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Connection Resources

Connect With Purpose

COVID-19 UPDATE

Covid -19 update – We believe that each of us has the power to make a difference in the lives of others during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our suggestion is to use The GenWell Project as your catalyst to reach out, virtually, to those who might benefit from your outreach. A simple conversation can make a huge difference in the life of someone who is isolated and disconnected during this time and make a difference in your life as well. Reaching out and offering your time and energy to an organization that is helping others is also a great way to feel more connected and have greater purpose at a time when many are struggling with the challenges of the pandemic.

We are so thrilled that you clicked through to our Connect with Purpose page. The GenWell Project is a Human Connection Movement that first and foremost, wants to help people get connected face-to-face with others and experience the fun and health benefits of doing so. For some people a BBQ with colleagues or classmates, a walk with friends or family or maybe a street long activity is exactly what is needed, but for some others that action can be difficult. Building greater human connection through volunteerism is a great way to find purpose, build connection and help the people in your very own community. Whether a food bank, local community center, seniors residence, homeless shelter, or so much more, the connections that you build over time may be exactly what the doctor ordered. While doing good you are building the connections that can keep you and those around you happier and healthier.

A big thank you to our community partners for their suggestions on how those who are getting together face to face can make the world a better place at the same time.

ENVIRONMENT

Bike Pool

Consider dusting off your bikes, grab a few friends, neighbours, coworkers or classmates and go for a ride to work, school or on a nearby bike trail or park. Commuting by bike is great for your health, helps improve local air quality and can help build positive social connection habits.

Tree Planting

On GenWell Weekend or anytime throughout the year, organize a tree planting event in your neighbourhood or your front-yard with friends, family and neighbours. Many municipalities and local environmental organizations can supply you with trees and tips for a community planting event, all while getting connected!

Litter Cleanup

Why not get your group together and do some good while you are at it! Grab some gloves, garbage bags and a few friends to pick up litter at a local park, beach or green space. Building connections while doing good for your community is a great way to build connections that can support you year round!

Local Food Waste-less Potluck

Host a local, in-season potluck for your friends, classmates, coworkers or neighbours. To further reduce the environmental impact of your potluck use local, in-season ingredients, cook more plant-based meals; and use reusable utensils and plates instead of plastic ones. Breaking bread with others is a proven way to build greater connection.

Clothing Swap

Gather a few friends and donate or swap some lightly-used outfits to refresh your wardrobe and support others. It also keeps those clothes out of the landfill and benefits the environment. Connecting with others to help the planet (and each other) is a great way to build meaningful connections.

Marginalized Communities

Volunteer Your Time at a Seniors Home

The pandemic has raised the consciousness of everyone about the need that our seniors have to stay socially connected. When it is safe to do so, reach out to your local seniors home and see if there is an opportunity to come in and connect with the residents before the next crisis arrives. Building meaningful connection when there isn’t a crisis, builds the bonds that help peoples stay healthy and resilient in good times and bad. Maybe the occasional chat, game of cards or story telling conversation is exactly what you both needed today.

Have a Coffee With an Elderly Neighbour

The GenWell Project is the perfect excuse to reach out to your neighbour and get connected face-to-face. Maybe a coffee, a trip to the store or some homemade cookies. Whatever it is, make the effort to get connected and make someone’s life happier and healthier.

Invite Someone With Reduced Mobility Over For a BBQ

Know someone with reduced mobility or a disability? How about getting a few peeps together and helping that person make their way over to a neighbourhood or family BBQ or potluck. Research has clearly shown that people with disabilities have a greater sense of loneliness than the general population. Your outreach could make all the difference in building a sense of belonging and connection

Offer Your Time to Make, Serve or Deliver Meals to Those in Need

Maybe you or your group could do some delivery for Meals On Wheels or another organization, to help connect with the elderly while delivering much needed food. Start with the good, finish with the incredible feelings and stories of the people you met and nothing will create a better connection between you and those who you served.

Community

Get a group of people together to refurbish a sports field or community center

Make The GenWell Project and GenWell Weekend your excuse to gather the local community together to fix up a baseball diamond, put lines on a field or clean up a community centre. Refurbishing places of great connection will drive impact for days, weeks and months to come.

Reach out to your local service club to see if they have a project that they would like your help with?

For many of us, the giving of time may have more meaning and more impact than ever giving money. If someone else has a project, how about reaching out and lending a hand. Rotary, Lions, Kinsmen, Progress. Many of these organizations were built on connecting a community and making a difference for all.

Invite a New Canadian over for a meal

Know someone in your neighbourhood or in your building that is new to your city? How about making The GenWell Project the excuse to reach out and invite them over for a meal? Amazing things happen when people come together face-to-face.Your outreach can have a huge impact on building a sense of belonging for them and a sense of purpose for you.

Youth

Walking School Bus

On the Friday of GenWell Weekend how about getting outside and walking with your kids and neighbours to school. Walking is a clean and green way to get around and help the environment.

Lead a sporting activity for your neighbourhood kids

GenWell Weekends are the perfect time for adults to model the behaviors that they would like to see in their kids. Put down the technology, step off the treadmill and arrange a sporting activity for all the kids in the school, on the street or in the neighbourhood.

Volunteer your local Boys and Girls club

Within each of our communities there are opportunities to support young people who want to get connected through sport, the arts and through other activities. How about reaching out and seeing how you might be able to lend a hand to your local Boys and Girls club or other community organization.

Organize games and activities for children in hospitals

Anyone know how to be a clown? Maybe Darth Vader? Batman? Superman or any other superhero? Maybe you are a 4 in a Row expert? How about a Beyblade battle expert? Whatever you are, maybe you could reach out to a local hospital, community centre, day care or other facility and offer to go in and spend some time connecting with kids.

Causes

Volunteer at the Daily Bread Food Bank.

Grab your team and go work a shift at your local food bank. A great way to get connected while making a difference in the lives of the people who need it most. Click of more information.

Do a Habitat for Humanity Build

Grab some friends or maybe the team at the office and get connected while helping build someone’s future home. Shelter is one of life’s most fundamental needs and we are sure the connections you make while doing good will last a lifetime.Click of more information.

Volunteer your local Boys and Girls club

Within each of our communities there are opportunities to support young people who want to get connected through sport, the arts and through other activities. How about reaching out and seeing how you might be able to lend a hand to your local Boys and Girls club or other community organization.

Organize games and activities for children in hospitals

Anyone know how to be a clown? Maybe Darth Vader? Batman? Superman or any other superhero? Maybe you are a 4 in a Row expert? How about a Beyblade battle expert? Whatever you are, maybe you could reach out to a local hospital, community centre, day care or other facility and offer to go in and spend some time connecting with kids.

Animals

Volunteer at the Local Animal Shelter

The global pandemic has highlighted the importance of animals in our lives. I am sure there are a few great pets who would love the opportunity to connect or get out for a walk with some amazing human beings. The connections that we make with animals can have tremendous health benefits for all.

If you don’t see something that inspires you to reach out and get started as a volunteer and support a cause or project that you find a connection with, or to build greater human connection for your health or those you connect with, we encourage you to check out www.volunteercanada.ca for additional opportunities.