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director role, taking on a position unlike any
she’d had before. “I had never in my life run an
organization where I had to fundraise and work
with kids and seniors alike,” Sinclair says. “But I
am so fortunate because I found my passion.”
Sinclair’s passion for her work is palpable —
and quantitative. When she took over Linking
Generations, the organization was running two
to three in-school programs. Since then, they
have expanded to six with the help of Edmonton
Community Foundation (ECF).
In 2023, ECF provided a $13,900 Small Grant
to the organization to expand its capacity. The
funding allowed Linking Generations to create
additional programming, designed to service
members of the senior community who weren’t
interested or able to participate in the in-school
programs. The first addition was a share-and-
care program, where elementary students visit
seniors in long-term care facilities.
“Meaningful relationships are essential to
mental well-being,” Tracey Gleason, Donor
Grants Associate at ECF says. “When people feel
a sense of belonging and purpose, communities
thrive. Linking Generations is doing an
outstanding job of fostering those connections
and strengthening the fabric of our community.”
To pilot the share-and-care program, Linking
Generations approached a school they had an
excellent working relationship with; the whole
school got involved. “Every single week, a different
class would go, and we watched these seniors who
sometimes are sitting in wheelchairs, who are not
engaged — they just beamed.”
10 Together we thrive
They also added a volunteer grandparent
program, where seniors who are still living at
home can participate in structured visits to
high schools and share their stories with youth.
They now have over 100 students participating
in the program.
Sinclair says the organization’s growth is
a sign that there is demand for programs like
theirs, but the organization is careful not to
expand too quickly. “We make sure before we
do any type of expansion that the funding is
there, and that we can sustain that program for a
minimum of five years.”
This patience reflects the thoughtful
approach Linking Generations takes when
engaging with seniors and students. Sinclair
understands that her organization is building
lasting friendships — many of which continue
after students graduate from the program.
Linking Generations’ programs are
over subscribed by students each year, in
part because students want to make these
connections as much as seniors. As she looks to
the future, Sinclair is focused on maintaining all
the work they’ve done in the community — all
the friendships they’ve fostered, and on finding
ways to responsibly grow. The success Linking
Generations has had proves that there is demand
for intergenerational relationships. They just
need fostering and support.