It's incredible how much you can learn by having a brief chat with someone with lived experience.
That's what happened at St. Clair College's Student Life Centre on April 15, 2026.
In collaboration with Schlegel Villages' The Village at St. Clair, students in the Social Service Worker – Gerontology program hosted the third annual Green Bench Elder Wisdom: Bridging Generations event, where neighbours at the nearby long-term care home came to the College to interact and connect with students.
"This is our third year partnering with The Village at St. Clair to bring residents to campus to sit, chat, and share their stories and wisdom with students and staff," said Alexandra Frabotta, the program coordinator for the Social Service Worker – Gerontology program. "Their iconic Elder Wisdom green benches were set up throughout the space to spark conversation and connection across generations."
For Village resident Dolly Comartin, it was a chance to learn about what students of today are going through.
"It's an opportunity to speak to the younger ones, which helps them feel important," said Comartin, who is now 85. She was a teacher by trade and, during the event, was very invested in conversations with students who stopped by.
"I'm happy to be here. I'm here mainly to encourage them into whatever they are involved in, whatever their program is," she said. "I want to know about them as well."
Students also benefit through attained wisdom and access to potential future employers.
The event brought in industry partners from local community groups, including The Village at St. Clair, The Village at Aspen Lake, The Alzheimer Society, South Asian Centre, Lifetimes on Riverside, Community Support Centre, Harmony in Action, Iler Lodge and the Berkshire Care Centre.
"It's just good to have a different outlook from like other people," said Ashley Thibert, President of the Social Service Worker Gerontology club. "From the student perspective, it helps us gain outside knowledge, and on the neighbour's side, it helps them with their social isolation by giving them someone to talk to. It brightens their day and helps brighten their mood."
Students and elders also had a chance to partner on a Zumba class, paint rocks for the "rock snake" garden at The Village at St. Clair's community garden.
"This provides a sense of hope and optimism, it gives her a sense of connection," said Tammy Zimmerman, Student/Volunteer Coordinator at Village at St. Clair. "It gives her a sense of meaning and purpose, and I feel like it completely rejuvenates her spirit."
Zimmerman brought a few different neighbours over to St. Clair College during the event – and says they got a lot out of the interactions – especially Comartin.
"It's allowing her to be who she's always been, to teach our younger generation, to talk to them, to make others see that she is still there. She has wisdom and she has something to share," Zimmerman added. "Let's talk. Let's have a heart-to-heart. Let's look into each other's eyes and listen and hear what we have to say."
Above all, students who wandered through the Student Life Centre and the neighbours from Schlegel Villages benefited from the intergenerational learning opportunity.
As Comartin aptly put it: "You're never too old to learn."
