Pointe-Claire honoured for program pairing young people and seniors

Valerie Villeneuve cleans Monique Eggers's home.

The City of Pointe-Claire has been honoured for a program that pairs youth with senior citizens.

“It's an award for social development in the city within the province of Quebec and it's an award given out by the Union of Municipalities in Quebec,” explained Pointe-Claire Mayor Morris Trudeau.

The Aid for Seniors program started small in 1984.

“It started off with a grant from the federal government, with five or six summer students and a hundred or so seniors from Pointe-Claire,” said Trudeau.

It has since grown to benefit 3,500 Pointe-Claire seniors with more than 18 programs, events and services.

The city supports the program with a $600,000 budget. It employs 50 young people between the ages of 18 and 25.

The biggest asset of the program is help around the home, but there are also intergenerational social activities, phone calls and visits, all aimed to improving the quality of life for seniors.

Monique Eggers, 76, gets help with the cleaning around her home every second week and said she looks forward to each visit.

“I'm waiting for her at nine o’clock, the door is open and she just comes in. It's a big relief,” she said. “She does my bathroom, because I can't and she passes the vacuum and she washes the floor.”

Concordia student Valerie Villeneuve said the experience has changed her life.

“I'm genuinely excited to see my clients, see how they're doing, share stories and moments with them. I have a bond with each and every one of my clients,” she said.