Companion Connections, a social networking event for 55+ was held at St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre in Scarborough on Saturday, September 12, 2009. The event was another success and participants spent an enjoyable afternoon making new friends and possible love matches. In total, 35 participants attended and 20 matches were made. In April, 21 matches were made.
Companion Connections is modeled on a typical speed dating event in which women stay seated and men rotate every 6 minutes. If individuals hit it off and both indicate an interest in the other by checking their name, their personal contact info will be given to their match. Contact info is only given out if both parties have checked off each other’s name. This fun, exciting and innovative introductory event allows participants to meet up to 20 other single seniors in one day. St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre has also built in a safety feature to ensure participants’ safety and wellbeing by doing follow ups with all matches. Participants’ experiences were very positive and indicated a need for such a social event. One male participant, aged 68, stated, “The experience was good in terms of getting out and meeting interesting people and some you’d like to see more than once. I had a good time.” Dating and romance is not solely the domain of youth. “Dating is for everybody,” Astrid, 64, states. “Aside from the internet and clubs, this is a good method. You can quickly see if there’s interest.”
The purpose of Companion Connections is to bring together groups of people from across the city to meet peers in a safe, friendly environment. Speed dating participant, Robert, 64, said that he would 100% recommend speed dating. “I would absolutely do it again. Everyone was friendly and the organization was easy to follow with all the tables numbered.”
Companion Connections was collaboration between St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre and several partners in the non profit and for profit sectors. Special thanks to Steeles Deli Restaurant in Thornhill, Ontario, who provided refreshments and media sponsors, Scarborough Mirror and Toronto Community News. Partner agencies that helped promote Companion Connections to their clients include West Hill Community Services, Harmony Hall, North York Seniors Centre, Premier Home Care Services, Scarborough Support Services, and Revera Living. Prize sponsors included Casa Loma, Art Gallery of Ontario, Royal Ontario Museum and Georgy Porgy Bar and Grill.
Another event is slated for April 2010 and St. Paul’s also has plans to schedule a Companion Connections event for Cantonese-speaking seniors.
For more information on Companion Connections or recreation events, please contact St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre at 416-493-3333.
