The first Grand Pals program for the season was on Wednesday, September 18, and the Portage Family Resource Centre's Program Director, Peter Thiessen, says they had great attendance.
"This was, I'm certain, a record. We had ten families show up, which, I think previous to this, our highest number had been seven, so this was really busy, but man, was it fun! Seeing all the kids running around, playing," Thiessen continues. "The nice thing about having a larger number is, if you have a couple of kids who are shyer, then they can sit back and watch a little bit while the more outgoing ones will run up to the seniors and smile at them, play with them. So, yeah, this was an amazing turnout."
The program is hosted at Dufferin Villa every first and third Wednesday of the month between September and May, and Thiessen emphasizes that they are excited to be back for their third year. He notes what got the program started initially.
"Our Executive Director (Melissa Morrison) was really passionate about trying to start an inter-generational program, something that would bring together seniors and the preschool families that we work with. So, we looked at a couple of different ideas, and it seemed like Dufferin Villa was a really good option, and part of the reason was it's a newer facility, they have a space that's a great size for meeting in, and just the fact that the people who live here have a reasonable amount of independence, and so, they're able to be a little more active and enjoy the program, interacting with the kids."
Lucy Van Dongan, the Activity Coordinator with Dufferin Villa, says it's something that they are excited to host.
"For our tenants, it's an opportunity to connect with young families, and that's a perspective they don't get in other settings, especially if their own families are further away, and they don't see them that often. Also, if they don't have young children in their family anymore, this is a great place to come and be reminded of what fun and joy that young children have and that they bring to other people, too."
If you are interested in taking part in the program, registration can be done through their website, frcportage.ca.