Bridging the Generational Gap

During the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it became clear that senior citizens were especially vulnerable to the virus, a secondary crisis was also rearing its head: loneliness. The lockdowns imposed to help protect at-risk communities from the virus also separated seniors from visitors and loved ones. To many who were paying heightened attention during COVID, the isolation seniors were facing was a phenomenon brought on by pandemic-era conditions. But for Debbie Sinclair, senior isolation was not news.

Sinclair is the Executive Director of Linking Generations, a charitable organization that has been working to lessen senior isolation by creating opportunities for youth and seniors to spend time together and become friends. Established in 2004 by Carol Parsons, Linking Generations began as a small not-for-profit that ran programs pairing seniors with junior high and high school-aged kids who share common interests or life experiences. The students were welcomed into senior facilities where they met with their seniors for structured visits. “Every visit there’s a planned activity,” Sinclair says. “One visit will be led by the senior. One will be led by the students.” From there, relationships begin to form.

Sinclair started volunteering with Linking Generations after retirement, when she discovered that retired life wasn’t for her. A few years later, when Parsons was ready to retire, Sinclair looked at all the good work the organization was doing and decided she needed to keep it going. She stepped into the executivedirector role, taking on a position unlike any she’d had before. “I had never in my life run an organization where I had to fundraise and work with kids and seniors alike,” Sinclair says. “But I am so fortunate because I found my passion.”Sinclair’s passion for her work is palpable — and quantitative. When she took over Linking Generations, the organization was running two
to three in-school programs. Since then, they have expanded to six with the help of Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF).

In 2023, ECF provided a $13,900 Small Grant to the organization to expand its capacity. The funding allowed Linking Generations to create additional programming, designed to service members of the senior community who weren’t interested or able to participate in the in-school programs. The first addition was a share-andcare program, where elementary students visit seniors in long-term care facilities. “Meaningful relationships are essential to mental well-being,” Tracey Gleason, Donor Grants Associate at ECF says. “When people feel a sense of belonging and purpose, communities thrive. Linking Generations is doing an outstanding job of fostering those connections and strengthening the fabric of our community.” To pilot the share-and-care program, Linking Generations approached a school they had an excellent working relationship with; the whole school got involved.

“Every single week, a different class would go, and we watched these seniors who sometimes are sitting in wheelchairs, who are not engaged — they just beamed.”

They also added a volunteer grandparent program, where seniors who are still living at home can participate in structured visits to high schools and share their stories with youth. They now have over 100 students participating in the program. Sinclair says the organization’s growth is a sign that there is demand for programs like theirs, but the organization is careful not to expand too quickly. “We make sure before we do any type of expansion that the funding is there, and that we can sustain that program for a minimum of five years.”

This patience reflects the thoughtful approach Linking Generations takes when engaging with seniors and students. Sinclair understands that her organization is building lasting friendships — many of which continue after students graduate from the program. Linking Generations’ programs are over subscribed by students each year, in part because students want to make these connections as much as seniors. As she looks to the future, Sinclair is focused on maintaining all the work they’ve done in the community — all the friendships they’ve fostered, and on finding ways to responsibly grow. The success Linking Generations has had proves that there is demand for intergenerational relationships. They just need fostering and support.

This story comes from the Fall 2025 Edition of Thrive Magazine.

Read the full issue.