Intercultural programs draw south side seniors to Twin Brooks
An innovative program spearheaded by a Twin Brooks resident is attracting seniors from numerous neighbourhoods in southwest Edmonton.
Ida Richards started the Seniors Innovation Fund after hearing about Age Friendly Edmonton’s $5,000 grants for senior-focused community projects.
The longtime resident has always been active in her neighbourhood, examining traffic safety and serving for a time as president of the Twin Brooks Community League.
“To my knowledge, there wasn’t anything for seniors,” Richards said.
After receiving $2,500 from Age Friendly Edmonton, plus an inkind $2,500 credit toward use of the community league’s new hall, Richards hosted the first Seniors Innovation Fund event in December of 2015.
“One thing that has been very rewarding is to see how many people have come forward with their own passions and skills and interests,” Richards said.
For seniors in southwest neighbourhoods, the Seniors Innovation Fund’s dancing, tai chi, holiday celebrations and “breaking bread” events have become popular gathering places for socializing and sharing cultural traditions. Seniors from China, the Caribbean, India, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries attend events, many of which are centred on food.
Language barriers led organizers to create an English as a second language program in April. The group collaborated with Edmonton Public Library and other community organizations to find instructors and teaching materials.
“I have been enjoying the activities provided by SIF since its beginning,” Joyce Makarowski said. “The social aspect has been great for people of different cultures — sharing ideas, food, vegetables, veg seeds, dance, games, garage sales, (it) has all contributed in creating new and lasting friendships.”
Questions over funding and a desire by the community league that the group become self-sustaining have emerged in the past year. The Seniors Innovation Fund plans to organize more of its own fundraisers and apply for a $25,000 grant from the federal government.
Though much of the programming is designed for seniors, dozens of younger residents help out as volunteers.
“It appears to be quite successful in part because it became a very intergenerational initiative,” Richards said.