This past Saturday evening (June 8), volunteers for the Seniors for Kids Society celebrated another year at their Volunteer Appreciation gathering.

Lynn Noble, Program Coordinator for Seniors For Kids Society shares they just wrapped up their 21st year of building beneficial relationships between seniors and youth within Cochrane and the surrounding area. "June is our largest event and we like to do a volunteer appreciation dinner for all of our school volunteers, as well as, our community partners and sponsors during Seniors' Week."

Thanks to over fourty senior volunteers, the 'Grandparent Program' is offered in a number of Cochrane/Rocky View county schools and provides mentorship to youth who do not have a grandparent living in close proximity.

Joyce, Nat, and Lynn Noble.

Last year in the Cochrane community over 6000 volunteer hours were logged, and Noble shares they are on target to do the same this year. "It is a wonderful program; we have volunteers who have been with us for just a couple of months mentoring students and we have a couple on board who have been with us for the full 21 years who go into the schools every week to meet their students."

Not only is the program beneficial to the youth, but the seniors as well. "A lot of our seniors who have joined our program are missing connections to the community when they retire, and sometimes they become isolated because they don't have a family connection either. So the program really is a win-win for both demographics, the students and the seniors, within our community."

Generally, the program is offered to students in grades two to twelve that meet the organization's mandate, shares Noble, and is only school-based. During the allotted time set at the school, the matches can partake in a variety of activities. "What is unique about our program is we have a Seniors For Kids facilitator that is onsite during program time for the seniors when they arrive. Everything is organized for them, so they can just show up and have fun. I think that is why a lot of our seniors stay in our program for so long. We do everything from visiting, organized crafts, board games, and environmental projects. There is a lot of planning that goes into our programs, and we find through that our success rate is so positive for the senior and students."

Providing an intergenerational relationship, especially for students who may not have a grandparent close by, provides an incredible value. "We just did our post surveys for the school year, and to hear the feedback from the schools and parents about the difference this program makes in the community and to their families and the students is incredibly heartwarming. With so many families moving in from different countries, they just don't have that intergenerational connection anymore and that is missed."

Operating a wait list in every school, Noble shares the biggest barrier of growing the program is a financial one. "We are a not-for-profit so anytime we can receive more funding is great. We really appreciate the support we get from our existing sponsors, but I do find the demand for our program is growing. I get a lot of calls from other communities and other provinces that want to learn about our program and how we run. I always like to share our information and would love to see this program run everywhere."

While Noble does the bulk of the screening for senior volunteers in June and September, she says those interested are welcome to contact her anytime throughout the year.

Besides the Grandparent program, Seniors for Kids runs a couple of other programs. Sixteen students from Mitford School and Cochrane Christian Academy volunteer in a program in partnership with the Bethany Care Centre, and anywhere between 25 and 30 St. Timothy High School students volunteer at Seniors on the Bow throughout the school year. Seniors for Kids runs in thirteen different venues and if finances allow, would love to expand. 

If you would like to learn more about the program, sponsor or make a cash donation, you can do so by going HERE.