Students learn from seniors in unique partnership program

BY BILL BRADLEY

Partnerships are the key to enhancing programming and services for different organizations.

That is what Anne-Marie Bigras, administrative assistant with St. Joseph's Villa of Sudbury said when a partnership with Laurentian University resulted in a $24,300 federal New Horizons for Seniors Program grant from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Canada.

The partnership involves matching retired professionals who are now seniors - such as teachers, nurses and even doctors - at St. Joseph's Villa, with international students from China, Korea and even Russia, who need help with their English skills and life skills while adapting to Sudbury.

"This is a significant grant for us, a win-win for both institutions," said Bigras.

The grant will pay for adaptive hearing devices, large print books, computers and visual aids to allow the dozen retired professionals to help the international students better adapt to their studies and life in Canada.

"For our seniors, it is either use their accumulated professional and life skills, or lose them," said Rita Pulice, Life Enrichment Manager, St. Joseph's Villa.

A traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast at the Villa launched this community partnership with students from Laurentian University's Level 3 English for Academic Preparation Program.

International students are required to complete Level 3 English before they can take courses at Laurentian University.
The students had the opportunity to meet their mentors and become familiar with the history behind Shrove Tuesday, while feasting on pancakes.

"This initiative will provide our seniors the opportunity to share their history,  to experience the preparation and tasting of ethnic foods, gain knowledge of other cultures and develop long term friendships. Students will have the opportunity to share their life stories, to learn about the Canadian culture, traditions, nutrition and activities that we consider truly Canadian while fine tuning their English language skills," said Pulice,
"This new mentorship program will help our international students to further develop and refine their language skills.

The students and their mentors will also have the opportunity to share their customs and cultures," said André Mailloux, head instructor, Laurentian English for Academic Preparation Program.

Twelve students, nine from China, two from Korea and one from Russia, have started the program and a second session is scheduled to commence in April of this year.