Inter-generational program makes for “grand-friends”
Monday, October 31, 2005 -- Craig Anderson
A long-time programming relationship between Frost Manor and St. Dominic’s grade school in Lindsay has proven a boon to both partners, especially for residents who don’t have grandchildren and for young students without grandparents, says Vi O’Leary, LEC.

The inter-generational program has students from St. Dominic’s visiting the home once a month, providing entertainment and generally participating in social events and parties. Currently, both groups share hosting duties, with the students and residents alternating month-to-month.

Each student buddies up with a resident at the beginning of the school year – their “grand-friend.” The students will often bring their grand-friend a gift or a personalized poem, says Vi.

“The students really get excited about it,” says Vi. “Quite a few of the kids don’t have grandparents so it’s important for them. And vice versa for the residents. It’s also important for kids to become more familiar with seniors,” she says.

“The relationship is a pretty good one,” says Vi.

One month, students will provide entertainment in the form of special party. The next month, the residents will hold a special bingo. Seasonal holidays provide built-in programming themes. The annual Halloween party, which takes place today, is to be followed by a Christmas concert in early December.

The inter-generational program was such a hit with David Coyle, a grade six student at St. Dominic’s, that he returned later during the summer to volunteer at Frost Manor. David would help with bingo and during game programs, says Vi, and eventually developed friendships with a few of the residents, visiting them in their rooms. During a twice weekly sing-a-long, held Monday mornings and Friday afternoons, he would sing solo for the residents.

Frost has two other young volunteers – Britney and Katrina Sharpe – a sister pair that was recently honoured with a Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism for their work in the home.