Building Intergenerational Connections
The Building Connections for Valley Families Project
in partnership with
Funding provided Island Health’s Community Wellness Grants
Other Project Partners include: Vancouver Island Regional Library, University of British Columbia’s Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP)
Introducing Ann Brown, Intergenerational Coordinator
Beginning with family vacations at Saratoga Beach in the early 1980s, I have got to know and love the Comox Valley. Although we lived happily in North Vancouver, we always knew this area would be our home. My parents joined us from England in 1991 and settled in Comox, giving us even more reasons to visit. We also realized the positive impact on us and our children of having older adults in our lives.
I eventually sort of retired and now live in Comox with my husband and two dogs. We feel blessed that our daughter and granddaughter also live in Comox. Our son and grandchild are not too far away in New Westminster.
When I came to Comox, I joined the Comox Valley Newcomers’ Club and made many lasting friendships. I served as an activity leader, vice president and then president and I’m now a member of the Comox Valley Newcomers’ Alumnae. Through these organizations, I have met seniors who came here from across Canada. Many of them are active and engaged in Valley life. Some of them have found this more difficult. There are seniors too that are born and raised here yet don’t feel part of the community.
My work in the past has been involved with engagement and change, helping people and organizations to be at their best. I really like the idea of building healthy communities by strengthening intergenerational connections. I joined the steering committee in 2023 as the project began researching possibilities for seniors to connect with families and young children.
Now in this new role as Intergenerational Connector, I’m very excited to be part of acting on what we have learned. The job now is to find or create real opportunities for connections that enrich the lives of seniors, parents, and young children. That’s building a strong community for all!
Project Overview
Project Description:
Building Connections for Valley Families is an initiative of the Comox Valley Early Years Collaborative. We have been working to reduce childhood vulnerability throughout the Comox Valley since 2019. During this time, we have been learning from parents and caregivers of young children. A consistent theme has emerged: an interest in more connection with seniors and elders in the community who can offer friendship and guidance. This led to a new Intergenerational project under the Building Connections umbrella.
The project will seek to nurture intergenerational connections within and across diverse communities, continuing our neighbourhood-based, citizen-driven approach to identifying needs, and implementing supportive programming.
The project will involve an initial process of gathering information, followed by analysis and the development of programming. Community collaboration is ongoing and central to our approach; we are building a growing team of community leaders who are invested in this work, and we will operate under the guidance of a steering committee.
The intergenerational initiative is funded by an Island Health Community Wellness Grant. Other partners include the Comox Valley Senior Support Society, the University of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Island Regional Library.
Purpose:
Building Intergenerational Connections exists to strengthen relationships between older adults and young families in Comox Valley neighbourhoods.
We do this through:
Research:
Learning about the psychosocial needs of older adults and young families, and
Learning how we can support these needs in Comox Valley neighbourhoods.
2. Programming
Designed around community needs, as articulated through research phase
Read below for more information about:
The Building Connections Project, Intergenerational Connections, and Systems Change Approach.
Contact Ann Brown, Intergenerational Connector at intergenerational.connections@gmail.com
Key Funders
The Building Intergenerational Connections Project is made possible with generous support from:
Community Wellness Grant, Island Health