner Lodge seniors !!!
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Students from Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School and the seniors Summerwood Village Retirement Residence have a fun visit
With the holidays just around the corner, what better time to get into the festive spirit. Our Holy Spirit Elementary students shared holiday cheer with our Summerwood seniors by making wooden Christmas Ornaments that were then left with the lodge for their use.
The teams colored Merry Christmas pictures and played a snowman dice game.
Students from École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) and the seniors from Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge Capital Care Strathcona wooden Christmas Ornaments
What a great visit at Clover Bar Lodge !
Students from École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) coloured wooden Christmas Ornaments with their linked seniors and then left the ornaments with the seniors so as to decorate around the facility.
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Capital Care Strathcona with our Share and Care grade two classroom from EPK Elementary School coloured wooden Christmas Ornaments
What a great visit this afternoon at Capital Care Strathcona! Our Share and Care grade two classroom of 30 students from EPK Elementary School coloured wooden Christmas Ornaments with their linked seniors and then left the ornaments with the seniors and lodge so as to decorate around the facility.
After the craft was completed, seniors and students gathered together to sing some Christmas carols .
Linking Generations was thrilled to include a U of A student at our visit.
Linking Generations – Fort Christian Elementary with Rivercrest Lodge
Our grade two students from Fort Christian Elementary spent the morning making these nativity window pictures for the seniors at Rivercrest Lodge, Fort Saskatchewan. These were left at the lodge as decorations, with a focus to brighten the senior days
New Program for Linking Generations – 3 Robins with Strathcona Christian Academy
Linking Generations is very excited to announce a new program start up in Sherwood Park, linking grade nine students from Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary with seniors who have moved into the new seniors residence at Three Robins. The focus is on fun at the new Three Robins is a 55-plus community in Sherwood Park, and Linking Generations is thrilled to be part of this new program partnership.
Our first Get Acquainted visit was a huge success with seniors and students sharing information about themselves with each other.
St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School and Sherwood Care Visit
As the cold winter days approach, we bring together our students and seniors to share some conversations and laughter.
Our seniors from Sherwood Care helped our elementary students create foam ocean animals and afterwards our students read interesting facts to their seniors.
Linking Generations Christmas Crafts
It’s holiday craft time.
Did you know that crafting promotes natural conversation and curiosity.
Crafting can also promote many other things, including:
- Mental health: Crafting can improve mood, self-confidence, and reduce stress. It can also help with symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, and PTSD.
- Physical health: Crafting can improve hand-eye coordination, spatial coordination, gross and fine motor movements.
- Cognitive skills: Crafting can help develop cognitive skills and learn new skills.
- Social skills: Crafting can help people connect with others and build positive relationships.
- Math skills: Crafting can help learn math skills like recognizing shapes, counting, and measuring.
- Risk-taking: Crafting can help people take risks and embrace failure.
- Vocational skills: Crafting can demonstrate that you are passionate and enthusiastic.
Lakeland Ridge Junior High School and Chartwell Emerald Hills
École Père Kenneth Kearns Catholic Elementary School and CapitalCare Strathcona
École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) and Heartland Housing Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences
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St. John Paul Middle School and Heartland Housing Dr. Turner Lodge
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Sometimes, just a simple visit is all it takes
Sometimes, just a simple visit is all it takes to make a day brighter.
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One of Linking Generations Grandparents is teaching students at OLPH how to knit
The Linking Generations Volunteer Grandparent Program was created in 2019 in response to a lack of opportunities for young and old to relate in an increasingly age-segregated society. Under this program, Senior volunteers can volunteer within a school environment – grade 1-8 in different schools in the county of Sherwood Park. Senior volunteers Grandparents share skills, knowledge & experience, all while providing a valuable community service.
One of Linking Generations Grandparents is teaching students at École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) how to knit.
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St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School and Sherwood Care Residence Visit
The students read to the seniors. And, together they coloured remember colouring sheets to display for the Remembrance Day ceremony.
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Linking Generations Volunteer Grandparent Program – Nana
The Linking Generations Volunteer Grandparent Program was created in 2019 in response to a lack of opportunities for young and old to relate in an increasingly age-segregated society. Under this program, Senior volunteers can volunteer within a school environment – grade 1-8 in different schools in the county of Sherwood Park. Senior volunteers Grandparents share skills, knowledge & experience, all while providing a valuable community service.
Pictured here is one of our Volunteer Grandparents as she received a hoodie from Win Ferguson Elementary School with her treasured name that the students call her! “Nana”‘.
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St. Theresa Catholic School and Christenson Developments Bedford Village have another visit
Our students from St. Theresa Catholic School and their linked seniors from Christenson Developments Bedford Village, share trivia questions and facts while sharing laughter and conversations.
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Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School and Summerwood Village Retirement Residence Visit
The students read to the seniors. And, together they coloured remember colouring sheets to display for the Remembrance Day ceremony.
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Board Games with the Linking Generations Seniors and Students
Sometimes all it takes is a board game to connect.
What is a board game?
Well, according to the dictionary it is:
plural noun: board games
any game played on a board, especially one that involves the movement of pieces on the board, such as chess or checkers.
Did you know:
Playing board games triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals.
“Happy hormones” have the power to improve conscious and unconscious mind functions, leaving a person feeling cheerful, compassionate, and ultimately content.
École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) and Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge
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Lakeland Ridge Junior High School and Chartwell Emerald Hills
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École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) and Heartland Housing Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences
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St. John Paul Middle School and Heartland Housing Dr. Turner Lodge
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Lakeland Ridge Junior High School and Chartwell Emerald Hills have another visit
Our students from Lakeland Ridge Junior High and their linked seniors from Chartwell Emerald Hills, share trivia questions and facts while sharing laughter and conversations.
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Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary Students Bring A Smile to our Summerwood Seniors !
The benefits of children visiting elderly seniors are immense. Both can have fun participating in an activity together.
While visiting today, students discussed and shared with our seniors the various types of animals that there are, and asked if the seniors had pets when younger. Many shared their memories of younger years with a pet or farm animals.
Linking Generations is so honored and grateful to know that our Share and Care Programs are proving to be such a success for both youth and seniors alike.
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Linking Generations is thrilled to kick off our 2024-2025 Junior/Senior High School Program year
Intergenerational programs have become more important than they have ever been in our 19-year history. Linking Generations continues to be dedicated to maintaining intergenerational programming and connections wherever possible. We know from experience that intergenerational programs build lasting friendships, keep youth and seniors connected, reduce isolation and depression, break down stereotypes, ageism, and racism, and help both youth and seniors to feel more optimistic about their futures.
Linking Generations provides intergenerational programs which can in some years involve more than 400 students and seniors connecting together biweekly for one hour. The relationships which develop over 10 months of visits create social and emotional development and leadership skills. Through these visits, there is a mutual transfer of knowledge as students and seniors connect, social isolation is reduced, and self-esteem increases as participants report a deeper sense of fulfillment in their lives.
Welcome back students and seniors!
École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) and Heartland Housing Clover Bar Lodge
École Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) and Heartland Housing Silver Birch Lodge/Haven Seniors Residences
St. Theresa Catholic School & Christenson Developments Bedford Village
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Lakeland Ridge Junior High School and Chartwell Emerald Hills
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Capital Care seniors and École Père Kenneth Kearns Catholic Elementary School Students Visit!
This afternoon, our EPK students painted assorted pictures with our Capital Care seniors.
Seniors helped our young students with a Math Dice Game “Make That Number” — whereas you add or subtract the number on the dice and colour the squares. The player with the most colours after squares all filled in wins.
This game was enjoyed and the seniors that were able enjoyed helping the students decide which square to colour.
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Students Visit with their New Senior Friends at Sherwood Care, Sherwood Park
Our Share and Care Programs are proving to not only be beneficial, they are proving that the demand for programs such as ours is very much needed.
Linking Generations believes that young people need the experience and wisdom of their elders and the elders need the innocence and exuberance of the children.
Children need to learn from the older people and the older people need to teach what they know to the children.
Wisdom can be shared by the elderly, lessons learned can be taught by those of experience.
Children keep us young and display innocence. Two of the highest qualities in life.
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Autumn Leaves Activity
In autumn fewer hours of sunlight and colder temperatures trigger a chemical change in tree leaves. That’s why they can turn different colors such as red, orange, yellow, and brown. In some areas leaves become so bright they’re visible from outer space.
Our elementary students teamed up with their linked seniors and created Autumn Leaves masterpieces. The fall thankful autumn trees that were left at Capital Care Strathcona for the seniors to enjoy
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Students Visit with their New Senior Friends at Fort Saskatchewan Community Care
Our Share and Care Programs are proving to not only be beneficial, they are proving that the demand for programs such as ours is very much needed.
Linking Generations believes that young people need the experience and wisdom of their elders and the elders need the innocence and exuberance of the children.
Children need to learn from the older people and the older people need to teach what they know to the children.
Wisdom can be shared by the elderly, lessons learned can be taught by those of experience.
Children keep us young and display innocence. Two of the highest qualities in life.
Students Visit with their New Senior Friends at Summerwood Seniors Residence
Our Share and Care Programs are proving to not only be beneficial, they are proving that the demand for programs such as ours is very much needed.
Linking Generations believes that young people need the experience and wisdom of their elders and the elders need the innocence and exuberance of the children.
Children need to learn from the older people and the older people need to teach what they know to the children.
Wisdom can be shared by the elderly, lessons learned can be taught by those of experience.
Children keep us young and display innocence. Two of the highest qualities in life.
Capital Care seniors and Ecole Kenneth Pere Catholic Elementary School Visit!
Visiting with our older adults can help children become comfortable with our aging population and bring cheer to those who are isolated and lonely.
Our Capital Care seniors are excited about this year’s program and look forward to meeting students from Ecole Kenneth Pere Catholic Elementary School.
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Our Volunteer Grandparent Program Returns September 2024 !
This program was created in response to a lack of opportunities for young & old to relate in an increasingly age-segregated society. Senior volunteers enjoyed the chance to share skills, knowledge & experience, while providing a valuable community service.
The overall success of this program was amazing – teachers shared how our program allowed youth to see seniors in a different light and our seniors have shared how much they loved the experience of sharing their own stories with the younger generations.
Our volunteer grandparents attended a afternoon orientation and are excited to get started !
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Fort Saskatchewan Embraces New Share and Care Program !
Intergenerational programs have become more important than they have ever been in our 20-year history. Linking Generations continues to be dedicated to maintaining intergenerational programming and connections wherever possible.
We know from experience that intergenerational programs build lasting friendships, keep youth and seniors connected, reduce isolation and depression, break down stereotypes, ageism, and racism, and help both youth and seniors to feel more optimistic about their futures.
This September, we are thrilled to expand program operations and kick off a new Share and Care program with seniors residing in Fort Saskatchewan Community Care Centre.
Elementary students from St. John XX11 Catholic School will visit bi-weekly with reading books, coloring, or simply playing a game of snakes and ladders with our seniors.
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Welcome back Seniors and Students !!!!!
Linking Generations has once again expanded operations in September 2024, offering our first ever weekly Share and Care Program program to seniors living in long term care at Capital Care Strathcona (Sherwood Park).
Many of our seniors in our regular school/senior facility programs are aging out of the junior high/high school programs and need to interact with youth in a different manner.
Elementary school students visit bi-weekly reading books, coloring, or simply playing a game of snakes and ladders with our seniors who are taking their final footsteps in life.
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