Nine-year-old Isaac Floyd showed intense concentration as he carefully threaded a needle through a piece of fabric, guided by the experienced hand of senior Lucy Marco. Their interaction at the Bridging the Gap Skills Fair exemplified the essence of bridging generational divides through shared skills and knowledge.
Isaac reflected on his experience, stating, “It wasn’t hard – after I got the hang of it.” His choice to tackle button sewing as his first challenge showcased the importance of preserving traditional skills that are sometimes overlooked in modern times.
The fair marked the culmination of a series of events funded by an Ontario Seniors Community Grant, aimed at fostering intergenerational connections. The City of Brantford received $25,000 to organize activities that brought seniors and youth together for various engaging pursuits, such as pickleball, curling, terrarium building, 3-D printing, knitting, and collaborative writing.
Amy Brandt, a community initiatives coordinator with the City of Brantford, highlighted the significance of these initiatives in helping youth develop meaningful relationships with older adults. She noted, “It’s about bridging the generational gap.”
During the fair, youth had the opportunity to visit booths where senior adults, aged 55 and above, volunteered to share their expertise in a range of skills. These included crocheting, watercolour painting, fishing techniques, drywall patching, crepe making, skate lacing, and cursive writing.
Brandt emphasized the wealth of knowledge that older adults possess, stating, “Everybody’s got skills and knowledge, they’re just not asked about them.” The event aimed to celebrate and leverage these skills, often taken for granted in today’s fast-paced digital age.
Intergenerational learning has been a focal point for the Grand River Council on Aging, according to Marco, the organization’s executive director. She emphasized the value of conversations and mutual wisdom sharing between generations. “The (seniors) aren’t teaching, they’re sharing,” Marco explained.
In one corner of the Dunn Building, eight-year-old Jonathan Lapointe found himself entangled in fishing line, prompting volunteer Peter Vandervlist to offer assistance. Vandervlist, who recently retired and enjoys fishing, shared his expertise with budding anglers, demonstrating how to assemble a fishing pole and perform basic casting techniques.
Vandervlist noted the importance of passing down traditional skills, remarking, “A lot of skills are being lost over time. The culture is different now, with instant information available online.”
Taylor Berzins, another community initiatives coordinator with the City of Brantford, highlighted the significant youth turnout at the Bridging the Gap events, with 255 participants aged five to 26 registering over the past year. The success of the skills fair, which saw over 120 attendees, underscored the community’s interest in such intergenerational programs.
Brandt expressed optimism about continuing these initiatives, recognizing the ongoing need for bridging generational divides and fostering meaningful connections within the community.
