Connected Across Generations: Cooper and Sara’s Experience in The Legacy Project
Every senior has a lifetime of stories, experiences and wisdom worth preserving. Through Circle of Care’s Annual Legacy Project, student volunteers and seniors come together to build genuine connections, bridge generations, and learn from one another. Each student is matched with a senior, and spend time listening to their memories, and learning from their experiences. Those conversations become the inspiration for artistic keepsakes that the students create to honour each person’s unique legacy.
In mid-August, the students presented their creative projects at the Legacy Showcase to seniors, families, and loved ones. The senior recipients were deeply moved by the poems, paintings, drawings, videos, and memory boxes that the students created for them.
Through this program, students Cooper and Sara were matched with Karl and his wife Barbara. Over the course of the summer, Cooper and Sara created a journal with a poem, family photos, and stories of Karl and Barbara’s life together. We spoke with Cooper and Sara to learn more about their experience in The Legacy Project.
What program will you be starting this fall?
Cooper: Criminology at the University of Guelph. I’ve always had an interest in law and would like to become a defence lawyer.
Sara: Practical Nursing at Seneca Polytechnic.
What inspired you to join The Legacy Project?
Cooper: I have always volunteered with my mom, starting from when I was young. It’s a big part of our relationship. It was a great opportunity to continue volunteering with Sara and supporting seniors.
What did you learn through this program?
Cooper: I was paired with Karl, and he told me that one of his biggest regrets is that he didn’t do enough with his life. He felt that he never spent any money, never went on vacation, and always worked. I related to that a lot since I also work full-time at my dad’s law firm. It made me think there’s more to life than work. After talking with Karl, I might want to change my lifestyle so I can enjoy it more and live it to the fullest. It feels like advice that I’m going to take to heart as I grow older.
Karl and I also have similar interests around business—he managed different businesses over the past 60 years. He was so helpful in explaining to me how to talk to people and how to build connections with others.
Sara: I learned that I could be crafty and artistic. It really opened up that skill for me in the process. Barb also gave me advice. She shared that finding something that you love to do is really important. That way, you’re able to wake up and look forward to your work everyday. Barb was most proud of being a teacher. It was good to learn that advice from her directly through the program.
While this year’s program may have come to a close, the knowledge shared, the advice exchanged, and the meaningful relationships built between the students and seniors who participated in this program will have a long-lasting impact. These connections have not only enriched the experience for everyone involved but will continue to inspire learning, mentorship, and engagement in the future.
As we celebrate the International Year of Volunteers, this program serves as a powerful reminder of the value that volunteerism brings to individuals and communities, especially for young student volunteers. Volunteerism through programs like The Legacy Project offer students like Cooper and Sara valuable experiences that can help them build confidence, develop skills that will serve them both in work and life, and foster a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives that exist between generations.
If you’re interested in volunteering with us, we have many flexible opportunities available for students. Visit our Volunteer page to learn more.
