Baking cookies, painting, swapping stories - Our Lady of the Bay student Makena Janzen is proving that teenagers and seniors have more in common than you might think.

This summer, Makena launched Connecting Generations, a volunteer program that brings teens into seniors’ homes to share activities like baking, cooking, and art.

Her idea grew from her time working at Raglan Village, where she saw how much seniors valued the rare visits they received from young people. Wanting to brighten their days, she invited classmates to join her in spending time with residents.

Today, about 20 students are part of the program, visiting Chartwell Balmoral Place to laugh, share stories, and learn from one another.

"The seniors are always making little jokes with us about our lives — about our boyfriends or girlfriends. We share stories a lot. They’ll tell us stories about their lives from when they were younger. It creates a really happy environment,” Makena says.

The seniors enjoy the company, while the students gain confidence, new friendships, and a meaningful way to complete their volunteer hours.

"Makena’s leadership and compassion remind us of the impact students can have when they step forward to share their gifts,” says OLB Principal Kerri Parent. “She is truly living out our theme to Be the Light.”