Non-profit hosts Easter brunch for seniors across Quebec to break isolation

With her children spread out across the globe, from Tennessee to Sweden, Diane Lewis says she's no stranger to loneliness.

"It'shard,you know,I'mglad for them becausethey love where they are, they're very happy there but I'm lonely. I really am," said the 82-year-old Montrealer.

Following the worst of the pandemic, when her isolation reached new heights, Lewis decided to take action.

She reached out to Little Brothers, a group that provides support to lonely seniors aged 75 and olderacross the province.

"It'scool becausethey find youayounger person to come visit you at home and support you," Lewis said.

"Whether it's a phone call or anything it feels very reassuring that you're not alone, that there's somebody there."

Lewis was one of dozens of seniorsand volunteers who gathered at Cedar Park United Church Sunday in Pointe-Claire on Montreal's West Island for a special Easter brunch.

Michelle Cousin, a volunteer, says it's always a pleasure to connect with the seniors, whether that be over the phone or at their home, but it's especially important to gather with them during the holidays.

"It'scrucial. It reminds them that they still matter to someone, that they'renot forgotten, that people want their company andwant them to share in a festive meal," she said.

Brunches were organizedin 25 different establishments across 12 regions of Quebec over the weekend, including in the greater Montreal area and Quebec City.

JanetBroxup, 83, describedthe Little Brothers event as "a family affair" and the group itself as a community.

Despite being a widow witha daughter living inPlattsburgh,N.Y., and another in England,Broxup says she was happy to respond to those who asked whether she had any plans for Easter.

"Isaid quite positively, 'Oh yeah, Ihave something to go to on the Sunday. I'm fine,'" she said.

Linda McManusbegan volunteering with Little Brothers years ago, after her mother died in hospital, because she saw how important her frequent visits were.

"She was so appreciative. I know how important it is to have somebody come and visit you," said McManus.

"I realizedthat there were other people out there who are lonely and would enjoy a friend. And Iwould enjoya friend. It's a give and take. It makes me happy and it makes them happy."

McManus wasrecently matched up with Lewis to be her volunteer.

"We have fun, we have nice conversations, have a cup of tea every other week or I just call her every week," McManus said.

"It makes me feel good that I'm helping somebody else.

According to Little Brothers, one in five seniors in Quebec has no family on whom they can rely. By 2030, Quebec will have more than 1.1 million people aged 75 and older and about 220,000 will be at risk of experiencing social isolation.

Lewis says that's why programs like Little Brothers are so important.

"There are a lot of people who are alone and there are a lot of peopleright now who are home and wish that they can be with someone thatthey can be here," she said of the brunch.

Cousin, for her part, is encouraging peopleto reach out to seniorsin theircommunities who might be experiencing isolation.

"Even just a smile and acknowledging them can make a big difference," she said.