Students at Collège de Maisonneuve in Montreal can now take part in brief listening sessions with an elderly volunteer for a symbolic fee of 25 cents. The program, launched on 13 August 2026, offers a structured opportunity for intergenerational dialogue, allowing young learners to converse with an older person in a setting arranged by the college.
The initiative is designed to create a space where students can share experiences, ask questions and simply listen to the perspectives of a senior volunteer. Participation requires the payment of a quarter‑dollar token, a nominal amount that underscores the low‑cost nature of the exchange while giving the encounter a tangible value.
Collège de Maisonneuve is coordinating the sessions, which are scheduled on campus and open to any enrolled student interested in the format. The elderly volunteer, whose involvement is central to the project, provides the listening component, offering personal stories and insights drawn from a lifetime of experience.
By pairing young adults with an older member of the community, the college aims to foster mutual understanding across generations. The brief format encourages concise, focused conversations, and the symbolic fee is intended to emphasize the accessibility of the program while reinforcing the notion that time and attention are valuable commodities.
The offering reflects a broader trend in educational institutions to incorporate community‑based learning experiences that go beyond traditional classroom instruction. While the sessions are limited in duration, they are positioned as a meaningful supplement to academic life, giving students a chance to develop empathy and communication skills through direct interaction with a senior voice.
Organizers anticipate that the modest cost and the unique intergenerational element will attract a steady stream of participants throughout the semester. The program remains open-ended, with the college planning to continue the arrangement as long as interest persists and the volunteer remains engaged.
Overall, the 25‑cent listening sessions represent a low‑barrier, community‑focused initiative that links Montreal’s youth with the wisdom of its older residents, reinforcing the college’s commitment to inclusive, experiential learning.