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 21 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 (now) Premier Christy Clark

Sharon L. MacKenzie, (BA, MEd-UBC, Canada) is an educator of thirty 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.

From the once a year visit between children and elders, to the regular monthly ‘craft and connect' format, Sharon moved into development and implementation of a highly acclaimed and unique full immersion model, The Meadows School Project^TM.

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 three 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.
Further information... News releases ‘North of 50'

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

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

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

• Sam Nolan, President, Vancouver, BC, CA

Sam, 21 years old, is studying Pharmacy at UBC, and looking to a career in Medicine. Born in Vancouver, Sam grew up in Vernon, graduating from Kalamalka Secondary. As a student participant in Year 1 of the Meadows School Project, Sam was moved by the richness of the experience. He continued to volunteer at the Meadows throughout his high school years, and then at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital and the Hawthorne Retirement Community, Kelowna. Sam also worked as a pharmacy technician at Pharmasave in Vernon. Sam loves to ski, read, play volleyball and most of all, play soccer. He is currently working on a project to that will connect seniors to a local youth organization.

• Rob Kjarsgaard, Vice-President, Vernon, BC, CA
• Bruce Aikenhead, O.C., P.Eng (ret'd), former Director CSA Astronaut Program, Salmon Arm, BC, CA
  Janet Catalano, Cariboo Director, Senior Recreation, Williams Lake, BC, CA
  
• Mr. John Cochrane, Senior resident participant in Meadows School Project (TM), Coldstream, BC, CA
• Buddy Crawford, Ontario Director, retired teacher, Godfrey, ON, CA
• Sarah Hanson, Integrated Community Clerkship Programme Assistant, Vernon, BC, CA
• Sharon McCoubrey, PhD, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia-Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, CA
• Mogens Smed, DIRTT Environmental Solutions, philanthropist, Calgary, AB, CA
• Nicky Smed, DIRTT Environmental Solutions, philanthropist, Calgary, AB, CA
• Tracy Strilchuck, Educator, Coldstream, BC, CA

Executive Director

• Sharon MacKenzie, BA, MEd (UBC), Educator and Intergenerational Consultant, BC, Canada

Partners of i2i

• Marie Firth, senior partner, Meadows School Project^TM, Coldstream Meadows Retirement Community, Coldstream, BC, CA
• Bobbi Ferguson, Secretary of Treasury and Accounts Manager, Vernon, BC, CA
• Olivia Meyia-Takoukam, Vice President for the Athabasca University Graduate Student Association, Gatineau, QC, CA
• Sarah Vincent, Project Lead, Revelstoke, BC, CA

"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

i2i Intergenerational Society is proud to be supported in part by

Spider Agile Technology www.spideragiletechnology.com (Kelowna, BC, Canada), a wholly owned subsidiary of DIRTT Environmental Solutions www.dirtt.net (Calgary, AB, Canada), CEO Mogens Smed.