EXTRA MILES SENIOR VISITING PROGRAM

Extra Miles Senior Visiting Program was developed by a member of Montreal West United Church, following the 1998 ice storm. Joan Foster, a nurse at the NDG/Montréal-Ouest CLSC, realized that many seniors were housebound with hardly any outside contact. Except for medical appointments and sometimes a visiting nurse, seniors were mostly on their own.

Today, Extra Miles is a volunteer-based program to benefit seniors living in the communities of NDG/Montreal West. Following a referral received from a nurse or social worker at the CLSC NDG/Montréal-Ouest, volunteers try to reach out by visiting once a week. Companionship and support are greatly appreciated in what can otherwise be a very lonely life. As a friendly visitor, the volunteer can either listen actively or provide stimulating conversation. Common interests, such as reading, music, travel, even gardening, are bound to show up. Either way, it makes a senior feel needed and both are enriched with stories, anecdotes and life experiences. The volunteer brings the outside world in.

As well as our friendly visiting program, Extra Miles organizes an annual Intergenerational Activity with students from the local primary schools and seniors from the communities of NDG and Montreal West.

Musical Wednesday is the annual benefit concert courtesy of musicians from the OSM. This is an afternoon dedicated to seniors who do not have an opportunity to go to Place- des-Arts. Following the one hour concerts, seniors are invited to stay for tea and sweets.

This outreach program’s mission is to provide companionship to seniors, understanding the many challenges, and maintain their well-being.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Tracie Swim as the new Coordinator of the Extra Miles Friendly Visitation Program. Tracie started on May 17th, 2011.

MUSICAL WEDNESDAY

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in...

           “Anthem” by Leonard Cohen

On June 8th, 2011, the light not only found its way through a crack, following the 5th Annual Musical Wednesday at the Montreal West United Church (MWUC), the light burst open into rounds of enthusiastic applause and big smiles.

The concert benefiting Extra Miles and organized by the Outreach Committee of the MWUC was well attended by music lovers, Extra Miles supporters and several Montreal West/NDG community organizations serving the senior population.

This year, Eleanor Altman, vocalist and lyricist, Kristospher Epps, pianist and Ashley Daniel Foot, tenor, treated the audience to a program called “Songbook through the Ages”. The concert included folk songs, lullabies and modern Canadian treasures. The audience enjoyed songs like “Danny Boy” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”.

In the tradition of these concerts, the concert goers were invited for tea and sweets courtesy of many bakers from the MWUC. It is always a wonderful afternoon for seniors to gather, enjoy wonderful music and to engage with musicians, each other and the many volunteers from the community and the local schools.

Enjoy the summer and every little parcel of sunshine and stay tuned for our next intergenerational activity in the fall….