Halifax, Nova Scotia: “A group of Grade 1 Joseph Howe School students recently joined Northwood seniors for a hands-on project that helped bridge a wide generation gap. The 18 youngsters from Carmel Rooney’s class worked with artist/facilitator Dorota Forfa and a group of seniors with the help of Northwood recreation programmer Renee Patterson. The students and seniors created a unique tile sculpture whose hollow 
centre houses audio featuring snippets from interviews between the children and seniors.” Click here to read more.
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island: “The Learning Elders Arts Program (L.E.A.P.)… is a project-based initiative designed to provide Island seniors with the opportunity to learn various artistic disciplines from local artists. This program is based on the belief that the arts will greatly enhance the lives of seniors.” Click here to read more about seniors involved in a “full-fledged ukulele revival,” learning how to make soapstone carvings, and creating memory books.
EngAGE supports inter-generational programs of all kinds, so we were pleased to learn about this one in Michigan. The Dexter Leader reports: “Connie Weber, a Chelsea resident and award-winning teacher at Emerson Elementary School in Scio Township, is coordinating a new program for her pupils and older adults called ‘InterGen Tech.’ In this pilot after-school class, a dozen pupils from fifth to eighth grade will each be paired with 12 
Washtenaw County seniors to collaborate one-on-one for digital learning. Teachers will be on site providing support, ideas, and directions.” 
“The Friendship Line is a suicide prevention and mental health hotline for seniors. Last year, they got 18,000 calls. But they also make outgoing calls to remind elders to take their medication or to offer emotional support . . . They made 40,000 of those calls in 2011. The line was started by Patrick Arbore, in 1973, because he didn’t like the way seniors were treated.” 
