High school has Garden Terrace residents to tea
Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - Michelle Strutzenberger
Students from Holy Trinity Secondary School can sometimes be seen in the hallways of Garden Terrace, volunteering with the elderly there. But it is rare to see seniors from the long-term care home walking down the halls of the plus 2000 student, Kanata school.

That, however, is what happened this past Tuesday when the high school invited 25 residents from the Omni long-term care home for an afternoon Christmas tea.

Jennifer Groulx and John Pert, teachers at Holy Trinity, organized the event.

“[We] decided to host this event because we both thought that it would be an amazing experience for our students,” says Groulx. “Teenagers don't often get the chance to interact with seniors and vice versa. I don't think that students really appreciate all the life experiences and wisdom that the elderly have to offer.”

Groulx suggests that there may be a little insecurity on both sides, which could contribute to the lack of meaningful interaction. Her hope was that with the Christmas tea, some of these barriers would be broken down.

Another reason for the event was to give students a firsthand experience with working with the elderly. “Perhaps the kids will one day decide to volunteer in a seniors’ residence or even go into that line of work later in life,” says Groulx, who teaches a course called “Designing Your Future,” which is geared to helping student decide their life’s direction.

She says she also wanted to teach them the meaning of compassion and giving back to their community.

In November, the students sent invitations to the home for 25 residents to attend the tea.

On Tuesday afternoon, December 4, about 15 students walked over from the school, which is just across the street from Garden Terrace. They escorted the residents back to the school’s library where refreshments and drinks were waiting.

While a student jazz band performed in the background, residents and students sat and ate and chatted together.

“It was really nice to see the different generations sitting and talking,” says Shannon Boisvenue, life enrichment coordinator at Garden Terrace.

At one point during the afternoon, a group of students moved from table to table, performing magic tricks.

The afternoon was enjoyable for the residents, says Boisvenue. “It was a big hit.”

There is definitely talk of future events involving students and seniors at the school, she says.