Arborgate School looking for seniors to be Grand Pals

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This article was published 12/11/2024 (224 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Arborgate School is bringing together seniors and Grades 5 to 6 youth in an effort to build community.

“It’s about building connection and building community and support a sense of belonging with our kiddos. And it gives the kids the opportunity to connect with an older adult,” said school social worker Joanne Vielfaure-Romaniuk.

The program runs for abut six weeks with a different theme every week, for example, one week the theme might be what education was like in the past or what career the Grand Pal had or where the senior has travelled. Once they learn about their grand pals every week the students do a write up or draw a picture on what they’ve learned. At the end of the program the Grand Pals and the students have a gala with coffee and tea and cake. Parents and grandparents are also invited.

“It’s a beautiful way to connect,” said Vielfaure-Romaniuk.

Vielfaure-Romaniuk said she decided to run the program, now in its second year, to infuse some of the curriculum the students are learning with making connections with seniors especially for children who don’t have grandparents or seniors in their lives.

“It really is a positive impact on our kids and our Grand Pals. It’s just been a really tremendous experience for our kiddos to have that connection.”

She hopes students will takeaway a connection with their Grand Pal by learning about the past and enhancing their communication skills. Vielfaure-Romaniuk also said It helps with the reduction of ageism experienced by the older adults.

To be a Grand Pal one must be over 55 years old and living in the Southeast region. Meetings are held every Wednesday between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. at the school. To register contact Vielfaure-Romaniuk at 204-424-5607.