Century House is seeking seniors (and youth) to get involved in intergenerational projects that will appeal to a variety of interests.
The association received a grant from the New Horizons for Seniors’ program to host a Meeting in the Middle community-based intergenerational leadership project. Through Meeting in the Middle, local seniors and youth will be working on five projects – Culinary Pursuits; Art Outside; Pay it Forward; Naturally Fun Adventurers; and Technology.
Seniors aged 50 and up and youths aged 13 to 18 are now being sought for some of the projects.
Pay It Forward participants will join forces to create New Westminster’s first Pay it Forward Day in early 2019. The project’s leaders visualize a day that “moves beyond kindnesses between strangers” to new relations that help build a stronger community.
An information session on Pay it Forward is taking place on Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Century House. People who are interested in taking part must sign up at the front desk of Century House or at 604-519-1066.
“The possibilities are wide open,” said a notice about the Pay it Forward Day project. “We will share ideas and approaches at the information session, so you can determine whether this project is for you. We will follow up with the first planning session at the end of September.”
Through the Technology Project, youths and seniors will learn how to take video and make videos. Participants will be videoing the four other Meeting in the Middle projects and producing videos to show the public. (All equipment is being provided.)
Anyone interested in taking part should pre-register at the Century House front office at 620 Eighth St. or call 604-519-1066 for more information. A limited number of spaces are available for some of the projects.
Robyn McGuinness, the city’s manager of seniors and youth services, said Meeting in the Middle is a leadership project that provides opportunities to bridge generations through planning and learning together. With Century House and the New West Youth Centre being co-located in Moody Park, she said the city is in a unique position to facilitate this project through Youth and Seniors Services.
The city believes individuals who get involved in this type of programming benefit in a number of ways, including: exchanging knowledge, values and skills; developing relationships between generations through learning; learning together and sharing experiences; sharing ideas, perspectives, and attitudes; mentoring relationships where youth mentor seniors and seniors mentor youth; establishing friendships; increasing cultural awareness between generations; and having fun and contributing to community.
