Thank you very much.

Good afternoon to the HUMA committee.

We appreciate the opportunity to be here, and we thank MP Van Bynen for bringing forward intergenerational volunteerism for consideration by the committee.

I'm the CEO of CHATS, Community and Home Assistance to Seniors, one of the largest multicultural non-profit seniors organizations in Ontario, serving some 8,000 older adults and their caregivers in York Region and South Simcoe. Our mission is to enable seniors to have the choice to live with dignity in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

We believe the power of intergenerational volunteerism is tremendous. We see the benefits every day in our work as we strive to improve the health and well-being of seniors in our communities.

This discussion is timely for three reasons: first, demographic shifts in the older adult population impact the pool of seniors who are volunteering; second, increasing social isolation amongst older adults calls for renewed approaches to engaging both young and old in supporting seniors in the community; and finally, intergenerational volunteerism has considerable potential to address systemic ageism in our society.

Seniors are an important part of Canada's volunteer workforce, but demographic changes have also impacted volunteerism. Older adults are more likely to contribute more hours on average than any other age group, with an average of 218 hours annually. Those who do volunteer report better overall physical and emotional health and well-being.

However, older adults are remaining in the labour force longer. We have seen workforce participation rates for those 65 and older more than double in the last 20 years, and this impacts their availability for volunteer activities. The potential decrease in the pool of seniors as volunteers is important, because one of the most pressing issues among older adults is social isolation. Numerous studies have shown that social isolation can have significant consequences on the physical and mental health of seniors, and it's not just a matter of loneliness. It can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases, depression and a diminished quality of life.

Intergenerational volunteers bring fresh perspectives, energy and enthusiasm that can breathe new purpose into the lives of seniors. Connecting younger generations with seniors fosters not only a sense of community but also invaluable support and companionship. Our programs at CHATS illustrate this impact. Students have engaged in activities, meals, social interaction and relationship building. Of note was a digital storytelling initiative that supported connections between elderly clients and youth.

Prior to the pandemic, CHATS would have monthly visits from preschool-aged kids and weekly visits from students from St. Andrew's College. We partnered with 360ºkids, an organization that supports youth at risk, engaging them in preparing and serving meals to our adult day program clients. The pandemic did impede the in-person engagement of our young volunteers, but we're slowly gaining them back. This year, students from Pickering College have been collaborating with our clients to build birdhouses.

The benefits of intergenerational volunteerism are not one-sided. Studies show that youth who engage in volunteer activities with seniors gain a greater appreciation for the wisdom and experiences of older generations. This fosters empathy, understanding and a stronger sense of community among our youth.

This brings me to my third point: the value of intergenerational volunteerism as a way to address systemic ageism in our society.

I'd like to refer you to the Government of Canada's 2022 discussion guide on ageism in Canada, which identified young people, health care professionals, government policies and employers as groups most often demonstrating age-based discrimination. It's important for us to understand these trends and to adapt our strategies to engage different age groups effectively. By spending more time with older adults and providing meaningful engagement opportunities that bring the generations together, we can encourage a sense of understanding and respect between them.

CHATS recently launched a new initiative called the volunteer program refresh, made possible with funding from the Government of Canada's community services recovery fund. The purpose is to create and implement a new vision and model for CHATS' volunteer program. As we build our program back to full strength following the pandemic, we're actively working on engaging a broader volunteer demographic and expanding our volunteer activities.

Because of the enormous benefit from volunteers, our federal government can continue to play a crucial role in promoting and encouraging intergenerational volunteerism, and I'd like to share three opportunities to continue growing the area.

First, through policy and funding, our government can encourage participation in programs that bring different generations together. An initiative such as the New Horizons for Seniors program is an excellent example of the direction we must continue to pursue. While the program rightly supports community-based projects that are designed for seniors by seniors, I believe we could also include youth-driven proposals or collaboration projects to find new models of intergenerational activity.

Second, education and awareness will also foster this much-needed connectivity. The creation of Intergenerational Day provides a launch pad for numerous opportunities and education to raise awareness and garner support.

Third, the federal government should form long-term partnerships with organizations that promote intergenerational connections. These partnerships would benefit from resources that allow for scaling, promotion and collaboration.

Intergenerational volunteerism is not just about helping others. It's about enriching our communities and ourselves. It's about learning from each other, sharing experiences and building a stronger, more inclusive Canada.

I urge each one of you to consider that intergenerational volunteerism is not just a solution. It's an investment in the well-being and vibrancy of our communities. The rewards are immeasurable and the impact profound.

I thank you for your time.