LINKages Society
Suite 130 720 28th St N.E. T2A 6R3 Calgary, AB, Canada

Email us at [email protected] for more information and to join our Pen Pal Program today! #LINKages #YYC #penpal

Some of our students took part in this!

We need YOU!!! We still need a few amazing volunteers to help out with our upcoming casino fundraiser on November 20th & 21st. These events provide critical funding for all of our amazing #intergenerational programs. #volunteeryyc DM us if you’re interested!! #LINKages

( This is a pre-COVID photo We sure miss seeing these faces in person! ) When March’s news of a global pandemic caused LINKages’ programs to temporarily close, conversations began to shift. How do we continue to engage intergenerational work when we are unable to bring people physically together? LINKages’ intentionally emphasizes the importance of helping vulnerable and isolated populations come together. Isn’t this work needed now more than ever?... In a word YES! The shift included the beginning of Pen Pal Program (Email us to sign up or learn more: [email protected]) IG Hangouts Revision of programs and manuals LINKages still desires to be a place where youth and seniors both thrive! For this to currently happen, meeting together in a large group is not a way to honour this vision. BUT, we can take what we have done in the past and change it to fit the days we live in. Stay tuned as we progressively share how we are continuing to move forward to be a place in Calgary which seeks to bring people together even if it looks different than how we did this a year ago. Thank you for your ongoing support, interest, and desire to be involved in building up #intergenerationalyyc community! This movement never stops - the show must go on! #yyc #covid19 #cometogether #intetgenerational #yycseniors #yycyouth #bridgethegap #virtualage #nomoreisolation See more

Flashback to June!

"I had the honour of volunteering with LINKages from grade 7 through to university. I wanted LINKages to be prominently featured in my application [for university] as it was such a valuable experience...I have learned many life lessons and can truly say that LINKages changed my circumstances. Because of my Senior Friends, I have traveled to over 25 countries (many seniors listed lack of travel as their greatest regret) and strive to make my family a priority (the topic ...that seems to bring most joy to seniors). It is a gift to receive wisdom from those who have led extraordinary full lives when you are a young student trying to design what your life should be. Thank you for fostering these connections - they are so important." - Former LINKages' student participant Though programs will be looking different in the fall, LINKages' primary goal is to support the fostering of reciprocal intergenerational relationships and communities. Looking forward to seeing where new opportunities to come together, even physically apart, will take us in the weeks and months to come. Stay tuned! #cometogether #intergenerationalyyc #yyc #bridgethegap #covid19 #community #yycseniors #yycyouth

C O M M U N I T Y Kindness Project continues! @bowvalley , @link_ages , and #bvcares' volunteers collaborated and invited anyone interested in creating hand made cards and notes to spread some kindness in Calgary. Cards went to: ... Seniors Frontline Workers Disability Support Staff Firefighters Guess which group this was for?! @calgaryfirefighters T H A N K Y O U to the many creative Calgarians who participated. And a big T H A N K Y O U to those on Calgary's frontlines. You are a gift to our city!! What can you do to encourage someone in your home, neighborhood, or city today? #dogood #covid19 #yyc #spreadkindness #community #communitykindness #intergenerationalyyc #yycfrontline #yycfrontlineworkers

LINKages is so proud of Lauren, a junior high student from one of our Jr High school partners. She and her mom dropped off 200 cards Lauren made for residents in care centres. Each card has a personal note from Lauren, as well as origami cranes she made. Betty, one of our Care Centre/School Program Coordinators distributed them to care centres! How can you be a part of building up #intergenerationalyyc connections right where you are? Thank you, Lauren, her mom, and... Betty for your intentional effort in helping seniors know they have people in their corner! Awesome work, Lauren! #cometogether #yyc #yycseniors #yycyouth #covid19 #encouragement #origami #homemadecards #bridgethegap

C O M M U N I T Y K I N D N E S S P R O J E C T The amazing team of volunteers who have been meeting for IG Hangouts has brainstormed a wonderful community project. If you are able, we invite you to join in! We are inviting you to help make hand-crafted Thank You cards which will be sent to Calgary's amazing frontline workers. You are welcome to make 1 or 100 cards! Cards will be sent to... The Calgary Drop-in Centre The Calgary Fire Department (station TBD) Group homes for persons with disabilities Seniors at Age Care Centre and Affordable Housing building Send your card(s) by mail to LINKages Society of Alberta #130 720 28 St NE Calgary, AB T2A 6R3 by Tues July 28. * If postage is a barrier, please let us know and we will help * Questions? Email [email protected] or [email protected] Thank you! See more

@cityofcalgary is hosting Explore Parks Together! This is a unique program for older adults & their informal caregivers & provides opportunities for being active & creative in the outdoors. Topics will vary each week. Register by calling 403-268-3800.... Check out the City's website for more information & to view other free City of Calgary activities! calgary.ca/csps/free-activities.html. #stayactive #cometogether #covid19 #summervibes #yycseniors #caregivers #explorecalgary #yyc

What a rewarding afternoon!

After 3 months of not being able to visit with their senior friends in one of LINKages' Care Centre/School programs, 20 junior high students from GP Vanier School made an appearance at Carewest G. Boyack to visit at a distance! "Everyone was excited to see each other!" - Betty one of LINKages' Care Centre/School Program Coordinators ... To learn more about this program, feel free to contact LINKages at [email protected] or visit the link in our bio! #cometogether #covid19 #yycseniors #yycyouth #intergenerationalyyc #celebrateintergeneration See more

What an awesome afternoon to see these Junior High students with signs, cards, flowers and gifts visiting the senior friends they hadn't seen since March!