In this episode, Bridging the Gap : Building Generational Connections we explore intergenerational programs that promote understanding and mutual respect among generations, contribute to age friendly communities and have proven to work in addressing ageism. In fact, intergenerational programs are valued and celebrated across Canada and internationally with events held on Intergenerational Day in Canada each year on June 1 and during Global Intergenerational Week which is recognized this year from April 24 - 30, 2025.

Join us to listen to our senior expert on intergenerational learning, Sharon Mackenzie, an educator by profession and an advocate of intergenerational connections who shares her many experiences, including the creation of the Meadow School Project, as well as her research and knowledge and informs us why intergenerational connections benefit both youth and seniors.

In this episode you will learn :

• How Sharon grew up with and fostered older adult mentors throughout her life and as a teacher.
• The initiation of the Meadow School Project, where she moved her classroom into a senior care home for 2 months
• The benefits of Intergenerational (IG) programs, including combatting isolation and improving senior’s health.
• New opportunities for IG programs in educational settings to learn about computers, language, share history and traditions.
• The importance of IG work in creating Age-friendly Communities.
• Key messages of inspiration, such as “Make community a verb not a noun”,
• “Aging is the one thing we all have in common” and “doing for doesn't always work, so doing with is better”.
• Intergenerational Day, how it was formed and it celebrated June 1
• Global Intergenerational Week (April 24 - 30) activities across the world.

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Episode Resources:

Websites:

i2i Intergenerational Society of Canada https://intergenerational.ca/

Generations Working Together https://generationsworkingtogether.org

GenerationsCo

Global Intergenerational Week

IG Day June 1st https://intergenerational.ca/ig-day/

Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (EAPO) https://eapon.ca/

EAPO: Intergenerational Resources https://eapon.ca/?s=intergenerational

Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse www.cnpea.ca

Bringing Together Seniors and Children in the Community, Intergenerational Guide: Families Canada

Intergenerational Programming Toolkit - City of Edmonton

Report and Documents

WHO Report Connecting generations: planning and implementing interventions for intergenerational contact

WHO: Age-Friendly World report https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/afp/intergenerational-project/

WHO: National Programmes for Age-Friendly Cities Guide https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240068698

University New Brunswick: IG Action Plan https://www.unb.ca/nbirdt/mektu/healthy-seniors-pilot-projects/intergenerational-ig-action-plan.html

NEWS How ECU Students and Local Seniors are Building Generational Connections through Photography - Emily Carr University (ECU) https://www.ecuad.ca/news/2024/students-seniors-building-generational-connections-through-photography

Battling social isolation with the power of intergenerational storytelling. Hospital News, March 14, 2020https://hospitalnews.com/battling-social-isolation-with-the-power-of-intergenerational-storytelling/

IG storytelling: BC Brain Wellness - Education https://www.bcbrainwellness.ca/education

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About Sharon Mackenzie

Sharon is truly a leader in building connections between generations. She is an Intergenerational Consultant, Writer, Researcher and the Executive Director of i2i Intergenerational Society that she founded in 2008 with the purpose of bringing youth and older adults together across Canada.

She was an educator for thirty plus years, from Kindergarten to University, and is dedicated to creating intergenerational learning opportunities within the community.

Sharon is a senior herself and has always looked to older adults for support and friendship in her personal life and work. That led her, almost 25 years ago, to initiate The Meadows School Project, a world-renowned compendium of intergenerational immersion research. Learn More

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CREDITS:

This podcast is Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Producer: Todd Miller, The Podcast Experts Podcast Coordinator: Lisa Widdifield Co-Host: Sherry Baker, Member of Aging Vibrantly Podcast Advisory Committee,

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