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Community Initiatives
LINKages is proud to be part of the community building process and to help foster the power of relationships.
Introduction
Working together, young people and older adults gain appreciation and respect for one another while benefiting the community. Our LINK project has increased social connectivity between generations and is creating vibrant communities such as our Silver Surfers in Bowness Community.
The LINKages' Silver Surfers program has received the Together We Can! award from United Way. The video below, commentated by Darrel Janz, provides information about the award:
LINK (Linking Intergenerational Needs and Knowledge) Overview
Over the years, LINKages has developed a reputation as an expert in the delivery of intergenerational programs (IGPs) and we see the opportunity to advance our vision and impact more youth and seniors. LINKages has been approached by a number of senior and youth serving organizations to facilitate training and support the organization as they begin to develop their own IGPs. There has been a wide range of requests from Girl Guides to Mount Royal College Student residents.
Linking Intergenerational Needs and Knowledge (LINK) will increase the capacity of organizations and individuals to respond to the needs of the community, mobilize civic participation, bring together agencies to create opportunities for respectful dialogue, develop new partnerships, and become a leader in the community for intergenerational programs. LINKages aims to raise awareness about the value of connecting generations and develop the internal capacity of community members and organizations with a “Train the Trainer” focus.
Developing a training module will strengthen LINKages’ organizational capacity and enable us to transfer our knowledge and expertise to other community agencies.
Collaborations
With LINKages recent success in working in rural Alberta communities we have learned how to teach others and have promoted the values of this practice throughout our local community and beyond. Over the last two years LINKages has moved beyond just a program provider and is now an expert in the field of intergenerational practice that helps to build community capacity and bridge the gap between knowledge, information and implementation.
Here are a few of our current community initiatives:
- Silver Surfers - recipient of the United Way Together We Can! award
- Rural Initiatives
- Community Training
- Digital Story Telling
With LINKages recent success in working in rural Alberta communities we have learned how to teach others and have promoted the values of this practice throughout our local community and beyond. Over the last two years LINKages has moved beyond just a program provider but now an expert in the field of intergenerational practice that helps to build community capacity and bridge the gap between knowledge, information and implementation.
LINKages is positioned to become a leader in intergenerational programs. Over the last few years we have developed best practices and expertise to provide training workshops in Calgary and throughout rural Alberta. Linking Intergenerational Needs and Knowledge (LINK) will enhance our organizational capacity and develop new partnerships in the future.
Silver Surfers
Members of Bowness Seniors and High School meet Friday afternoons using computers as a tool of engagement. The interpersonal connections that developed following the Silver Surfers program has changed how youth and seniors relate to each other.
Rural Initiatives
These are challenging times for many Albertan’s, especially those that are considered vulnerable. However it is in these difficult times that true opportunities arise and LINKages has been successful in replicating our program delivery model and teach rural communities and agencies how to deliver their own intergenerational programs. We have developed successful tools based on best practices that promote strong and vibrant communities and help young and old stay engaged and participate in family and community life.
Community Training
Developing an intergenerational program and having it be successful is not an easy task. There are numerous factors involved; factors that go beyond simply getting the two generations into the same room. Do the students or youth know how to properly handle issues such as speaking to someone who is hard of hearing? Will the seniors and youth be at the meeting place on time? How are they being transported? Are the relationships that are developing healthy and beneficial?
Effective strategies for providing quality intergenerational programs are designed to give practitioners a set of tools and ideas that they can use to build successful programs. They are based on research and observe best and promising practices resulting in a collection of proven strategies, techniques and program structures.
Please visit the Resources page for toolkits and information on how to develop a successful intergenerational program. And of course, the extensive knowledge of the LINKages staff is available to aid you in your efforts. We can be reached at (403) 249-0853.
 Girl Guides learning how to best interact with seniors |