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Different generations came together at Dr. Turner Lodge on Monday (Mar. 20).
Linking Generations is a charity that works to bridge the generational gap by pairing up students with seniors throughout the school year.
This meet and greet allowed student parents to join in and see the bonds that their children have made through the program.
Debbie Sinclair, executive director of the charity, said that everyone engaged in conversation and even played trivia games.
"This was the first meet and greet we've done in Dr. Turner Lodge," said Sinclair. "There were approximately 60 people there."
"The minute all these families get together, the room becomes very loud, which is a true testament that what we're doing is working."
To break the ice, families played 'two truths, one lie' to help learn more about each other.
"It was amazing to walk around the room to hear the students learn things about their parents. It was a lot of laughter."
This is a new program, with only Grade 7 and 8 students at Saint John Paul II Catholic School taking part. However, Sinclair hopes that the success of the project will help bring in enough funding to expand to more schools.
Much of the funding comes from local sponsors, including the City of Fort Saskatchewan, Wolf Midstream, Twice But Nice, and the Fort Saskatchewan Rotary Club. The federal government does kick in some funds as well.
"A lot of youth doesn't have those connections with grandparents," said Sinclair. "What we're trying to do is to bring the generations together and share their stories."
Linking Generations plans a meeting with students and seniors every couple of weeks.