Our Story

Bridging Generations, One Story at a Time

GrandPals began in 2010 at Montgomery Village Public School in Orangeville, Ontario. At the time, the school had a strong emphasis on character education, but teachers wanted to offer students more applied, experiential ways to grow. They began taking students to a local retirement residence for weekly visits with older adults, where students participated in shared activities designed to foster empathy, a service mindset, and meaningful connection. Each week, students wrote reflections on their experiences, which were later compiled and presented as a parting gift to the GrandPals.

As the program matured, it evolved from basic visits into a more structured intergenerational storytelling initiative. Teachers identified big ideas, core values, and literature connections to anchor classroom learning. Storytelling became central to the program — not only as a tool for curriculum integration but as a vehicle for empathy and personal growth. Over the years, students wrote and illustrated stories based on their GrandPals’ lives, producing books and artworks that captured moments of meaning across generations.

In 2021, one of the founding educators, Marc Mailhot, partnered with the Centre for Studies in Aging and Health (CSAH) at Providence Care to expand the reach of the program. Together, they secured funding from The Waltons Trust and other partners to support national expansion. During 2022–2025, the program reached 16+ communities in 6 provinces communities across Canada, with continued evaluation, refinement, and real-world learning along the way.

Recognizing the potential to make high-quality intergenerational programming easier and more accessible, Marc cofounded GrandPals Network Inc. in 2025 to carry the program forward. This new chapter aims to scale GrandPals by combining the heart of grassroots connection with the power of thoughtfully designed technology. The goal is to enable schools, charities, residences, and community organizations to run GrandPals programs with confidence, safety, and sustainability.

Today, GrandPals is both a proven program and a growing network. It is shaped by the stories of the past, the curiosity of young learners, and the commitment of communities who believe in a more connected, compassionate future.