Bridging the Gap

 Laurier Macdonald High School students in St. Leonard brought creativity, laughter and companionship to local seniors as they launched The Generation Bridge, a new intergenerational initiative that encourages students to give back to their extended community.

Developed by Mr.  Lacroce, in collaboration with Camelia Violeta Mocanu, Responsable des loisirs at Jardin D’Italie, the initiative connected students with seniors through shared activities and conversation. With community connections at Jardin D’Italie and CHSLD Dante, the program created opportunities for students to learn from older generations while contributing their time and talents.

During the opening gathering, students joined seniors for an art therapy session, sharing a creative experience that encouraged self-expression and connection. Joey the magician welcomed and entertained the crowd, bringing moments of laughter and wonder to students and seniors alike.

The gathering gave students an opportunity to put kindness into action and discover how a simple conversation or shared activity can help build a relationship. “My hope is that our students and seniors leave these visits feeling a little more connected and looking forward to seeing each other again,” said Mr. Lacroce. “Sometimes, simply taking the time to sit beside someone, listen to their story and share a laugh can mean so much. Those are the moments we want to create.”