Intergenerational Programming 

The Institute for Continuing Care Education & Research (ICCER) is pleased to offer an education opportunity for all levels of staff, as well as faculty, students, family and community members involved in continuing care.

We will have a range of knowledgeable speakers discussing a variety of topics related to intergenerational programming. See the agenda below for more information on our speakers and their presentations! 

Speakers will be presenting from both Edmonton (ECHA 2-150) and Calgary (Faculty of Rehab Med, U of A Calgary Campus room 320) sites. There is no cost to attend at either host site. Because there is no cost to attend at host sites, no refreshments or lunch will be provided.

Registration is also available to attend via Zoom webinar! We encourage those participating via webinar to watch with a group to promote discussion. There is a cost of $75/site for non-members to attend via Zoom webinar. There is no cost for ICCER organizational*, associate** and individual members.  

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AGENDA

8:45 - 9:00 AM - Registration & webinar set-up

9:00 - 9:15 AM - Welcome & introductions - ICCER

9:15 - 10:15 AM - Intergenerational Toolkit - Diana O'Donoghue & Kim Turcotte, City of Edmonton

Diana graduated from the University of Alberta in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies - Special Populations. She has been at the City of Edmonton for 15 years and has also worked in the field of Recreation Therapy at CapitalCare Dickinsfield and the Glenrose Hospital for a number of years. In her role as Accessibility Liaison, Diana uses her experience and passion for inclusion and barrier free design to ensure city projects, plans and programs are inclusive for all regardless of age and ability. 

Kim Turcotte has a Masters Degree in Health Promotion from the University of Alberta. She has been employed at the City of Edmonton for over 11 years and has spent the last 6 years supporting not-for-profit organizations delivering programs to Edmontonians as an Edmonton FCSS Liaison. Prior to joining the City of Edmonton, Kim held a variety of positions from front-line service delivery through to Executive Director within the not-for-profit sector serving children and youth and more recently has gained experience and knowledge in the senior's sector. Kim is passionate about the work within the not-for-profit sector specifically related to community development, partnerships and evaluation.

10:15 - 11:00 AM - Innovative Intergenerational Initiatives from Age Friendly Edmonton - Salima Suleman, Age Friendly Edmonton

Salima Suleman is currently the Intergenerational Connection Action Hub Champion with Age Friendly Edmonton, a co-led initiative by the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council. Salima is a professional educator, speech-language pathologist, and researcher, but more importantly she is enthusiastic about and inspired by bringing together people at different ages and stages of life to learn from and with each other. 

In this presentation, you will learn key information about the history and approach to Intergenerational Connections with Age Friendly Edmonton. You will also be introduced to one of the landmark projects under this initiative - an intergenerational podcast series that will highlight shared lived experiences of people at different ages and stages of life in Edmonton.

11:00 - 11:15 AM - BREAK

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM - Hope Kids: A 20+ Year Intergenerational Partnership - Jan Hrasko, CapitalCare

Jan Hrasko worked in pediatrics and mental health before finding her niche with seniors. She was first employed as a recreation therapist with the Good Samaritan Society before taking roots at CapitalCare, where she has been for over 26 years.

CapitalCare Dickinsfield and Katherine Therrien Elementary School have been fortunate to have established a solid long-term partnership between its students and continuing care residents. Hope Kids is a unique program that pairs grade 6 students who take on the role of "hope ambassadors" for residents in long-term care. Jan will share the history of the program, its philosophy, and the challenges it has experienced through the years. We will discuss the notion of how hope is brought to life and nurtured in the program and how residents can ultimately see life in a brighter light.

12:00 - 12:50 PM - LUNCH BREAK (Note: No lunch will be provided for this session)

1:00 - 1:45 PM - Better Together - Intergenerational Programs in Care Centres & Community - Ruby Lecot, LINKages Society of Alberta

Ruby Lecot, MSW, RSW, has deeply enjoyed a 25 year career in the human services sector so far. Ruby attained a Bachelor's degree in psychology and then social work, and realized social work was where she was born to be. After attaining a Master's degree from the University of Calgary in 1999, she worked in a variety of roles from frontline to leadership, experiencing urban and rural settings. 

Social work has provided the variety and life-long learning opportunity that Ruby was looking for, and she has had the pleasure of gaining expertise in the fields of mental health, child and youth development, family counselling, parent and foster care skills training, supports for children and adults with disabilities, community development, aging in place, leadership, and outcomes and measurement. 

Throughout her career, Ruby has focused on the ideals of servant leadership, collaboration, resiliency, excellence, and supporting development of human potential.

Ruby brings the foundational belief that we are better together to her current role as the Executive Director of LINKages Society of Alberta, connecting youth and seniors in Calgary and across the province.

1:45 - 2:30 PM - Intergenerational Programming - An Agency & Student Perspective - Harley Hempel, Sherwood Care & Cameron Lafreniere

As a 2016 graduate from the University of Alberta, Harley has spent the past 8 years working with the residents of Sherwood Care in the field of Recreation Therapy; first as a Recreation Aide, and currently as the Recreation Therapist. As the facility's Recreation Therapist, Harley has a great appreciation for intergenerational programming and has witnessed firsthand the positive impact and value it has on all those involved.

Speaking with Harley will be Cameron Lafreniere. Cameron recently graduated from Salisbury High School and participated in the Linking Generations Program during his time as a student. 

2:30 - 3:00 PM - Closing remarks

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