By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
One thing the Town of Kingsville has been trying to accomplish is bridging the gap between generations through the creation of intergenerational programming.
Its administration is one step closer to being able to achieve that goal, thanks to its successful application to a $25,000 Seniors Community Grant from the province, the maximum available funding through this program.
According to the province, the Seniors Community Grant Program has supported over 1,800 projects in communities across Ontario since 2018.
Last Wednesday afternoon, Essex MPP Anthony Leardi outlined the details of the grant during a special announcement hosted at the Kingsville Carnegie Arts and Visitors Centre.
Leardi congratulated Kingsville on being successful in this grant application, which will go a long way to keep seniors connected through a variety of meaningful ways.
“We want to keep our seniors active and connected, because social isolation is public enemy number one,” Leardi said, reiterating a motto Minister of Seniors and Accessibility and MPP for Scarborough North, Raymond Cho, often shares.
Part of the ways to keep seniors active and connected is through a Seniors Community Grant.
The funding will support the Kingsville Community Centre offer a Drum Fit program, with location to be determined.
Kingsville Community Centre Chairperson Tom Harmon is looking forward to learning more about the program, noting it sounds loud.
“We have put some feelers out, and we are getting an excellent response to this Drum Fit [program]. So, we think this is just going to be an excellent program.”
The Art Society of Kingsville (ASK) will host the Art Bridge program that will connect seniors with youth through art. ASK Chairperson, Wendy Durante, noted that while the details of this program are being fine-tuned, it will be hosted through the Kingsville Carnegie Arts and Visitors Centre starting this fall. She anticipates it will be a two-hour program running for 13-weeks that will include arts and storytelling.
It will be designed to foster meaningful connections between youth and seniors through creativity and storytelling.
“At its heart, Art Bridge is about building bridges between generations, between experiences, and between voices that deserve to be heard and celebrated,” Durante said. “We believe the arts have a unique power to unite people, and through Art Bridge, we look forward to nurturing shared expression, mutual understanding, and lasting relationships in our community.”
She offered her sincere thanks on behalf of ASK for being selected as a partner on this grant application, and for the incredible opportunity.
“We are excited to witness the imagination, insight, and connection that this program will inspire,” she added. “We are honoured and really excited to receive this support.”
The Essex County Library will host the Interviewing a Grandparent initiative.
“I want to see the interviews,” Leardi said excitedly. “I am looking forward to seeing these interviews and I am going to watch them all.”
Other activities planned include yoga and skill swaps.
“We have a great working relationship with our MPP Anthony Leardi, who I know goes to battle in Queen’s Park on multiple revenue streams,” Kingsville Mayor Dennis Rogers said.
Rogers also spoke of how this grant will not only connect generations, but is connecting community groups.
Connecting generations is something that has always been near and dear to his heart, as someone who grew up with a close and important relationship with his grandparents.
“I am very excited to see this program move forward. It is going to provide a tremendous amount of value for residents of all ages,” Rogers concluded.
Information on these programs will be available at the www.kingsville.ca/programs, in addition to other town-operated programs, such as an intergenerational tea on November 29.
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