Under the warm glow of twinkle lights, a group of older adults recently enjoyed a traditional prom experience, from the balloon arch to the packed dance floor, at Linhaven Long-Term Care Home – some of them for the first time ever.

Brock University partnered with Linhaven for the Sept. 12 event, providing a DJ who curated the soundtrack for the evening, a cut flower for every resident in attendance and student volunteers who helped to make the event a success.

The celebration also coincided with Brock Cares Day of Service, the University’s biggest annual day of community volunteering.

When Emily Poole, the third-year Concurrent Teacher Education student heard about the prom, it immediately caught her interest.  A repeat Brock Cares Day of Service participant, Poole signed up as a site leader this year and was excited to spend the day at the prom for older adults.

“I’ve always enjoyed bringing people together, and Brock Cares Day of Service is always the perfect opportunity to contribute to the Niagara community in a meaningful way with a group of like-minded students,” said Poole.

The prom proved to be a fun and engaging opportunity to give back for 25 student volunteers who were able to help create an enjoyable day for the older adults in attendance.

“Seeing a diverse group of people connect over one event and create lasting memories is something I will always carry with me. I noticed after the event all the volunteers continued to discuss how meaningful and memorable the experience was,” Poole said.

Avery Downton was tasked with handing out flowers to residents at the prom. With several different colours for them to choose from, the first-year Concurrent Teacher Education student said her favourite part of the event was hearing the residents’ stories about why those certain colours.

“I had a couple of friends choose a yellow rose and a pink rose to trade flowers with each other and celebrate their friendship. I also had several husbands come up to me and ask for a flower to surprise their wives, which was really sweet,” she said.

More than 60 residents from Niagara Region long-term care homes and their family members attended. While the majority were from Linhaven, more than a dozen joined them from D.H. Rapelje Lodge in Welland, Northland Pointe in Port Colborne and Woodlands of Sunset in Pelham.

Bringing together students and older adults, the intergenerational experience brought a lot of joy to long-term care residents, said Heather Wild, Program Manager at Linhaven.

“There were endless smiles, lots of dancing, wonderful reminiscing, meaningful conversations and new friendships formed along the way. These special connections between generations remind us of the joy that comes from learning, sharing and simply spending time together,” she said.

Linhaven already has plans to partner with Brock student volunteers again later this fall, with events set for Thanksgiving and Halloween.

“We are grateful for the many community partners who host our students as part of our Brock Cares program,” said Kristen Smith, Manager Off Campus and Community Experience. “This is a great way for students to connect with community-minded peers, as well as University staff and faculty as they start the year.”

Partnering with 18 organizations across the region, 150 students volunteered as part of Brock Cares Day of Service. They were able to choose from opportunities at 28 sites, ranging from community clean-ups and a park revitalization to food bank donation sorting and event set up at Niagara Polo or the Big Move Cancer Ride.

Students also made harm reduction kits for Positive Living Niagara, did donation outreach for Canadian Blood Serv

ices and helped Brock roll out the Welcome Wagon.

Smith said these opportunities help students gain a better understanding of the needs that exist in the Niagara region and the work being done by community organizations to address them.

This marked the start of Student Life and Success’ Brock Cares programming for the year. Upcoming events include a Volunteer Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 22 and monthly Brock Cares events for students to volunteer as a group to support community partner projects.