Students at Collège de Maisonneuve in Montreal are offered a chance to converse with a senior volunteer for a symbolic fee of 25 cents. The initiative, launched on Thursday, August 13, 2026, invites college students to listen to and ask questions of an elderly participant, fostering intergenerational dialogue in a structured setting.
The program is based on a simple premise: a nominal payment grants a student a brief session of conversation with a senior volunteer. By setting the cost at a quarter of a dollar, the organizers aim to remove financial barriers while underscoring the value of the exchange. Participants are expected to engage respectfully, using the opportunity to learn from the life experiences of the older individual.
Collège de Maisonneuve, located in the heart of Montreal, Quebec, serves as the venue for these interactions. The college’s administration has facilitated the arrangement, providing space and coordination for the sessions. The senior volunteer, whose background is not detailed, offers personal stories and answers to student inquiries, creating a two‑way learning environment.
The concept aligns with broader efforts to promote intergenerational contact, a practice that has gained attention for its potential to reduce social isolation among older adults and to broaden the perspectives of younger people. By pairing students with a senior for a brief, low‑cost conversation, the program seeks to achieve these goals without imposing significant logistical or financial demands.
The inaugural meeting took place in the evening of August 13, 2026, at 20:06:34 GMT, marking the start of what organizers hope will become a recurring feature of campus life. While the fee remains symbolic, the value placed on the exchange is emphasized through the structured format, encouraging students to approach the dialogue with curiosity and respect.
As the program continues, its impact will be measured by the number of participants and the depth of the conversations that develop, offering a modest yet meaningful bridge between generations within the Montreal community.