Coming together
Seniors, children coming together for Truro mentoring project
New program that creates partnerships by matching seniors with children a win-win.
Bringing young people and seniors together is the goal of a project being launched in Truro on June 21.
Truro Police Service is using funding from a federal grant from the New Horizons for Seniors Program to create partnerships that will match seniors with children.
The senior mentors will act as a positive role model and share life experience.
“Both seniors and youth are target demographics for us,” said Truro Police Chief Dave MacNeil. “People who are retired have a lot to offer and this will provide benefits for both seniors and youth.”
Truro Police Services has partnered with community agencies, and SchoolsPlus, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Truro Inclusion Society will identify youth interested in taking part in the program.
St Mary’s University will provide training for those willing to volunteer as mentors.
Michelle Meisner, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester, said that organization usually has a waiting list of 40-50 children, and
those with a mentor are more likely to stay in school, show respect, help others and feel better about themselves.
“We represent a group with differing challenges, and within that demographic there is a real need,” said Maura Hunter, who is with the Truro Inclusion Project.
“Often, the only social network
these child have is school itself. We’ve been working to implement change in the community.”
There will be an information session on the project June 21, at 6:30 p.m., in the community room at the Truro police station.
Anyone interested in learning more is invited to attend.