Tell Your Story

We are excited to announce the successful completion of our Combatting Ageism Together program, an initiative aimed at fostering community, breaking down generational divides, and promoting empathy and mutual understanding between seniors and younger generations. Over the course of the project, we organized three impactful workshops across Ontario and engaged over 55 participants through in-person and virtual sessions. In total, we collected 50 personal stories and gathered insights from 150 surveys. These efforts have made a meaningful contribution to addressing ageism and empowering individuals of all ages to actively participate in building more inclusive communities.

Key Achievements and Impact:

1. Intergenerational Dialogue Workshops
We held workshops in Oshawa, Hamilton, and virtually through Zoom, bringing together seniors and younger adults to engage in open conversations. These workshops provided a safe space for participants to share their personal experiences, challenge age-related biases, and learn from one another. The Oshawa workshop, for example, empowered seniors to voice their concerns and aspirations, while the virtual Zoom session allowed us to reach participants across Ontario, extending our impact and inclusivity.

2. Story Collection and Data Insights
Through storytelling sessions, we collected 50 stories that highlighted the lived experiences of seniors, shedding light on both the challenges and triumphs they face. These stories served as powerful tools in promoting intergenerational understanding and combating ageism. In addition, 150 survey responses provided valuable data on perceptions of ageism and intergenerational relationships, which will guide future advocacy efforts and inform policies aimed at creating a more inclusive society.

3. Community Engagement and Advocacy
By engaging over 55 participants, the program successfully facilitated meaningful conversations across generations. This dialogue is critical for dismantling generational barriers and fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of solidarity between seniors and younger generations. Additionally, the stories and data collected will help us advocate for policy changes and drive future programs that challenge ageism and promote intergenerational unity.

Looking Ahead: January 2025 and Beyond

Building on the success of Combatting Ageism Together, we are preparing to launch the next phase of our efforts with the Reflections on the Horizon program in January 2025. This new initiative will continue to foster community connectedness, providing opportunities for seniors and younger adults to engage in conversations that bridge generational gaps and promote empathy. We will also release a comprehensive Toolkit and Final Report to guide other communities and organizations in replicating this model and continuing the work of breaking down age-related divides.

Lessons Learned and Future Improvements

The Combatting Ageism Together project has provided valuable insights into areas where we can further improve and expand our impact:

• Enhanced Outreach and Engagement: We will continue to explore new strategies to reach underrepresented communities and encourage broader participation, including leveraging digital tools and community influencers.
• Diversified Workshop Formats: Offering a variety of workshop formats, such as smaller group discussions and interactive activities, will better cater to diverse learning preferences and increase participant engagement.
• Digital Literacy Initiatives: A key theme that emerged was the need for intergenerational communication in the digital age. Future programs will include workshops on digital literacy, social media etiquette, and online safety to help bridge the digital divide between generations.

Success Story: Bridging the Digital Divide

One of the most impactful success stories emerged from our discussions about the communication gaps between older and younger generations, especially in the digital realm. Participants shared concerns about the digital divide, where older adults often feel left behind in online interactions due to differences in technological literacy and language use. This insight sparked discussions on developing inclusive digital spaces and resources that can empower seniors to engage more effectively online.

As we look ahead, one of the key priorities for January 2025 will be the creation of digital skills workshops and intergenerational communication strategies that ensure both seniors and younger people can better understand and connect with each other in online spaces.

Conclusion

The Combatting Ageism Together program has laid a solid foundation for future efforts to combat ageism, promote intergenerational solidarity, and build inclusive communities. The successful completion of our workshops, the collection of personal stories, and the survey insights have all contributed to a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in fostering an age-inclusive society.

We are excited to continue this work in January 2025 with the Combatting Ageism program and look forward to releasing our toolkit and report that will help others replicate these efforts in their own communities. Together with our partners and senior organizations, we are committed to building a future where people of all ages feel valued, heard, and respected.

We invite others to join us in this journey, as we work to create a society where intergenerational connections are nurtured, ageism is challenged, and everyone, regardless of age, thrives.