Students for Seniors

About the Program

PLEASE NOTE - THE STUDENTS FOR SENIORS PROGRAM HAS UNFORTUNATELY BEEN PUT ON HOLD DUE TO THE LACK OF FUNDING. ALL STUDENTS WHO HAVE REGISTERED PRIOR TO APRIL 1, 2012 ARE STILL ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE SFS PROGRAM (AND WHO WILL EARN THEIR 40 VOLUNTEER HOURS IN THIS FISCAL YEAR) ARE STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE ANNUAL EDUCATION GRANT DRAW, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN AUGUST 2012. PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS OF THE EDUCATION GRANT WILL ALSO BE HONOURED.

The Students for Seniors™ Program provides high-school students with the opportunity to volunteer in non-profit LTC homes, building an intergenerational connection between youth and seniors.

The Program provides students with a rewarding way to meet their community service time requirements and helps foster a better understanding and respect between generations. In addition, students have the opportunity to receive an education grant of $1,000 for post-secondary studies, with a matching donation to the LTC home where they volunteered.

The Program was developed in collaboration with Jasmine Nihmey-Vasdi, a former high-school student at Ashbury College in Ottawa. Jasmine recognized, at an early age, that there are so many benefits when the young interact with the elderly.

Many residents in LTC homes are isolated due to an absence of family or friends, and rely on volunteers for companionship. Seniors typically connect well with student volunteers, whether the student is simply visiting, reading, playing games, or assisting in beauty care.

Students for Seniors, which is a 2010 approved project under the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors Program, strives to:

Encourage the integration of youth and seniors through an intergenerational connection;
Support the volunteer needs of LTC homes;
Help high school students meet their 40-hour-minimum community service requirement;
Generate understanding, compassion, and social well-being;
Increase awareness of the needs of seniors.

The Prosperity Fund has secured the participation of eight non-profit LTC homes for the Students for Seniors Program:

The Glebe Centre Inc., Ottawa
950 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON
613-238-2727
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St. Patrick's Home of Ottawa, Ottawa
2865 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON
613-731-4660
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Garry J. Armstrong Long Term Care Home, Ottawa
200 Island Lodge Road, Ottawa, ON
613-789-5100
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Carleton Lodge, Nepean
55 Lodge Road, Ottawa, ON
613-825-3763
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Peter D. Clarke Centre, Ottawa
9 Meridian Place, Ottawa, ON
613-274-2671
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Centre d'accueil Champlain, Vanier
275 Perrier Avenue, Ottawa, ON
613-746-3543
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Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre, Ottawa
1750 Russell Road, Ottawa, ON
613-526-7170
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The Salvation Army Ottawa Grace Manor, Ottawa
1156 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON
613-722-8025
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Some 30 students have registered to date and are being partnered with LTC homes. A number of them have already been volunteering in LTC homes for over a year. Share in their reflections.

For more information
Student reflections

For More Information

The Students for Seniors coordinator is Olivia Jacobs.

High School Representatives

Eva Bruketa – Ashbury College

Student Reflections

Roxanne Griffith: Grade 10

“Ashbury Students for Seniors was really a great experience for me. I volunteered at St. Patrick’s Home, which was really rewarding. I learned a lot about how to talk with seniors, and found it interesting to socialize with the residents as they all have interesting stories. We would bring the residents down to the tea, and serve them tea or coffee and some snacks. The serving part was sometimes difficult as some of the residents are diabetic, and shouldn’t have too much sugar. Once I was done serving, I would sit and chat with some of the residents who didn’t have family visiting.”

Jasmine Nihmey Vasdi: Grade 11

Being a volunteer at a long-term care home was a truly rewarding experience. I volunteered every Sunday and helped with the organization of the ‘tea party’ and socializing with the residents. Because I volunteered every week I was able to establish connections with the residents and listen to the stories of their pasts. I have found volunteering to be a great way to earn my volunteer hours and such a valuable experience that I have surpassed the amount of mandatory volunteer hours. I strongly recommend volunteering at long- term care homes to all high school students that would appreciate an experience similar to mine.

Alessandra Cinotti, Grade 11

Ashbury Students For Seniors was an eye-opening experience and a great way to receive community service hours. It was a joy to socialize with the residents. I believe that with my participation in such a program my interpersonal skills have improved and the ability to learn from wiser, elderly people was priceless. Most of my hours were spent preparing various activities for the elderly. Preparing for these activities required care and a level of maturity. I would recommend the program to anyone that enjoys socializing, talking, and entertaining people in a courteous fashion. Visiting the elderly creates special bonds and there is the chance of meeting amazing people who enjoy and appreciate your company.