About Us

History of a Full Intergenerational Immersion Project 2000-2008

In 2000, Sharon MacKenzie, a teacher in School District 22, Vernon, BC, Canada, approached a neighbour who had recently purchased an Assisted Living Facility in the area. Unsatisfied with the impact of occasional visits to senior care facilities with her students, Sharon was looking for something that would connect the two generations in a way that sustained the relationships, and the learning. The Meadows School ProjectTM took wings.

A makeshift classroom for thirty students, 9-12 years of age, was set up in an Assisted Living Residence housing fifty older adults. Students were bussed to the facility to attend their full day of school, interlocking their calendar and activities with those older residents who volunteered to participate in the project. Students attended for five weeks in the fall semester, and three weeks in the spring semester, with two or three visits to the centre in each of the months in between. Special activities were also set up at the school intermittently for older adults who were interested and able to attend. 

Seniors’ attitudes and emotional health visibly improved with the inclusion of the young participants. Human relationships blossomed, older adults had time for them, while older adults were treated with visits that warded off loneliness. Shared learning abounded. Respect was key in building each of these intergenerational bridges

The educational and social goals mandated by the Ministries of Education and Health were met. For the children, the project plan required that students spend time on their dedicated studies, which for a large part adapted well into the senior context. (i.e. study of immigration, study of the body’s growth and aging, literature studies, singing, poetry memory work, spelling bees, and so on.) It also required each student to participate in at least ninety minutes of public service each week (e.g. setting the dining room tables, filling bird feeders, cleaning the classroom, etc.). The third aspect of the project created designated daily times for older adults and children to connect one-on-one, in small groups, or in audience/performer orientations. For the older adults, they became more mentally and physically active, and the socialization opportunities abounded.

Seniors had the option to participate at several levels from one-on-one daily contact for an hour or more, to occasional participation as a observer, or audience. Some older adults chose to opt out completely, and the educator and students were respectful of those who preferred to have their living environment free of the congestion of younger people. At any time, adults could choose to participate or not, and the children had that option too, though they rarely exercised it.

All of this did not just happen, but was the result of a few strategically designed and presented lessons or discussions, developed by the team of care workers, students, older adults, and teacher.

Over the years, the Meadows School ProjectTM has caught the notice of several of Canada’s most recognized citizens, and has been honoured by heartfelt comments of support from participants, and the local community. Children from grade one to twelve have chosen to have on-going involvement with the senior community, and comments from the older adults and their families speak of renewed interest in life, energizing experiences, stimulation of age old memories, and a new found sense of purpose in relationships with the younger generation. The overall benefits regarding improved mental, physical, and social health are evident to even the casual observer.

This project has been chronicled in the documentary “Whose Grandma Are You?” by Vernon film maker Jim Elderton. The B.C. Ministry of Health in 2008 selected the Meadows School ProjectTM to be showcased in their Case Studies of Community Actions in Active Aging report. This was shared with municipalities, health authorities, seniors’ organizations, and other agencies involved with older people in British Columbia. Introduction of the project took place at the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport Active Aging Symposium held in Vancouver, BC, Canada, June 5th, 2008, and was revisited at the Symposium June 18, 2009.

In addition, building on the Meadows School ProjectTM, the Ministry partnered with the British Columbia Care Providers Association to assist Sharon in developing an Intergenerational Toolkit for educators, community groups and service providers to use, in order to promote age-friendly communities through intergenerational connections.

About Us

Definition of IG Immersion

What Is Intergenerational lmmersion?

Intergenerational immersion refers to an immersive atmosphere connecting two generations. For the purposes of this Society, intergenerational immersion is recognized as a situation whereby different generations interface within each others’ living/working space. Although in Baby and Mama steps projects,  two generations immerse purposefully in an activity that is unique to them, Intergenerational Immersion, is understood to be a longer term and on-site intergenerational relationship, such as The Meadows School Project.

History of i2i

OUR BEGINNINGS

The i2i Intergenerational Society of Canada, based out of British Columbia, was created in 2008 to assist Canadians in the building of bridges between generations.

Founder Sharon MacKenzie had worked for over thirty years connecting school aged children and youth to different generations within their communities.

Part of this initiative saw the creation of the Meadows School Project. As proof of the power of INTERGENERATIONAL (IG) became increasingly evident through this immersion project, Sharon’s mission shifted to that of promotion and sharing with the rest of Canada the ‘Why?’ and the ‘How’ of INTERGENERATIONAL bridging.

Now i2i is poised as a repository for information, resources, sharing, research and celebration in the field of INTERGENERATIONAL relations. This website and the i2i INTERGENERATIONAL Society exist for those with interest in pursuing activities, discussions, and research in IG.

In the true nature of including all generations, we are proud that our working Board of Directors spans the demographics from 35 years of age to 95 years of age. Each Director is committed to sharing our IG experiences while encouraging others to forge new partnerships between the ages.

i2i IS ABOUT

DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY’, not ‘DOING DIFFERENT THINGS’

Meadows School Project Team Presenting at BC
Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport Active Aging
Symposium , Vancouver, June 2008

Moderated by CKNW’s Christy Clark

Sharon MacKenzie – Founder of i2i

Sharon L. MacKenzie, (BA, MEd-UBC, Canada) is an educator of thirty plus years, Kindergarten to University, and has been dedicated to creating intergenerational learning opportunities within community. She has successfully connected government mandated curriculum, youth, and older adults at all levels of involvement. Since 2011, she has been on the Board of CNPEA, cnpea.ca

From the once a year visit between children and elders, to the regular monthly ‘craft and connect’ format, in 2000 Sharon moved into development and implementation of a world acclaimed and unique full immersion model, The Meadows School ProjectTM.

In 2008 Sharon left her teaching position to found the i2i Intergenerational Society with the purpose of bringing youth and older adults together across Canada. She has authored the four intergenerational curricula and kits linked on this website, in cooperation with government and organizations. Presently, she travels across the country speaking to groups and individuals assisting them in the planning and implementation of intergenerational activities. She is the grandmother of six grandsons.

Board of Directors

• Sarah Hanson, University of British Columbia (UBCO) programmes, Vernon, BC, CA

• Sharon McCoubrey, PhD, Faculty of Education (ret’d), University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, CA

• Lesley Lahaye, PhD, Faculty of  Education (ret’d), Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC, CA

• Kelsey Rusk, UNB, Fredericton, NB, CA

• Linda Totino, Administrative Assistant, Victoria, BC, CA

• Diane Olivia Meyia Mengue, Social Media, Gatineau, QC, CA

• Kay Holt, Volunteer Coordinator, Victoria, BC, CA

• Executive Director 

•  Sharon MacKenzie, BA, MEd (UBC), Intergenerational Consultant, Victoria, BC, CA

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• Honourary Directors

• Mogens Smed, DIRTT Environmental Solutions, philanthropist, Calgary, AB, CA

• Nicky Smed, DIRTT Environmental Solutions, philanthropist, Calgary, AB, CA

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• Partners of i2i

• Cameron MacKenzie  CFA, CPA, CA, i2i Outside Financial Advisor, RBC Dominion Securities, Lower Mainland, BC, CA

• Chris Alveberg, LL.B, i2i Legal, Nixon Wenger (Partner), Vernon, BC, CA

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• With thanks to past Directors

• Rob Kjarsgaard, Chair, Vernon, BC, CA

• Tracy Strilchuck, Educator, Coldstream, BC, CA

• Sheila Westwell, CA, (past Treasurer), Vernon, BC CA

• Bobbi Ferguson, (Past Secretary Treasurer), Vernon, BC, CA

• Sam Nolan (Pharmacist), (Past President, former student of Meadows School Project), Vernon, BC CA

• Janet Catalano, Cariboo Director, Senior Recreation, Williams Lake, BC, CA 

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• Past Directors remembered in their passing for their contributions to i2i

• Bruce Aikenhead, O.C., P.Eng (ret’d), former Director CSA Astronaut Program, Salmon Arm, BC, CA

• John Cochrane (1916-2013), Meadows School Project participant, Coldstream Meadows Retirement Community, Coldstream, BC, CA

• Marie Firth (1915-2017), Meadows School Project participant, Coldstream Meadows Retirement Community, Coldstream, BC, CA  

We are very honoured to have a Board of Directors that reflects the nature of the i2i Intergenerational Society, and its sense of purpose in re-connecting community. Our Board has representatives from the Order of Canada, large corporation and business, the older adult community, the senior care profession, parents, classroom teachers, university educators, and participant youth. Indeed our Board spans almost eight decades from young adult, to middle aged adults, and working and retired older adults. We believe we must be the change we want to see.

i2i wishes to acknowledge the generosity of the late John Cochrane and Marie Firth, Meadows School Project participants, and former i2i Directors

IN MEMORIUM (1916-2013)…The gift of music…”Mr. Cochrane is amazing. At his age he had everyone in awe. Before the event began there was a buzzing of the people as they gathered in the Schubert auditorium. The kids waited nervously in their seats as Mr. Cochrane went up on stage to start his performance. After his opening song the full house crowd clapped enthusiastically and encouraged him on to tell his stories of the past and sing more of the old songs. After warming up he called on the kids to help him. Without hesitation they marched up on stage like the “Beatles” and sang their hearts out to the joy of the elderly crowd. At the close of their performance little Connor was selected to present Mr.Cochrane a bouquet of flowers.” -Carolynn Strilchuk

IN MEMORIUM (1915-2017) The gift of story telling…Marie will forever be fondly remembered for her belief in our mission, her generosity in the literacy  project and its subsequent years of support to our scholarship programme. She loved the children, she loved Meadows School Project and to the very end she contributed vibrance to our collective work. She attended every event that supported our work, was an advocate internationally for the intergenerational cause, and always made us laugh with the bit of child she carried inside and let slip out on all occasions. 

1) 2009 BC Premier’s Awards, Government House, Victoria, BC
(Honourable Steven Point and Shirley Bond Deputy Premier/Minister of
Education)

2)Meadows School Project Featured at BC Ministry of Health Symposium June
2008, Vancouver BC
(BC Premier Christy Clark and Sharon MacKenzie)

3) i2i Executive Director met with then Minister of State for Seniors,
Julian Fantino, February 14, 2011