IG Day Canada – June 1st
i2i Intergenerational Society is a volunteer not-for-profit organization. We do not provide programmes. We exist only to support you in getting the word out, and to encourage and assist others in pursuing respectful and purposeful Intergenerational Connecting. A decade of practice with Meadows School Project 2000-10 (intergenerational.ca) is the research that informs our purpose. We are a support hub and act as a Canadian platform for sharing promising intergenerational practice in Canada.
IG Day was initiated in 2010 by i2i and 5 Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) funded student groups from Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia. To date, 12 provinces and territories and over 100 cities have officially recognized the day with 3 provinces (ON, MB, NB) and the Toronto District School Board proclaiming it by law, in-perpetuity.Your event doesn’t have to be on June 1st, but consider letting people know on June 1st what you have done or are planning. It’s a one-day blitz to feature a GOOD NEWS story, Improved health through social connecting!
CHECK OUT : intergenerational.ca
Every little push will help us all make intergenerational connecting …‘just the way that we do things’ in Canada.
How to Celebrate the Day
There is no one way to celebrate. Over the years, we have seen activities ranging from community celebrations to readings in Legislature; rural organizations connecting generations with farming tools and practice; picnics and more! IG Day can be marked by everyone. People are acknowledging Intergenerational day and highlighting its purpose through real-life activities and social media campaigns, with photo ops, on blogs or in schools.
Look for listing on local event calendars, and in newsletters of national organizations. There are many ways to celebrate on June 1st. Your event doesn’t have to be on June 1st, you can make it a week-long affair. To inspire you we have gathered a few tips and resources below:
Selfie Campaign – Social Media
Individuals are encouraged to write how they will celebrate their IG Day. Download the poster template and encourage people to take a selfie with the poster and share it on social media with #hastag #IGDayCanada
www.twitter.com/i2isociety @i2isociety
www.facebook.com/I2iintergenerational
Posters/Handouts
Download IG posters to promote your event and IG Day
IG Day Poster Template (download) WrdDoc
IG Day Poster Pdf
Intergenerational Tool Kits
Across the Generations Respect All Ages
This national curriculum was designed is to bring greater awareness to the issues of ageing, greater respect for individuals, particularly older adults and to encourage on-going community based projects across the generations. This work was an adaptation of a Manitoba initiative and includes a series of 21 lessons for children aged 8-13 in school, home or a community based setting.
Toolkit – English
Toolkit – French
Creating Caring Communities: A Guide to Establishing Intergenerational Programs for Schools, Care Facilities and Community Groups
This Toolkit gives background and assistance in planning, implementing and sustaining engaging intergenerational activities in community, health care and school.
Intergenerational Trust Building: An Untapped Resource for Preventing Elder Abuse. This Kit is meant to assist individuals and groups in all generations to work collaboratively, creating time and place for respectful intergenerational connecting.
Elder Abuse Awareness Teen Kit (English) PDF 3.27 Mb
Elder Abuse Awareness Teen Kit (French) PDF 3.37 Mb
Planning Ideas
Providing opportunities for children and older adults to participate in activities together, creates a greater awareness and understanding of our differing challenges and attitudes toward a growing older. In developing respect for all ages, we move towards prevention of mistreatment of older adults, and others in our society.
Take 5 minutes to a whole day ideas for IG Day everyday… IT’S SIMPLE, FUN AND EASY AS 1-2-3!
Take time to be with someone from a different generation to participate in an activity today, it only takes a few moments and a simple thoughtful gesture to make people feel connected and special.
If you have a few seconds:
- make eye contact and smile
- hold the door for the person to pass through
- say ‘have a good day!’
If you have 5 minutes:
- call to say hello
- put the number in your cell contact list so you can call again sometime
- give a single flower
If you have 30 minutes:
- sit down and have a conversation
- go for a short walk
- write a short note in a card and post it
If you have an hour or two:
- share a meal
- go to a movie together
- play a game together
Programs in Canada
Toronto Intergenerational Partnerships develops and facilitates inter-generational programs in partnership with groups, agencies, organizations and coordinates friendly visiting programs in long-term care facilities and the community. www.tigp.org
iGenOttawa brings awareness of the positive value of relationships between older and younger people; Encourages organizations, community groups and residents to celebrate Intergenerational Day through activities that bring together people of different ages; and
Promotes the value of taking small actions to bridge generations within the community year-round. www.igenottawa.ca
Linking Generations brings the generations together so they can share their knowledge and life experiences, and encourages volunteering and social responsibility in youth. www.linkinggenerations.ca
Seniors and Kids Intergenerational Programs: SKIP brings together students of all ages with nursing/retirement home seniors. www.goskip.org
LINKages Society of Alberta connect youth and seniors in a spirit of cooperation, friendship and respect where both generations benefit from sharing their experiences, skills and knowledge. www.link-ages.ca
Videos
Whose Grandma Are You?
Documentary for Educators and Community workers available in both 10 and 20 minute clips. View Videos
Seniors Are Cool
The Seniors are Cool! video is a short film targeting children in primary grades to dispel the misconceptions about aging and older adults and to highlight intergenerational strategies for healthy active living and lifelong learning.
Video – English Video – French
Keep your Loot; Give Fraud the Boot
Grade 12 High school students partnered with older adults in North Wellington, Ontario to research and develop an awareness event in honour of National Victims of Crime Awareness Week. Working with local OPP, the Seniors Centre for Excellence and the Seniors at Risk Coordinator of Trellis Mental Health & Developmental Services, students and seniors surveyed older adults on elder abuse and frauds/scams and put together an awareness event for seniors. View Video
In 2020, i2i will celebrate the 10th year anniversary of Intergenerational Day! They are already working on some special projects and surprises. Stay in touch with us to learn more as plan our celebrations!