Bridging The Gap

Bridging the Gap aims to provide valuable opportunities for social participation, skills development, and life-long learning between youth and seniors in our community. Through this initiative, older adults will have the opportunity to volunteer as facilitators to introduce a wide variety of skills to local youth including cooking, gardening, woodworking, engineering and more.

Bridging the Gap will be run in partnership with the Grand River Council on Aging who will recruit and provide orientation to eligible volunteers. Vulnerable sector screening checks are mandatory and provided at no cost to participating volunteers. All knowledge, hobbies and skills will be considered through the volunteer recruitment process but will be subject to location and equipment availability, as well as insurance and liability considerations.

This program is made possible by funding from the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility, under the Seniors Community Grant Program.

Bridging the Gap - Skills Fair

Older adults (55+) are invited to share their skills with youth at the Bridging the Gap Skills Fair on Saturday, March 23 at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Older adults who have already participated in this program are welcome to return to share the same skill with a wider audience, or showcase an entirely different skill. Those who have not yet participated are also welcome to register for this free event. No skill is too small, in fact, we’re looking for people who can teach simple skills such as: hand sewing, tying a tie, sewing on a button, cursive writing, tying a fishing lure, patching dry-wall, crocheting, applying caulking, calligraphy, paper crafting, lacing shoes or skates, and more!

This event will be structured like a skills-sharing fair in which older adult volunteers will have assigned booths, some of them shared, where they can host short participatory skills demonstrations. Youth can travel from booth to booth to engage in learning the skills the older adult volunteers are demonstrating. All supplies and materials will be provided by the City and no teaching or program planning experience is required. Refreshments will be served. If you have any questions, please email partnerships@brantford.ca or call 519-759-4150 ext. 5986.

Bridging the Gap - Program Registration

Bike Repair

Date(s): Monday, February 26; Monday, March 25
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Heron Head Bikes, 120 Morrell Street

Youth (age 10-18) are invited to learn the basics of bike repair and maintenance from experts Bob Johnston and Stan Gorecki. This free program will take place at Heron Head Bikes. Dinner to be provided. Any questions about the program can be directed to partnerships@brantford.ca. Registration closed, all events are sold out.

Knitting with Rita

Date(s): Monday, February 26 and Monday, March 4
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey St.

Participants aged 11-17 are invited to join esteemed knitter Rita, to hone in their individual creativity through a starter knitting project. All materials will be provided. No experience required.

Watercolour Painting with Cathy

Date(s): Tuesday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 19
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey St.

Through this interactive art class, participants aged 11-17 will learn to hone their creative art skills through watercolour painting with the artist, Cathy Grieve. All materials will be provided. No experience required.

EmpowerYOUth: Yoga & Wellness Program

Date(s): February 21, February 28 , March 6, March 13, March 20 and March 27
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Major Ballachey Hub, 105 Rawdon Street

EmpowerYouth is a yoga wellness program designed to empower youth aged 11-14 to build confidence, and set meaningful goals using a mix of yoga practice, mindfulness exercises and interactive activities to address topics including stress management, body image, peer pressure and goal setting. Registration deadline is February 20 at 4:30 p.m. For more information and to register email mrutten@brantford.ca or call 519-759-4150 Ext. 5070

Tai Chi

Date(s): February 20 and February 22
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey St.

Youth aged 11-17 are invited to join older adult volunteers from the Canadian Tai Chi Academy for an introduction to Tai Chi. No experience required, all are welcome!

Introductory Pottery

Date(s): February 27 and March 7
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Smak Dab Pottery, 432 Colborne St.

Youth aged 12 to 29 are invited to roll up your sleeves and join Rose from Smak Dab Pottery to learn about the history of clay and create your own unique project. No experience required. Pizza dinner will be offered. Please contact partnerships@brantford.ca if there are any food allergies.

Power Hour with Professionals

Date(s): March 1
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Brantford Golf and Country Club, 60 Ava Road

High school-aged youth are invited to connect with older adult professionals like as physicians, pharmacists, and teachers to learn more about career development. Snacks will be provided.