The Old School Bus
Donation protected
Who We Are
Old School Intergenerational projects is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create opportunities for generations to connect through the arts.
Old School was founded and is run by, artists and educators Claire Rouleau and Erin Winsor. Claire and Erin are both graduates of Sheridan College’s Music Theatre Performance Program and have significant professional and personal experience working with seniors and young people.
Claire and Erin facilitated a Pen Pal Project for two years whereby grade six students and residents at several seniors’ homes in St. Johns connected through written word, theatre, dance, and music. Old School also offered a project called Telephone Tunes to isolated seniors throughout both Covid-19 lockdowns in the province. This project connected professional and community artists to seniors through music.
What We Do
Old School offers intergenerational arts programs that break down internal and external stigmas about aging and abilities; improve physical health such as coordination, joint mobility, breathing control; and increase participation in other daily activities.
Some examples include skill-sharing workshops, live accessible performances, and reminiscence work.
Why it is important:
- Newfoundland and Labrador's population is aging. The median age is expected to increase from 47.1 years to 50.8 years by 2040.
- Seniors province-wide are struggling with isolation due to the limitations of Covid-19 safety measures.
- Migration of young people from the province and immigration of new Canadians to the province leaves families cut off from extended family members, young or old.
- Create social contact and friendships and enable social-emotional learning and cultural exchange/understanding.
- Young people are facing interpersonal and social difficulties due to the presence of technology in their lives.
- Older adults are struggling to keep abreast of societal and technological changes in their own communities.
- Outlet for thought, exploration, and play and validates each individual's contributions and experiences. Programs can also increase confidence, self-esteem, and feelings of accomplishment.
EXCITING News!
Old School Intergenerational Projects has been awarded $23,999 from The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) run by the Government of Canada. The NHSP provides funding for projects that make a difference in the lives of seniors and their communities.
Click here to see CBC coverage of the funding announcement
Project #1: Retrofit of a 2008 Bluebird school bus. The bus will serve as a mobile arts programming space, administrative and creative space for the non-profit, and as transportation for supplies and services.
Project #2: Create and develop a participatory, non-verbal show which will make theatre experiences accessible to seniors whose mobility, language, or memory prevents them from engaging in traditional theatre events.
Call for Support
As a new non-profit organization Old School is seeking community donations and/or corporate sponsorships to assist in purchasing the bus and manifesting these exciting plans to make a difference in the lives of seniors through the arts!
Anticipated Costs:
Bus - $10,000
Painting of bus: $6,000
Accessibility Ramp/Lift: $8,000
Taxes of cost of bus: $2,400
Insurance: $5,500
Gas: $2,000
In lieu of monetary donations, within the bronze level, we will gratefully accept:
- Electrical expertise
- Indoor parking
- Construction space
We are accepting community donations at www.gofundme.com
If you are interested in becoming an Old School sponsor, please write to [email redacted] or call Erin Winsor at (709) [phone redacted].
Click here to visit our website
If you donate over $100, please email us your mailing information to receive a "Friends of Old School" special note!
Old School Intergenerational projects is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create opportunities for generations to connect through the arts.
Old School was founded and is run by, artists and educators Claire Rouleau and Erin Winsor. Claire and Erin are both graduates of Sheridan College’s Music Theatre Performance Program and have significant professional and personal experience working with seniors and young people.
Claire and Erin facilitated a Pen Pal Project for two years whereby grade six students and residents at several seniors’ homes in St. Johns connected through written word, theatre, dance, and music. Old School also offered a project called Telephone Tunes to isolated seniors throughout both Covid-19 lockdowns in the province. This project connected professional and community artists to seniors through music.
What We Do
Old School offers intergenerational arts programs that break down internal and external stigmas about aging and abilities; improve physical health such as coordination, joint mobility, breathing control; and increase participation in other daily activities.
Some examples include skill-sharing workshops, live accessible performances, and reminiscence work.
Why it is important:
- Newfoundland and Labrador's population is aging. The median age is expected to increase from 47.1 years to 50.8 years by 2040.
- Seniors province-wide are struggling with isolation due to the limitations of Covid-19 safety measures.
- Migration of young people from the province and immigration of new Canadians to the province leaves families cut off from extended family members, young or old.
- Create social contact and friendships and enable social-emotional learning and cultural exchange/understanding.
- Young people are facing interpersonal and social difficulties due to the presence of technology in their lives.
- Older adults are struggling to keep abreast of societal and technological changes in their own communities.
- Outlet for thought, exploration, and play and validates each individual's contributions and experiences. Programs can also increase confidence, self-esteem, and feelings of accomplishment.
EXCITING News!
Old School Intergenerational Projects has been awarded $23,999 from The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) run by the Government of Canada. The NHSP provides funding for projects that make a difference in the lives of seniors and their communities.
Click here to see CBC coverage of the funding announcement
Project #1: Retrofit of a 2008 Bluebird school bus. The bus will serve as a mobile arts programming space, administrative and creative space for the non-profit, and as transportation for supplies and services.
Project #2: Create and develop a participatory, non-verbal show which will make theatre experiences accessible to seniors whose mobility, language, or memory prevents them from engaging in traditional theatre events.
Call for Support
As a new non-profit organization Old School is seeking community donations and/or corporate sponsorships to assist in purchasing the bus and manifesting these exciting plans to make a difference in the lives of seniors through the arts!
Anticipated Costs:
Bus - $10,000
Painting of bus: $6,000
Accessibility Ramp/Lift: $8,000
Taxes of cost of bus: $2,400
Insurance: $5,500
Gas: $2,000
In lieu of monetary donations, within the bronze level, we will gratefully accept:
- Electrical expertise
- Indoor parking
- Construction space
We are accepting community donations at www.gofundme.com
If you are interested in becoming an Old School sponsor, please write to [email redacted] or call Erin Winsor at (709) [phone redacted].
Click here to visit our website
If you donate over $100, please email us your mailing information to receive a "Friends of Old School" special note!
Organizer
Old School Intergenerational Projects
Organizer
St. John's, NL
