Introduction
Year One (2008)
Year Two/Three (2009-2010)
Project Sustainability
Project Transferability
Training Seminar Documents
Rural Alberta Brochure
Rural Alberta News Release
Our Program Partners
Introduction
In Aging Together – Planning for the Future, a discussion guide published by Alberta Community Development, Alberta demographic projections forecast that, by 2016, an estimated 497,000, or 14% of the population, will be seniors – an amount almost double the senior population in 2000. This research concludes that healthy aging and supportive communities are critical for successfully addressing the impact of the aging population in Alberta (p. 16). This guide is also the result of a discussion paper noting that while Calgary and Edmonton had the largest number of seniors (60%); it is the rural regions that have the highest proportion of seniors in their populations, including Camrose (20%), Wetaskiwin (17%), Drumheller (16%) and many towns have 30% or more seniors. The concentration of seniors in rural Alberta leads to the interest in connecting generations and this is substantiated the number of inquiries that we receive from community groups in rural Alberta. Five years ago, LINKages Society offered IGP training seminars through FCSS in Coaldale, resulting in 5 programs that involve youth and seniors. Since 1994, LINKages has developed and operated a number of successful IGPs in Calgary – now, we intend to further our IGP expertise so that we help make intergenerational programming thrive throughout Alberta! We will enhance our Intergenerational Program Management and Skills Training Seminar for communities in rural Alberta. Our role will be to create partnerships and provide resources to rural regions and we will: 1) Establish partnerships with youth and senior serving agencies in targeted communities who see the value of IGPs as a natural extension of existing services they offer within the community. 2) Develop and deliver customized 1-2 day workshops to cover all elements of an IGP start-up, implementation and evaluations tailored to the specific needs and interests of each community. 3) Provide participants with LINKages’ Program and Resource Manual - a comprehensive guide to creating and implementing successful IGPs that can be adapted to meet specific regional needs. 4) Provide one year of follow-up consultation services to facilitate program development and to provide membership to a network of IGP practitioners for further collaboration and learning.
Year One (2008): Strategic Planning & Rural Program Development Year One of the project would be used to bring specificity to the ways and means of implementing this project – a strategic plan will be developed to clarify the objectives, tactics and evaluation tools necessary to ensure a successful project. In the first six months of Year One, we will assess our current training methods and evaluate how to best restructure our training techniques, materials and presentation format. In the remaining six months, we plan to offer 2 workshops for approximately 20 participants, based on an assessment of appropriate rural regions. Lastly in Year One, we will evaluate communications tools (e.g. web) to enhance knowledge, collaboration and learning that could lead to a network of IGP practitioners.
Year Two/Three (2009-10): Rural Training & Community Development Careful evaluation of the progress, outcomes and stakeholder feedback in Year One will be incorporated into the strategic development for Year Two. Development costs would be restricted to improvements, community research and assessments, and seminar implementation and program expenses reflect our goals to host a total of six training workshops between Year Two and Three. During this two-year period, we will promote our Intergenerational Program Management and Skills Training workshops to select rural communities. Also, we will collaborate with local organizations, agencies and individuals to ensure that their specific needs, realities and interests are reflected and respected. Upon completion of these training workshops, participants are expected to develop their IGPs as they see fit (with volunteers or with their own funding) and we would provide consultation services for 1 year, to support each region in this process.
Project Sustainability: The Future of IGPs in Alberta The success of LINKages’ IGPs is because of the relationships formed between our staff and our program partners – the schools, community groups and seniors’ organizations. In an IGP case study, Wilcox states that “where programs have endured, professionals have often provided coordination, ongoing guidance, and encouragement” (as cited in Tice, 1985, p. 5)[3]. Our program staff offer skills, knowledge and experience to provide much-needed support to the students - as mentors, educators, counselors and program facilitators. By continually refining these skills, they offer the support necessary to develop a successful IGP.
Project Transferability: Supporting Rural Communities in Alberta Since 1994, LINKages Society has helped 2,784 young people connect with 1,412 seniors in Calgary and in the past year, we provided training and support to 356 young people, who visited with 180 seniors. We bring youth and seniors together through structured programs that benefit both age groups – this new project is intended to entice Alberta’s rural communities to consider the merits of IGPs and to consider the possibilities for connecting generations in their regions. Return to top Training Seminar Documents The following four documents are examples of what is given to those in rural Alberta that are interested in becoming involved with IGPs. These should provide something of an introduction as to how and why the seminars are important. IGP Management Training & Skills Seminar - in PDF format
Bringing Teens and Seniors Together - in PDF format
Applicant Information - in PDF format
Workshop Outline - in PDF format
Rural Alberta Brochure A brochure that provides information on the Rural Alberta Training Initiative. Rural Alberta Brochure - in PDF format
Rural Alberta News Release A news release detailing how certain funds were distributed to different foundations (including LINKages). News Release Jan. 24, 2008 - in PDF format
Our Program Partners - 2007-08 & 2008-09
Rural Community Development - IGP Training: - Camrose, AB
- Cardston, AB
- Cochrane, AB - MRD Rockyvies
- Grande Prairie
- Lethbridge, AB
- Peace River, AB
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