In November 2019, The Village at Canadore College received nearly $2 million dollars in funding through the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. Over five years, The Village Collective Impact Project (CIP) has worked collaboratively with seniors and Indigenous seniors (60+), their caregivers, stakeholders, regional community organizations and agencies to develop new models of healthy aging and inclusion efforts to improve the health outcomes of seniors and Indigenous seniors living in the Nipissing-Parry Sound districts.
The Village Collective is made up of 87 collaborating and partner organizations and several consultation organizations. The Collective has a shared vision for change in our region that “every senior and Indigenous senior is socially connected and engaged in their community.”
Our long-term goal is twofold: to use inter-cultural, inter- professional and inter-generational approaches that support an age-friendly and dementia-friendly inclusive community, and to improve our community’s connectedness to prevent isolation in the future.
The project team is focused on building successful, sustainable community partnerships, and has had three areas of focus to achieve its mission:
All the work of The Village CIP is supported by a team of students called Community Connectors. The engagement of the students ensures that we build capacity in our community and make sustainable changes in the community that help improve services for seniors in the region. This work has proven to be a reciprocal relationship where seniors, in turn, are helping to better prepare students for the workforce.
In the fall of 2021, in-person programming for seniors began on campus at The Village and at the West Parry Sound Campus. These include VON exercise classes, student-led walking groups, VON exercise classes, Learning to Live Fit, speaker series, pickle ball and drop-in social times. To see a full schedule of programming click here.
Students describe their work with seniors as a meaningful experience that prepared them for the workforce. Seniors report that they cherish their time on campus and enjoy learning and sharing with the students. Click here to view the latest Annual Report
With the help of over 1500 students, we have supported 30 organizations and 5300 seniors in the Nipissing Parry Sound region. To see the latest project data, click here to see our infographic.
See The Village Collective Impact Project – Collective Impact Plan for more project details
Read the Village Collective Impact Report
Data to consider from the Nipissing Parry Sound District 1:
Research shows that regular social contact reduces the risks and anxiety associated with being isolated. That is why The Village was happy to end 2021 with its doors open, welcoming the community back. The Village launched two programs in November – an indoor walking program, led by students, and an exercise program run in partnership with the VON.
“It’s great. I think we need to be organized with our exercising or else we just do not do it at home,” said Rona Currie who participates in both programs. “It’s nice to come out to be with our friends, get out of the house and socialize, as well as exercise.”
“I need to come out and do some exercise. I don’t do very much at home, so I need this, in the winter particularly,” said Judy Armstrong. “I need the social activity too.”
Working with older adults is a great learning experience for the students too.
“The highlight of working with older adults for me is getting to learn so much about the perspective of an older adult,” said Jazmin Foreshew, a Canadore Behavioural Science student. “Doing research about the needs and interests of the older members of our community has really made me realize how few differences – but how many rich differences – there are between an older adult and a college student. We all want to learn, be with our friends, have meaningful experiences, and feel both safe and included. It has also given me a much more educated perspective on aging!”
“I have realized that working with the elderly is a very enriching experience for me and even for my family,” said Social Service Worker student Cenayda Serrano Vergara. “First, because I have learned a great deal about very important issues of the human being. I have known more closely the needs of life at this age. I have grown in the knowledge of care and the best way to work with this population. I have had the happiness of giving my best to all these special people who need my support.”
“The thing I’m impressed with the most is the students,” said Laurel Brooks. “We meet them every week, so it’s like meeting our friends. Most of us are living alone. The part of the program with the kids – I call them kids – is we feel young being with them. But, they’re also learning something that is very vital for our future.”
“It takes a village to take care of senior ladies,” said Penny McCracken, a regular participant in the seniors’ program.
