inclusive communities where members care for and support one another
Join us in our mission!
Hello
Welcome
Canadian Alliance for Intergenerational Living was founded in June 2023 by Bonita Paquette. Learn what inspired Bonita to launch this venture that leverages intergenerational living to address two social challenges faced by Canadians starting their post-secondary education and those entering their golden years.
About Us
Background
Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision and Mission
Canadian Alliance for Intergenerational Living was founded in June 2023 by Bonita Paquette. As step-mother to a university student relocating to Ontario for her studies, Bonita has witnessed the housing challenges experienced by post-secondary students across the country. At the same time, Canada's seniors' homes have faced severe staffin
Canadian Alliance for Intergenerational Living was founded in June 2023 by Bonita Paquette. As step-mother to a university student relocating to Ontario for her studies, Bonita has witnessed the housing challenges experienced by post-secondary students across the country. At the same time, Canada's seniors' homes have faced severe staffing shortages over the past several years, which was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has led to social isolation and in some cases, insufficient care for residents.
Inspired by the amazing work being done in the Netherlands, France and the US to support inclusive, intergenerational living, Bonita saw an opportunity to bring together post-secondary students and seniors to address student housing challenges while creating opportunities for seniors to mentor students and contribute to and feel valued in the wider community.
Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision and Mission
Our vision is to establish intergenerational communities across Canada where the strengths and contributions of all community members are valued.
Our mission is to promote intergenerational living and engagement across Canada while helping address the nationwide housing challenges faced by post-secondary students.
Our Values
Our Vision and Mission
Our Values
We strive to reflect the following values in all that we do:
- Inclusion - seniors are viewed as valued members of society who can contribute significantly to the wider community.
- Respect - we listen to the perspectives of all members of our community and respond with empathy, courtesy, and fairness.
- Compassion - we aim to create an environmen
We strive to reflect the following values in all that we do:
- Inclusion - seniors are viewed as valued members of society who can contribute significantly to the wider community.
- Respect - we listen to the perspectives of all members of our community and respond with empathy, courtesy, and fairness.
- Compassion - we aim to create an environment where community members care for and have compassion for one another.
- Community - we aim to create an environment where all members of the community live in harmony and we seek opportunities for seniors’ communities to engage with the wider community.
- Fun - we foster a spirit of fun through engaging experiences.
Programming
Inspiration and Need
For seniors who find it increasingly difficult or impractical to "age in place", supportive / assisted living is an alternative to consider. However, staffing shortages in many of these facilities across the country limit the opportunities for residents to stay active and continue to interact with the wider community and with younger generations.
There is a growing movement in support of intergenerational living around the world. Projects in Europe, the US and Asia are recognizing the need for better solutions to existing senior care systems that involve intergenerational living.
At the same time, Canadian post-secondary students are facing challenges finding affordable housing options. Soaring rents are hitting university towns, creating a housing crisis which has been in the news on a regular basis. As at June 2023, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Canada ranges from $1,632 in Calgary, Alberta to $2,095 in Guelph, Ontario and $2,045 in Victoria, BC.
Intergenerational Living Projects
We are joining the growing movement in support of intergenerational living by working with participating seniors' homes to match them with post-secondary students. These students will be assigned living accommodations within the assisted living residence for a one-year school term at a heavily subsidized rental rate in exchange for 30 hours / month of volunteer time within the residences.
Our inaugural project will aim to place 2 students from a post-secondary institution in Calgary, Alberta with a local seniors' home for the 2024/2025 school year.
Silvera for Seniors Intergenerational Living Project
Pilot project in Calgary
Affordable housing in exchange for spending time with seniors
Affordable housing in exchange for spending time with seniors
In September 2024, 2 Calgary-based post-secondary students will move into a local Silvera for Seniors residence in Calgary to live among the senior residents for 8 months.
Affordable housing in exchange for spending time with seniors
Affordable housing in exchange for spending time with seniors
Affordable housing in exchange for spending time with seniors
The monthly rent paid by the students will be a nominal amount. In exchange, the students will spend 30 hours a month engaging with the senior residents.
70% of student engagement with seniors will be through structured programming, leaving 30% for organic engagement with residents through day-to-day interactions.
Structured programming
Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunities
Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunities
The students selected for this program will bring their own distinctive skills, abilities and passions to the resident community, and they can engage in structured volunteer hours performing a variety of activities from the following program series:
1. Artist in Residence
2. Athlete in Residence
3. Scholar in Residence
Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunities
Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunities
Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunities
We're always looking for new partners to collaborate with on projects and events. If your organization shares our values and mission, let's work together to make a positive impact.
We are currently seeking partners and sponsors to support the 2024 / 2025 Intergenerational Living Project. Contact bonita@intergenliving.ca for more information.
Thank you to Silvera for partnering with us to deliver this pilot intergenerational living project in Westview Town Suites, one of their supportive living communities. Silvera is a trusted provider of housing and services for independent older adults for over 60 years, and is recognized as a leader in intergenerational engagement for their residents.
Thank you so much to our post-secondary partners, SAIT and Bow Valley College, and their amazing students for helping us to develop the tools and infrastructure necessary to make this pilot project a success.
Thank you to the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program for funding our pilot program. Their generous support will enhance the lives of older adults living in the participating community while providing affordable housing options for post-secondary students.
How Can We Help?
Support and connections
Canadian Alliance for Intergenerational Living is passionate about creating communities where students and older adults can interact and learn from one another on a daily basis. Here are some of the ways we can help with your intergenerational living journey:
- Identifying potential post-secondary partners and students for assisted / supportive living seniors' homes that have vacancies and an interest in intergenerational living
- Assistance with assessing your organizational readiness prior to launching your intergenerational living projects
- Connecting assisted living seniors' homes with other homes, students and young people who have participated in intergenerational living programming, to share their experiences
Fee-for-service projects
If you would like more in-depth assistance with setting up your intergenerational living project, Canadian Alliance for Intergenerational Living offers fee-for-service solutions, ranging from full-service project services to one-off consulting and software licensing solutions.
If your organization has a need for in-depth solutions, please contact us by email at bonita@intergenliving.ca. We would be happy to discuss your unique situation and see how we may be of service.
Resources
GoodLinks Intergenerational Practice
GoodLinks Intergenerational Practice
GoodLinks Intergenerational Practice
GoodLinks promotes intergenerational work across Canada. They do this by facilitating intergenerational programs, offering training to help organizations to develop intergenerational programs and by offering consulting services in the intergenerational field.
Generations United
GoodLinks Intergenerational Practice
GoodLinks Intergenerational Practice
Generations United improves the lives of children, youth and older adults through intergenerational programs, policies and strategies.
CORE Alberta
GoodLinks Intergenerational Practice
CORE Alberta
Healthy Aging CORE Alberta is a knowledge hub connecting organizations that support and advance independent living for older Albertans. CORE Alberta has an intergenerational community of practice.