.jpg "\"Welcome to our GrandPals Gala\" sign at Hanover Heights library entrance")
An intergenerational opportunity for learning, storytelling, and friendship at Hanover Heights and Walkerton District community schools has resulted in some special connections.
Grade 5 and 6 students at both schools participated in the GrandPals program this year, which matches adult senior volunteers and small student groups with the goal of bonding, establishing mutual respect, appreciation, and awareness, and learning from one another.
As part of the program, the seniors participated in a school visit each week. Weekly themes for discussion were established, including Home, Family, Learning, Work, and Travel.
To celebrate the program, a GrandPals gala was held at Hanover Heights on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 with student and senior participants, parents/guardians, staff, and media. To showcase the learning and awareness gained through the program, a rapid-fire question session took place. For example, when asked to share a highlight, participants responded as follows:
Students:
“Learning how their life was when they were young.”
“Meeting and making new friends.”
“Bonding with the different ages.”
GrandPals:
“Learning how creative and brilliant that they are.”
“I enjoyed listening to their stories about their lives.”
“I found out how much we had in common.”
Participants were also asked to share one or two words about the program: