Goderich Legion helps seniors and families connect through coffee, classes and conversation

Nyden Greenfield, research assistant at Gateway Center of Excellence in Rural Health mentors. Goderich resident Sharon Pengelly on technology navigation.

From tech workshops to health talks, the Goderich Legion has become a hub for learning, connection and community engagement.

Still going strong, Cafe 109 started a year ago running Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Goderich Legion branch saw it as an opportunity to invite all community members to come in, sit down with a $2 bottomless cup of coffee and connect with locals from around the area. 

Additionally, the legion runs an abundance of weekly programs ranging from their popular guest speaker series, along with tech mentoring camps, Bingo, line dancing, singing and other engaging activities. 

“For our Wake Up Wednesday, where we have community guest speakers that come in on a regular basis has really started to take off within the cafe,” said Randy Carroll, president at the Goderich Legion.

“Our speaker series discusses topics such as fitness, health, fire safety measures, as well as AI tech talks. We also show seniors who are struggling with technology how to use their cellphones and take photos.” 

Carroll explains that the legion has partnered with Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health, where workers will come to the legion and mentor seniors who are struggling with technology navigation.

Carroll says that the classes allow seniors to build confidence in tech use and provide the relief that they are not alone on the subject. 

“The most interesting comment I had was from a lady that came in who was having problems with her cellphone and after some mentorship she became comfortable,” said Carroll.

“She was relieved to know that she was not alone with learning current technology. Other people in the community come for the same help and it’s nice to come out and not feel that you're on an island all by yourself.”

Carroll said that feedback on tech classes has been received with the legion continuing to run the program. However, he adds that the Legion is facing a temporary challenge as Gateway students return to their post-secondary studies.

Seniors who have been mentored and comfortable with technology are focused on helping their peers if people are seeking assistance. 

“We are also trying to help seniors who are going through isolation,” Carroll said.

“When they come out and meet each other, they build connections that are going to continue, and we have a good group that comes out on a regular basis just to sit down and chat. We also welcome the broader community, such as families and younger individuals as well.” 

Carroll explains that the legion used to be a closed membership, where people had to be a member to attend.

Over the years, the members have shifted the branch to fill the role of an open community hub, encouraging the message that everybody is welcome. People no longer have to be a member to attend the events. 

“We do a lot of fundraising with 70 per cent of all the proceeds that we bring in go back to the community,” said Carroll.

“It is all a community effort to allow us to do what we do. We are not for profit. We make sure we bring in enough money to pay the bills and we donate back to the best of our ability.”