It's a few days before the spookiest day of the year – Halloween – and Kensington Health’s Second Mile Club is buzzing with activity. The room is filled with sounds of laughter, chatter, and the tinkling of a piano. Students from the University of Toronto have joined the older adults of the Second Mile Club to engage in an intergenerational activity fit for the season – building haunted houses made of chocolate bars.
Established in 1937, the Second Mile Club has been providing community support services to the City of Toronto for more than 80 years. They offer safe, recreational spaces with accessible, welcoming services for older adults and adults living with disabilities. Recreational activities include line dancing, oil painting, lawn bowling, computer courses, group lunches - and today, building haunted houses with special guests!
Becca Buttigieg, Day Program Manager/Program Coordinator, says the Halloween event is part of a years-long collaboration with the University of Toronto and its Community Action Programs, or CAPs. CAPs are year-long volunteer opportunities where students can meet like-minded peers, gain hands-on skills, and learn about social issues in their communities.
Becca worked with Terence Velox, Coordinator of Co-curricular Learning at the university, to organize the intergenerational activity.
“Relationships easily blossom between the students and older adults,” she says. “Some of our members are socially isolated due to distance from family, while others have limited opportunities to connect with friends outside of the Second Mile Club. This partnership offers them a wonderful chance to interact with kind, giving students.”
CAPs fall under the umbrella of the university’s Centre for Community Partnerships and aim to promote community-engaged learning and research. Today’s event is particularly special because it features domestic and international students from across the globe, representing diverse fields of study. Students from the University’s Ontario institute for Studies in Education (OISE), undergraduate students, and students in the English Language Program (ELP) all came together to enjoy the fun and nostalgia of Halloween with Second Mile Club members.
Mary, a Second Mile Club Member
Mary, a member of the Second Mile Club, learned about the special event when she dropped by. “It’s a creative idea,” she says. Mary has a strong connection to Japan, and particularly valued the opportunity to connect with the Japanese students. She hopes this type of interaction between generations and cultures continues. “It’s a wonderful experience as everyone is open. I hope we can continue to exchange opinions, attitudes and promote more diversity.”
Aya, a University of Toronto student from Japan
Aya, a student who built a haunted house with Mary, came from Japan to study at the University of Toronto, where she majored in social studies and now focuses on studying English. She enjoys living and learning in Toronto and has made friends from all around the world.
Aya’s background volunteering in Japan made her excited about joining CAPs. She says that the partnership with Kensington’s Second Mile Club makes her want to volunteer event more. “When I talk with older adults, I can give new inspiration, share my opinion and even give advice.”
The Halloween event is also an opportunity for Second Mile Club members to support Aya in return. “Mary and Kitty were fun and friendly and asked engaging questions,” she says. “I’m not the best at speaking English, but their questions made me think hard to respond.”
Aya has a message for anyone considering volunteering with older adults. “Just join!” she says. “Don’t be shy about trying new things. It’s a good opportunity to connect with others, gain new perspectives and practice your English while helping the community.”
University of Toronto Students posing for a group photo with their haunted KitKat house
In the midst of the Halloween season, this partnership between Second Mile Club and the University of Toronto’s CAPs program showcases the spirit of intergenerational bonding and community engagement. Students and older adults alike benefit from coming together to build connections, share experiences and create new memories.
It’s a reminder that Halloween is not just about tricks and treats, but also building bridges across generations and celebrating the diversity that enriches our communities.