RÉSEAU SÉLECTION AND THE BREAKFAST CLUB OF CANADA BRING GENERATIONS TOGETHER WITH THE “BREAKFAST WITH THE KIDS!” INITIATIVE
Montréal, September 26, 2016 – Intergenerational dialogue starts at school, as the “Breakfast with the Kids!” initiative kicks off on October 27th. The project marks the start of a three-year partnership between Réseau Sélection and the Breakfast Club of Canada. This partnership is aimed at boosting self-esteem and pride in the young members of the Club, while valuing the place of seniors and generational interaction in society.
“Breakfast with the Kids!”
Initially, the project will involve retirees volunteering to prepare and serve breakfast to the little ones as part of an exchange based on themes like family, nature, communication and dreams. The opportunities to share knowledge and viewpoints are intended to illustrate generational differences and help both sides get to know the other better.
Lights, Camera, Action!
The entire process will be documented by videographers for the purpose of developing Web and television content. Starting in January 2017, the children and the seniors will take part in a cinematic adventure resulting in a four-episode documentary series slated for broadcast in April 2017. The series will be a legacy for the young members of the Club, highlighting their contribution to the project and giving them the chance to be involved in a television production.
“The Breakfast Club is jumping feet first into this inclusive project, which we believe will help nurture not just young people’s bodies, but also their souls and their self-esteem. It will also give them the opportunity to play an active role in a rewarding project they can be proud of,” said Daniel Germain, President and Founder of the Breakfast Club of Canada.
For a sustainable life together
Quebec has the second-fastest rate of ageing in the world behind Japan. The 65+ population is growing faster here than anywhere – by 2031, that segment will grow from 17% to 26% of the overall population.
“We must absolutely create a movement by introducing initiatives designed to prevent a generational gap. We’re doing this by promoting collaboration among different age groups in our population to encourage what we call a ‘sustainable life together’,” said Réseau Sélection President and CEO Réal Bouclin. A survey by SOM revealed that 80% of Quebecers and 87% of baby-boomers say they want to live in a neighbourhood that is home to people of different generations. “This project falls right in line with that dynamic, by looking at community life in a different way, with the sharing of each generation’s wealth of experience and knowledge,” said Bouclin.
Residents of Le Sélection-Laval retirement community will help out with the first phase of the project, by serving breakfast to the children at St. Paul de Laval primary school. At the same time, Réseau Sélection wants to bring together a large number of retirees to lend a hand with ad hoc Club activities, including collecting donations and helping raise public awareness of the importance of generational interaction for a “sustainable life together.” To that end, five public forums open to all retirees in Quebec will be held in October and November in Montréal, Québec City, Trois-Rivières, Laval and Vaudreuil. For more information about the schedule and to sign up, go to Breakfast with the Kids.
About the Breakfast Club
For over 20 years, the Breakfast Club has been nourishing children’s potential by making sure as many of them as possible have access to a healthy morning meal before school, in an environment that allows their self-esteem to grow and flourish. But the Club is much more than a breakfast program: we take a broader approach that promotes the core values of engagement, enrichment and empowerment and we team up with communities and local partners to develop solutions adapted to their specific needs. Every morning, throughout the school year, the Club welcomes 17,162 children at 283 schools across Quebec.
About Réseau Sélection
Réseau-Sélection has been developing and managing retirement home communities for over 25 years. As the leading private-sector player in its line of business in Canada, the company now has 35 residences in operation or under construction across Quebec. With a structure unique in Canada, Réseau Sélectionhas close to 3,000 employees serving the needs of some 8,500 residents and delivering a referral rate of 96%. In addition to creating an active and rewarding retirement for its residents, Réseau Sélection has also developed healthyIDtm, a lifestyle program focusing on health prevention and awareness for adopting healthy daily living habits so that residents “live better, longer.”
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Media contact:
France Gaignard
T.: 514 616-7705
france@pingcommunication.ca