The Résidences du Bel-Âge, in Outaouais, will welcome, in exchange for good care, a student from 1er next August.
Alexandre Chevalier, 21, is a student in specialized education techniques at Cégep de l’Outaouais.
In exchange for involvement with the elders, the young man will be housed and fed.
“It’s really just a great project both for me and for the residents who live here,” he said.
This initiative aims to create dialogue between generations.
“It’s a project that is funded by the Exchanges between Generations program of the Youth Secretariat, and they cover all project costs, including the student’s rent and five meals per week. We will also pay [électricité]his internet, his cell phone and his bus pass,” explained Jeanne Beaudry-Pilote, general director of Résidences du Bel-Âge.
In exchange, the student must complete at least 40 hours of volunteer work per month. For example, he might attend the walking club on Saturday mornings, spend two evenings a week in the common room playing cards, and visit tenants who receive fewer visitors.
“It’s really to break isolation, create links, create exchanges and make it a great experience for everyone,” added Mme Beaudry-Pilote.
Alexandre is very optimistic about this experience.
“I am someone who already has a really good relationship with my grandparents, I worked in a youth center, so I know how to organize, plan, lead activities,” he listed.
Among seniors, opinions are unanimous: “[C’est une] nice surprise,” said a resident. “He has the same profile as my grandsons. So I already love it,” confessed another.
The residents have already accepted him into the family. It will officially be there in a few weeks.
See the testimonials in the video above.
