SOUTH PORCUPINE - On a wet, grey autumn morning, a newly renovated section of a seniors' living facility is full of life.
People of all ages celebrated the opening of the EarlyOn centre at Spruce Hill Lodge in South Porcupine today (Oct. 15).
It's the first time a full-time program is being offered in South Porcupine, and it comes with a unique touch — intergenerational programming. It allows children, parents and seniors to get together for activities.
“It won’t be like that every day, but there will be participating seniors that help us volunteering with setting up programs, getting snacks and meals ready, plus programming together where seniors can help teach things like crafts or do things together. This week we have pumpkin carving together,” said Shannon Costello, Cochrane District Services Board director of children's services.
Fran Reid is one of the Spruce Hill Lodge residents looking forward to the new addition to the seniors living facility, which is housed in the former Porcupine General Hospital on Bruce Avenue.
“It livens it up,” she laughed. “Because usually we’re pretty quiet.”
Last week, she rolled up her sleeves to bake apple crisp as part of the new programming. She predicts it's going to be fun moving forward.
"I enjoy kids. If they can use some help with a couple of volunteers, why not? It fills in the time,” she said.
EarlyOn is provincially funded and offered for free to children up to six years of age.
CDSB offers the program at three sites — Spruce Hill Lodge, the Timmins Native Friendship Centre at 179 Kirby Ave., and the North Eastern Ontario Family and Child Services (NEOFACS), 707 Ross Ave.
In July, the YMCA site was closed and mobile programming was offered while the South Porcupine space was updated. When the change was announced, CDSB said the room being used at the YMCA was being repurposed into a preschool room.
SEE: EarlyON program at Timmins YMCA closing
Because it's a drop-in program, Costello said the numbers are different every day. For the soft launch of the new site last week, though, 50 people stopped in on the first day.
This is the first time in the district that intergenerational programming is being offered.
"We’re super excited about doing programming together because our children … and our parents have a lot to learn from seniors," said Costello.
Other childcare centres in Canada have partnered with senior homes, having space at Spruce Hill Lodge to rent, CDSB talked to Spruce Hill Lodge.
All of the resident participation is voluntary.
“There’s a few women who have become very connected already, which we’re super excited about," said Costello.
"It’s nice to hear them tell their stories of when they were raising their kids. It’s nice to know that you’re not alone as a parent and you’re going through those fun stages of childhood."
The entrance to the EarlyOn program is from the front of the building on the east side.
It's open six days a week, from Monday to Saturday.
The programming and hours are available online here.