TIGPTORONTO INTERGENERATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS FALL 2001

� Board Member’s Message, page 2

� Executive Director’s Report, page 3

� TIGP gets a new home, page 3

� Celebrating 2001, InternationalYear of Volunteers, page 4

Partnershipsin Action

Celebrating 2001,International Year

of Volunteers

� Remembering Frank Wadge,page 5

� Danforth Collegiate partners withGreenwood Towers, pages 6 & 7

� Bringing home, community andschool together at Parkdale, page 8

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

� Lord Dufferin students visit seniorsat Donvale, page 10

� New community partnerships,page 11

� Our community partners, page 12

Inside: Fall 2001 Team Report

GROWING TOGETHER: Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute students, GreenwoodTower residents, TIGP staff and greenhouse volunteers, and even Deputy Mayor Case Ootes(centre, in jacket and tie), came together last May to plant three gardens at Greenwood Towers.For more on this story of building strong community connections, turn to pages 6 and 7.

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

TIGP BOARD MEMBERS2000-2001Carol Bongard

Susan Davey

Pat Fannon

Margaret ( Dot) Hal l

Vanda Henriques

Lorna MacGregor

Jean Probyn

Joe Salerno

Jane Wi lson

PATRON COUNCIL MEMBERSPaul Godfrey

The Honorable Margaret McCain

Dr. Bette Stevenson, O.C.

FUNDERSToronto District School Board

Ministry of Ci tizenship

Ministry of Heal th andLong-T erm Care

Municipal i ty of Metropol i tan Toronto

The Ontario Trillium Foundation

United Wa y of Greater Toronto Area

Private donations

TIGP STAFFChristina Stewart, Executive Di rectorSue McMahon, Manager,Programs and Vo lunteersMargaret Morris, Seniors AssistanceHome Maintenance CoordinatorCinzia Limotta,Program Coordinator

FIELD PLACEMENT STUDENTSShelley Halverson —

George Brown College

Kim Ferguson, Anastasia Howard,Ji l l Wi l l cott — Humber Col lege

How to Reach Us

WRITE: To ronto I ntergenerationalPartnerships, Danforth Col legiate,800 Greenwood Av enue, Toronto,ON M4J 4B7

PHONE: 416-531-8447

FAX: 416-531-7337

Our Mission & MandateToronto I ntergenerational Partnerships(TIGP) i s a non-profi t, c hari table,community-based organization thatcreates and f aci l i tates l inkages acrossgenerations i n order t o:

¨ cultivate a sense of trust and caring inan age-segregated society;

¨ promote awareness between thegenerations through mutuallybeneficial partnerships;

¨ enrich the lives of participantsthrough activities designed to supportand encourage social responsibilityand volunteerism.

Toronto I ntergenerational Partnershipsserves di fferent generations andcul tures i n partnership wi th educators,individuals, community agenciesand organizations. I n f ul fi l l ing i tsmandate, TIGP:

¨ creates, supports and coordinatesintergenerational programs as well associal, recreational and educationalactivities;

¨ provides resources, expertiseand training in the field ofintergenerational programming;

¨ participates in conferences, forumsand workshops for the exchange ofintergenerational experiences.

TIGP i s t he major advocate anddeveloper of i ntergenerationalprograms i n t he Ci ty of Toronto.

2

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

To all TIGP friendsand supporters

Thanks to each of you who in theyear since our last general meetinghave given your time and financial

support to TIGP. As you can see from ChrisStewart’s report on the next page, the pastyear has been filled with challenges andtransition for our agency.

Chris and her staff, Sue, Margaret andCinzia, have done a remarkable job indealing with the uncertainties of finding anew home, moving and settling in, all thewhile creating and maintaining TIGPprograms.

The first annual March of Drums in Oc-tober was a remarkable success. I urge allof you to join us next year and walk withall ages in a public show of supportagainst child abuse. Through TIGP’s workin organizing this event, new partnershipsand collaborations are emerging, provid-ing new opportunities for us to grow, re-spond and be recognized.

We are ready for 2002, with new boardmembers, new opportunities and newchallenges; however, none will prevailwithout our volunteers. TIGP needs theirhelp more than ever.

We need sub-committees members toprepare for next year’s march; assistancewith programs; an extra pair of hands inthe office – just to name a few areas forvolunteer help. We also need help in fund-raising; traditional sources are cuttingback, yet our needs continue to grow.

So stay with us and continue to makethe magic happen! And find another tojoin you and your efforts for TIGP. Dothat and the magic will continue to hap-pen for us all.

Susan Davey

TIGP Board Member

3

This has been a year of tremendouschallenge and change for TIGP. Ahome lost, a new home gained; a

new program initiative that takes us andthose we serve into the technological age;a commitment and action on the issue ofchild abuse, and the opportunity to devel-op our organization to better reflect andtap into the strengths of diversity withinToronto communities.

We not only gained a new home at Dan-forth Collegiate, thanks to the Toronto Dis-trict School Board, we also opened a newcommunity office and volunteer trainingcentre at Greenwood Towers and HansenPlace through a growing partnership withToronto Housing Company.

Our recent response to the need for self-directed activities and program models forthe frail elderly in long-term care institu-tions has resulted in a new collaborativeproject team involving TIGP, Seneca Col-lege’s Gerontology Department and Com-munity MicroSkills Development Centre.Each team member brings a complemen-tary expertise such as program develop-ment, training in gerontology and website design and development.

This team will develop, deliver and evalu-ate the innovative “Seniors in Cyberspace”program in 12 long-term care facilities,and has just been approved for two-year

funding by the Minis-try of Citizenship.

“Seniors in Cyber-space” engages youthto train seniors in ac-cessing the Internetand will be supportedby a companion website to encourage andassist others in devel-oping their own pro-gram. The programwill foster self-directed choices, decreaseisolation and provide opportunities to tapinto the worldwide community.

Our first annual IntergenerationalMarch of Drums launched during ChildAbuse Prevention Month in October was agreat success, bringing together peoplefrom all ages and walks of life in breakingthe silence around child abuse.

It was a wonderful, heart-warming eventstarting in the St. Lawrence neighbour-hood and marching to the Air CanadaCentre, amidst the sound of drums, to theunveiling of the Child Abuse PreventionMonument. We have great plans for nextyear so stay tuned!

The board and staff of TIGP have made astrong commitment to increase their organi-zational capacity to tap into the strengthsand assets of diverse communities.

Thanks to the Ontario Trillium Founda-tion we will have the resources to planand develop innovative approaches thatwill enable more seniors, youth and chil-dren of diverse backgrounds to contributeand benefit in their community.

All of us look forward to engaging in theissues and opportunities that this comingyear will bring us in building a better fu-ture together.

Chris Stewart, Executi ve Di rector

TIGP has a new home

Having settled into our new space atDanforth Collegiate and Technical

Institute, we welcomed everyone at anopen house last May. Many volunteers, ed-ucators and community partners joinedus to share past memories and network atthe event.

In celebration of 2001 International Yearof Volunteers, those attending joined in cre-ating individual quilt squares, depictingtheir intergenerational involvement overthe years. The squares were sewn togetherto create a “Memory Quilt,” celebrating thehistory we have made together.

This quilt will be on display at our Dan-forth office and taken to programs toshare with seniors and volunteers whocould not join us at the event.

We’d like to thank the staff at DanforthCollegiate for supporting our move totheir school. A special thank you also toKaren Barker, East Toronto COU Manager,Toronto Housing Company, GreenwoodTowers, and her staff for supporting usduring relocation.

We are pleased to announce that as of lastAugust, TIGP has a community office atGreenwood Towers, across from DanforthCollegiate. We look forward to workingfrom the community to promote the inter-generational concept and volunteerism.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

New program:Seniors in Cyberspace

Getting ready to march against child abuse in October.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

A year of challenge, change and expanding opportunities for TIGP

4

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

2001 - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF VOLUNTEERS

Lilian McPhersonLilian McPherson isa last remaining“Greenwood Gran-nie,” who at 84 stillenjoys sharingmemories at theGreenwood TowersIntergenerationalProgram. Lilian feels that her involve-ment makes her “richer, by having some-thing to look forward to”. She “looks for-ward to the children who are well be-haved” and “always eager” to see her. Lil-ian has also made friends with seniorsparticipating at the program.

Lilian SalterLilian Salter, along-standing,original volunteerat the greenhousehas “retired” after15 years of sharingher love of trans-planting and prop-

agating cuttings. Lilian acted as treasurer forthe executive committee, always ensuringthat records balanced to the penny.

Laura BoothAfter 15 years as a greenhouse volunteer,Laura Booth “retired” when she moved toScarborough. Everyone was pleased tolearn that Laura stillplans to share herknowledge by comingback to support theannual greenhouseplant fundraiser inMay. She certainly hasa green thumb! BothLilian Salter and Lau-

The Ministry of Citizenship recognizesvolunteers with a long-standing com-

mitment to organizations. We are pleased toannounce that the following TIGP volun-teers were recognized at the InternationalYear of Volunteers Award Ceremony in June:• Frank Chapel, greenhouse volunteer• Margaret (Dot) Hall, bingo fundraiser

and board member• Dugald Matheson, ESL volunteer• Russ Smith, greenhouse volunteer• Simpson Waverman, ESL volunteer

Congratulations to longtime volunteers!

Some of the volunteers that make TIGP work: l to r, Jim Press, LilianMcPherson, Dorothy Press, Ruth Martin, Derek Thompson.

We would also like to recognize the fol-lowing TIGP volunteers who have dedicat-ed over 10 years of intergenerational vol-unteer service:

Laura Booth Savi Chowbey

Marion Cowan Hilda Finnigan

Tempa Harrison Alison MacLeod

Lilian McPherson Dorothy Press

Jim Press Lilian Salter

Derek Thompson Ross Wagg

Helen Wadge

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Over the years I have grown to value thewisdom of age through meeting inter-

generational volunteers who have given the giftof time — sharing their interests, skills andknowledge with students of all ages.

Their dedication to bringing generations togeth-er through volunteer placements in ecology, liter-acy and the arts has made me recognize the im-portance of giving back to one’s community.

In my younger years, I would change myjob every year to gain new experiences andfurther my knowledge. This pattern was bro-ken when I became an employee of TIGP, as I

In recognition: the International Year of Volunteersam constantly learning and living with theenthusiasm of intergenerational volunteers.

The shared stories and the feedback we getfrom our volunteers tells us how they value theopportunity to enrich a child’s life. As FrankChapel, a TIGP greenhouse volunteer, says, “byvolunteering with children we have the privi-lege of meeting the future before it arrives.”

I give thanks to our special group of volun-teers who have enriched my life throughknowing them.

Sue McMahon

Manager, Programs and Vo lunteers

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

(cont’d on next page)

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

5

2001 - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF VOLUNTEERS○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

ra contributed endless hours to “behindthe scene” greenhouse maintenance, en-suring that the greenhouse plants werewell maintained for classroom visits.

Margaret (Dot) HallMargaret (Dot) Hallbecame a TIGP volun-teer when she retiredat the age of 65. Forthe past 14 years Dothas been actively as-sisting with educa-tional workshops for

seniors, recruiting new volunteers, assist-ing at special events, coordinating weeklybingo, knitting blankets for seniors andserving on our board. We have valued herenergy, wit and enthusiasm that neverends. We will miss Dot when she “retires”from her volunteer role this year ... every-one extends their heartfelt thanks for youryears of dedication and hard work!

I still miss him. Frank Wadge be-came a volunteer at Glen AmesSr. School in 1992 at the age of83. He just liked to be around

children. For almost six years heworked out of my Grade 8 classroomdoing anything I needed — any teach-er’s dream!

I had set aside a box simply labeled“Frank.” During the week beforeFrank’s day, usually a Wednesday, Idropped into the box photocopying,laminating and organizing tasks that Iwould need in the weeks ahead.

Frank learned to operate two differenttypes of photocopying machines and alaminator. It must have shrivelled hisenvironmental soul but he did it because Ineeded it. In the library or classroom, hesupervised groups who needed to be kept ontask, sometimes challenging when workingwith adolescents. He also accompanied myclass on many field trips.

Frank was unfailingly a gentleman inevery sense of the word and truly was anintelligent man and a model of the life-long learner. He was always interested inwhat I was trying to accomplish in myclass. Frank would bring me newspaperclippings or articles about what I wasteaching, or things of interest like oldschool books so the children could seewhat it was like in the “old days.”

Frank and his wife Helen, who also vol-unteers at Glen Ames, were sometimes una-ble to start each September as they werewhitewater rafting in B.C., or horsebackriding in the rainforests of Costa Rica, or onan elder hostel tour in Europe! They alsohad their wonderful converted schoolhousein St. Mary’s where Frank could satisfy hisneed to work with the soil.

Frank helped many other teachers in theschool as well. He helped design the tech-

nology program, the library, and was partof a canoe trip around the Toronto Is-lands. Wherever and whatever you needed,Frank was always there.

The neglected garden in front of theschool was of particular interest to Frank.He, who worked so hard on his own school-house property and volunteered throughTIGP at the Toronto Urban Study Centregreenhouse, could not bear the barrenspots. Spring after spring he dug up thegranite soil and planted flowers, persever-ing for years to bring beauty to the garden.

It seemed a fitting memorial to Frank tomake his dream happen. With the support ofPrincipal Gail Barkic, new iron railings wereerected, funded through a millenniumproject grant, and new plants have begun toprosper. Plans were made to ensure the gar-den is maintained over the summer. Aplaque on the wall above the garden an-nounces to all that this is the “Frank WadgeMemorial Garden” — fitting indeed.

Cathy Martin

Former Glen Ames teacher, now atWinona Dr. Sr. Publ ic School

Memories of an honourable man

Helen Wadge, Laura Booth and RussSmith at dedication of Frank WadgeMemorial Garden.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Our great partners!Community agencies and organiza-tions serving seniors have a long his-tory of staff devoted to implementingFriendly Visiting Programs. The fol-lowing agencies and organizationshave been leaders in intergeneration-al programming for over 10 years:• Belmont House• Castleview Wychwood Towers• Elm Grove Living Centre• Grenadier Retirement Residence• O’Neill Centre• Spencer House• Toronto Housing Company(Greenwood Towers)• Woodgreen Community Centre

Their commitment to bringing gen-erations together has enriched thelives of seniors they serve and studentsin the Toronto District schools. Bravo!

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

Program Highlights

6

A testimonial to community volunteer service

Students at Danforth Collegiate andTechnical Institute have formedan Intergenerational Committeeto serve community seniors

throughout the school year. The studentsfelt that they had limited opportunities tosee their grandparents, due to distance,and joined the club as they enjoyed spend-ing time with seniors.

Committee members turned out in fullforce to participate at our Annual VolunteerChristmas Luncheon held at GreenwoodTowers, decorating the hall, serving refresh-

ments and helping clean up. The studentsalso welcomed TIGP volunteers at our openhouse and memory quilt event in May.Members Maribeth Christiansen and AbbyKayali spearheaded a community garden-ing proposal to United Way and received a$1,000 grant to develop a community gar-den at Greenwood Towers.

The Danforth Intergenerational Commit-tee community spirit has touched the lives ofmany during their first year in existence andwe look forward to supporting their intergen-erational events in the years to come.

This year, Danforth Collegiate’s Charityand Volunteer Committee has been

lucky enough to join TIGP in a variety ofactivities. Our year began with a very suc-cessful food drive organized by the studentsjust after Christmas break. Forty large box-es of food were collected for the residents atGreenwood Towers. The smiles and hugs aswe handed the residents their boxes really

let us know how much our efforts wereappreciated.

The next major event was euchre nightat Greenwood Towers. We met a lot of real-ly animated, kind residents as we all par-ticipated in a challenging game. Thoughmany of us didn’t know how to playeuchre, the adults patiently explained therules and played a fair game. The event

Russ Smith (left) unpots a plantfor Greenwood Towers gardens,with students from DanforthCollegiate working behind him.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

was so successful we continue to meet everyfew weeks.

One of our biggest projects this year wasplanting three gardens at Greenwood Tow-ers. We received funding from the UnitedWay to pay for the majority of expenses. OnMay 29 we planted beautiful perennials,annuals and herbs all around the buildingin a carefully arranged landscape. Morethan 40 adults and students came out to theevent. Digging, weeding and planting to-gether, we created a gorgeous garden thatwill unite the students and seniors for manyyears to come.

As president of the Charity and VolunteerCommittee, I have watched the differenceall of the activities this year have made inthe adults’ and students’ lives. It’s interest-ing to learn about somebody from a differ-ent age group and culture from oneself.Being able to help somebody who reallyneeds the extra hand, or just somebody totalk to, is very gratifying. I have learned somuch from all the people I met over thepast year and have formed some very mem-orable relationships. Cheers to an excellentyear, and a promising future!

Zoe von Aesch, Student

Danforth Collegiate

L to r, student Abby Kayali, Toronto’s Deputy Mayor Case Ootes, studentZoe von Aesch and Karen Barker from Toronto Housing Company reviewthe plans for the Danfoth Collegiate - Greenwood Towers gardening event.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

A great new partnership in bloom

Program Highlights

7

Greenwood Towers residents and To-ronto Housing Company staff have

welcomed the creative programmingand special events initiated by the Dan-forth Collegiate intergenerational com-mittee and TIGP this past school year.We believe the new TIGP communityoffice at Greenwood Towers will allowmore visibility for creating intergener-ational opportunities, and we look for-ward to forming a solid partnershipthat will continue for years to come.

Karen Barker, COU ManagerToronto Housing Company

Danforth Collegiate and Technical In-stitute once again become involved

with TIGP when we worked together to or-ganize a Community Service VolunteerFair for Grade 10 students.Once I began this, I found that there werea number of other activities that our stu-dents had planned through the Volunteerand Charity Committee.

The students worked together to accomplishsome remarkable events — the food drive forGreenwood Towers and the landscapingproject as well. The results were amazing.

Above left, Abby Kayali, Harvey Burt and Maribeth Christiansen, ready forplanting at Greenwood Towers. Above right, Sabera Bhyat and LindsayPlaskett working together on the gardening project.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

I was the staff advisor, but the students didthe organizing. They really did this on theirown and it was a privilege to help them.

The school, led by (former) Principal BobGooding, had been very supportive and wehope to continue next year to improve andexpand our activities.

Many students were involved and Ithank them for their support — particu-larly Zoe, Angela, Maribeth, Abby, Melissaand Tommy.

Harvey BurtStaff Advisor, Danforth Col legiate

East-West communityservice volunteerinformation fairs

The Ministry of Education requires thatsecondary-school students complete

40 hours of community service beforegraduating. TIGP staff met with HarveyBurt from Danforth Collegiate and MarioClementi, community health promoter,Toronto Housing Company, to develop acommunity service networking opportuni-ty for Grade 10 Danforth students.

Community agencies and organizationsserving seniors in East Toronto were invit-ed to promote their youth volunteer op-portunities at a community service volun-teer information fair in October. This one-stop “volunteer access point” provided avehicle for students to meet with agencyand organization staff to easily identifyvolunteer placements in their community.

Bill Moroz, head of guidance at CentralCommerce Collegiate, felt this modelwould benefit students at his school. LastApril students from all grades visited dis-plays from west-end agencies.

The response from agencies and organi-zations was excellent. The students atCentral Commerce Collegiate also ex-pressed an interest in developing an Inter-generational Committee to promote vol-unteerism at the school.

Student efforts yield amazing results

This happy group of planters getsdown and dirty at Greenwood Towerslast May, putting in three gardens atthe residence.

Community agencies and organi-zations set up displays and talkedto visiting students about volun-teer opportunities in their area.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

Program Highlights

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

8

With more than 720 studentswho come from a highly di-verse, multicultural background, Parkdale Junior/Sen-

ior School supports a partnership betweenhome, school and community to allow allstudents to reach their maximum potential.

Our goal is to create an environmentthat reflects the high expectations wemaintain and the value we place on pridein our school, a sense of belonging andpositive self-esteem.

To achieve this we rely heavily on the ex-pertise of our staff and the generosity andtime of our volunteers. Parkdale is fortu-nate to have a successful ongoing relation-ship with TIGP. This year in particular, ourstudents have benefitted from the time giv-en by a dedicated group of volunteers.

Last fall, I worked with a group of volun-teers from across Toronto, training them attwo workshops: “The Realities of Volunteer-ing in the Toronto District School Board”and “Reading Partner Techniques.” Beforeme were a group of professionals who hadbeen experts in their own fields and werenow willing to give their time and talent tofoster the growth and understanding ofyoung students.

The group was as diverse as the popula-tion of our school and their desire to con-tribute was immense. As I described theneeds of the students, the foundation oftheir empathy grew and one by one theirinterest was piqued to work at this particu-lar school. By the end of our two-day train-ing session, many of the volunteers asked tobe placed at Parkdale. We have neverlooked back since those days last October.

I would like to share with you some thoughtsfrom the students and volunteers that expresstheir feelings about this partnership:

Debra, Grade 2: “I likeit when Ms. C. comes tovisit me because she readsme a story. She has asmiley face.”Moses, Grade 2: “Ms.

C. makes me feel goodand she makes me laugh.I read with her and Ithink my reading is get-ting better.”Ethan, Grade 2:

“When I see Ms. C. I feelhappy. She takes us some-times on the computerand reads to us. Ms. C. is fun. She isnice to come and teach us new stuff. “From t he t eachers:“These volunteers are the best in the

world. They are everything you couldpossibly want and more. They give ofthemselves and their sharing comesfrom their heart.”

“The children love them and squealwith delight when they walk into theroom. They wait anxiously for the nextvisit.”From t he v olunteers:“I learned so much from the chil-

dren. I’ve learned about their culture,their religion and home life. I’m al-ways excited to come here and thehours fly by. I have a real soft spot forthe children but especially for theteachers. They are an amazing groupof dedicated professionals.”

“I love it here. It’s just wonderful.These kids are just so precious andthey have so much to offer.”

Frances FaganProjects Faci l i tator

Parkdale J r. /Sr. Publ ic School

Volunteers at Parkdale: home, schooland community come together

Parkdale Jr./Sr. Public School students supportedthe Elm Grove Living Centre’s annual festival.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Keeping the lines ofcommunication open

Lisa Lo, an adult student at City AdultLearning, has been volunteering withTIGP as a translator in our Chinese-

speaking program with May Birchard resi-dence seniors and Boulton Avenue Day Carechildren.

Lisa eagerly joined our organization, notonly to improve interaction between partici-pants in the program but to also improve herown skills.

She has proven herself to be an excellentfacilitator and support person for the Chi-nese seniors in the program. Many thanks!

Happy seniors at May Birchard greetkids from Boulton Ave. Day Care.

9

Program Highlights

The Queen Alexandra Senior PublicSchool ESL class is a contained recep-

tion class where students receive intensivelanguage programming.

All the students are new to the country.ESL teacher Ann Ng believes in the bene-fits of TIGP and how this program canhelp meet the language need of her stu-dents through personal interactions.

Our experience at the Queen’s

Retirement Residence

It was a positive experience for us to visitthe Queen’s Retirement Residence this year.We learned about the residents’ lives and un-derstood better the aging process. We feltgood about making other people’s day. Welearned a lot from doing activities like thespring collage, the Valentine wreath and thebingo game. We made origami paper cranesfor the seniors on Remembrance Day.

ESL Class 78

Queen Alexandra Sr. Publ ic School

Bryna Wasserman, community health promoter with the Toronto HousingCommunity, says Moore Place residents have a very unique partnershipwith students from Eglinton Jr. Public School. The first Wednesday ofeach month, the Grade 1 students visit the tenants for an intergen-erational program called “grandpal” activity time. “This program, in itssecond year, is a fun-filled hour of crafts and conversation between thestudents and seniors. Everyone looks forward to their next visit!” saysWasserman.

Forest Hill Place is a senior’s residencethat has been providing a variety of

exciting and interesting programs forseniors.

One of the most beneficial and enjoyedprograms is the intergenerational pro-gram with students from West PreparatoryJunior School.

The seniors and students partake in ac-tivities that include bowling, crafts, sing-a-longs, special performances and games.

One of the recent get-togethers was theSweet Heart Tea, where the seniors andstudents enjoyed conversation over teaand cookies, exchanged friendship cardsand danced the afternoon away.

Moore Place residents enjoy being ‘Grandpals’

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Two ‘Queens’ form aspecial partnership

Tea time highlight of activities for Forest HillPlace and West Preparatory Jr. Public School

I’m pleased to have been part of such awonderful program and to see all of thefriendships and growth of those involved.It is amazing what intergenerational pro-gramming can bring out in all of us.

Anastasia Howard

Humber College Placement Student

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

The Riverdale IntergenerationalClub invited seniors to a commu-nity lunch and band performance tocelebrate Seniors Month last June.

Luncheon celebratesSeniors Month

10

Program Highlights

Here’s a brief word of thanks forhelping us arrange communityservice opportunities for our Grade

7 and 8 students at Lord Dufferin School.At the Rekai Centre, many of the seniors

are in wheelchairs with limited physicalabilities. This hasn’t stopped the energy ofconversations between the two age groupsand we all look forward to these visits. Twoof the senior women have especially en-joyed sharing their talents in story tellingand art.

At the Donvale Apartments (TorontoHousing Company), the exchange be-tween students and seniors is all the moreexciting because our Chinese and Viet-namese-speaking students are using theirfirst language to communicate.

We have looked forward to challengingthe seniors to different board games. Theyin turn are teaching us how to play “Chi-nese chess” and a Chinese version of anAfrican game I knew as ‘wari’.

The Senior Stroke Survivors Club at Cen-tral Neighbourhood House was also veryconstructive in helping our students tobetter understand the needs of seniors in

particular, and of all people who need tofeel listened to and appreciated.

The 18 students looked forward to eachvisit and had many questions to ask aboutfuture opportunities for community serv-ice. I even had other students who wanted

to participate on a waiting list .

Thank you so much for your supportwith this work and the help from yourGeorge Brown students. As a teacherworking in a school community that isoften stereotyped as violent and de-pressing, I am only too happy to coun-ter that image with the reality of careand enthusiasm our students bring tothese experiences with seniors. I lookforward to continuing our programs.

Dinny Biggs

Projects Faci l i tator

Lord Dufferin J r. /Sr. School

Lord Dufferin students enjoy storytelling, games with community partners

Playing a game of snakes and ladders at the Donvale Centre.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Getting together for some challengingcheckers at the Donvale Centre.

Frank Chapell (above right),greenhouse volunteer, and OmariSmith, student at DanforthCollegiate, shared some timetogether at the TIGP open house.Danforth Collegiate is the newhome of TIGP.

Open house, new home

11

Students from Queen Alexandra Sr. School recently started theWoodgreen “Chat Club”, where seniors share their life experi-ences through interviews. Elizabeth Ritchie, the active older

adult program coordinator at Woodgreen Community Centre, feels“this will be a learning experience for both the seniors and students.Seniors have a lot to give and say.” The seniors enjoy talking and shar-ing historical stories of the past and vice versa, children have many val-uable experiences to share with the seniors. Teacher Marilyn Payne(above far right) said “this experience is enriching the lives of studentsby offering them an opportunity to improve their social and life skillsthrough creative language activities.”

Sedly Richmond, a former TIGP placement studentnow with St. Clair West Services for Seniors, hasdeveloped new programs with Rawlinson CommunitySchool.

Quilting has been a wonderful activity at the intergenerationalprogram with the Laughlen Centre residents and Heydon Park

Secondary School students. Together they have created a friendshipquilt, sharing their cultural values and interests. Students and theirgrandpals carefully selected pieces of felt and fabric for their quiltsquares. One group created a menorah for Hanukkah; another piecedtogether lettering for “Merry Christmas”. Throughout the year the bitsand pieces of plain felt were transformed into a masterpiece.

New Community PartnershipsCommunicating is the key!

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

New programs at St. Clair West

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Friendship quilt at Laughlen Centre

The Power of the Drumbeat

When the generations come together, magic can happen: thebeat of drums, inspiring words, a sculptural float, footpower peddling a bicycle band of children, adults and bal-

loons. People watched from balconies, traffic stopped at corners,and shopkeepers came outside to see the first annual March ofDrums to Stop the Cycle of Violence. This well orchestrated paradesummoned the universal heartbeat of the generations through theskyscraper canyons of downtown Toronto in late October.

TIGP is to be commended for bringing to-gether so many diverse partnerships to cele-brate and expand Child Abuse Awareness andPrevention Month. Each participating groupand individuals spanning four generationsgave drawings of hand-message visualiza-tions that will be placed inside “ReachingOut,” the first national monument to child abuse survivors. Thesevisualizations are very real contributions to creating a world thatchildren deserve to grow up in.

On behalf of the many participants in the Child Abuse SurvivorMonument Project, I want to thank TIGP for the March of Drumsand its handprint visualizations. We look forward to your continuedparticipation in our “Give Us a Hand Campaign” and our continu-ing partnership in your March of Drums. See more about themarch at www.ChildAbuseMonument.org .

Dr. Michael C. I rving

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSAdam Beck Jr.Alexander Muir/Gladstone Ave. Jr./Sr.All Saints SchoolAnnette Jr./Sr.Blake Jr.Bloordale Middle SchoolBruce Jr.Church Jr.Delta Alternative Sr.Downtown Alternative Jr.Duke of Connaught Jr.Earl Beatty Jr.Earl Haig Jr.Eglinton Jr.The Elms P.S.Essex Jr./Sr.Frankland Community SchoolGledhill Jr.Glen Ames Sr.Grace Jr.Greenholme P.S.Hawthorne II Bilingual Jr.Hillcrest Jr.Jackman Jr.Keele Jr.Kensington Jr.Kew Beach Jr.Kew Park Montessori Day SchoolKimberley Jr.Lord Dufferin Jr./Sr.McMurrich Jr.Montrose Jr.Morse Jr.Norway Jr.Pape Jr.Parkdale Jr.Queen Alexandra Sr.Queen Victoria Jr.Rawlinson Community SchoolRosedale Jr.Runnymede Jr./Sr.Ryerson Community Jr.Second Street SchoolSir Ernest MacMillanSwansea Jr./Sr.Valley Fields P. S.West Preparatory Jr.Winchester Jr.

Our Community Partners - 2000-2001SECONDARY SCHOOLSBickford CentreCentral Commerce CollegiateDanforth Collegiate & Technical InstituteHeydon Park SecondaryJones Avenue Adult New CanadianRiverdale Collegiate InstituteThistletown Collegiate InstituteToronto Urban Studies Centre

COLLEGESGeorge Brown CollegeHumber CollegeSeneca College

DAY CARE CENTRES/PARENT RESOURCE CENTRESBetter Beginnings N.O.W.Boulton Avenue Day CareClinton School Age Day CareJesse Ketchum Child Care CentreMarguerite Butt Day CareMontrose Day CareParent Resources - Gerrard and Moss ParkSpecial Moments Day CareSt. Lawrence Day CareSt. Mark’s Child Care Centre

MEMBERSHIPSOntario Gerontology AssociationOntario Health CoalitionUnited Generations OntarioVolunteer Centre of Toronto

AGENCIES/ORGANIZATIONSBarton PlaceBelmont HouseBlack Creek Community Health CentreCentral & Northern Etobicoke SupportServices (CANES)Canadian Head InjuryRehabilitation ServicesCastleview Wychwood Home for the AgedChristie Ossington Neighbourhood CentreCulturelinkCommunity MicroSkillsDevelopment CentreDelivering Care Volunteer Support forSeniors (D.C.V.S.)

Donvale Senior ApartmentsDufferin Mall Youth ServicesElm Grove Living CentreEthiopian SocietyEating for Two, Etobicoke Public HealthFairview Nursing HomeFellowship TowersFirst Portuguese Seniors’ CentreForest Hill PlaceFour Villages Community Health CentreGarden Court Nursing HomeGEM Neighbourhood AssociationGerrard Square Job CaféGrace Carmen CourtGrenadier Retirement ResidenceGreenwood Towers Tenants AssociationHellenic Home for the AgedHeritage Nursing HomeLaughlen CentreLoyola Arrupe Centre for SeniorsLincoln PlaceMay Birchard ApartmentsMay Robinson Tenants AssociationMeighan Retirement ResidenceMoore PlaceMt. Sinai HospitalNeedlework Guild of CanadaNorwood Nursing HomeOlder Women’s NetworkO’Neill CentrePortuguese Women 55+Queen’s Retirement ResidenceRekai CentreRichview LibraryR. J. Smith Seniors BuildingSt. Anne’s TowerSt. Christopher HouseSt. Clair West Services for SeniorsSt. Stephen’s Community HouseSpencer HouseStonegate C.H.C. Seniors CentreSunshine Centre for SeniorsToronto Housing Company Ltd.University Settlement Recreation CentreVersa CareWoodgreen Community CentreWoodgreen Job CentreYonge Street Mission

12