While many lessons at St. Clair College are taught in the classroom and others are gained through hands-on experience, some of the most meaningful insights come simply from sitting down and listening to our elders.
Kaye Brown, a neighbour at the Village at St. Clair, sits with members of St. Clair College and Schlegel Villages for a Green Bench Elder Wisdom event in June 2025. (Alexandra Frabotta/St. Clair College)
That's what happened during a recent visit by Kaye Brown, a neighbour at the nearby Schlegel Village at St. Clair - located on the south end of the College's Main Windsor Campus.
It's part of the "Elder Wisdom" program, where Schlegel Villages brings a green bench and connects students and elders through engaging conversations.
Students in the Social Service Worker - Gerontology program greeted Kaye and listened to her stories, bridging generations, one meaningful conversation at a time.
"The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders," said Ron Schlegel, the founder of Schlegel Villages.
And that's been the mantra of this program, which started small in 2016 with a single bench - but has since grown into a national campaign, travelling across Ontario as a powerful symbol to combat ageism, and encouraging people to slow down, take a seat and connect with a senior.
Alexandra Frabotta, the program coordinator for the Social Service Worker - Gerontology program, said about 20 of her students took the time to engage with Kaye Brown in very authentic ways.
"Engaging in conversations around the Green Bench not only fostered empathy and active listening skills but also helped the students appreciate the value of life experience beyond textbooks and lectures," said Frabotta. "This experience broadened the students' understanding of aging and intergenerational relationships."
"We are so grateful to Kaye for sharing her stories and eager to meet with her again soon," Frabotta added.
The goals of the Green Bench program are to serve as a source of guidance and inspiration, preserve cultural and historical knowledge, bridge generational gaps and enhance personal growth - for both the elder and the captive listener.
"The students showed genuine curiosity and respect, and Kaye responded to the students with such warmth and patience," Frabotta said. "I saw students walk away inspired, smiling, and often surprised by the depth of connection they were able to build in just one conversation."
"When we make space for intergenerational dialogue and relationship building, we grow, engage in wisdom-sharing, and build human connection that textbooks simply can't teach," she added.
A number of agency partners also attended the event, including the South Asian Centre of Windsor, Hotel Dieu's Elder Life Program, Lifetimes on Riverside, Seasons Royal Oak Retirement Village in LaSalle, Réseau-Femmes du Sud-Ouest de l'Ontario- Windsor Essex, The Alzheimer Society and The Parkinson Society of Southwestern Ontario.
This helped create an engaging and informative experience for students who took the time to participate.
"Actively engaging as a dedicated community partner with Schlegel Villages allows us to deepen our connections and provide essential support through the comprehensive Social Service Worker - Gerontology program. By collaborating closely, we can create a vibrant and nurturing environment that not only values but also celebrates the rich life experiences of our elders," said Biagio Lattuca, the Chair of the School of Community Studies.
"Together, we strive to enhance their quality of life, ensuring they feel respected and cherished within our community, while also promoting a culture of mutual support and well-being for all residents."
"By integrating experiential learning into our curriculum, we empower the next generation to acquire valuable hands-on experience and cultivate a deeper understanding of their field, thereby creating a connection between students and the community they serve."
