We Are Young (WAY) is a registered charity that is dedicated to empowering seniors by improving age-related barriers such as social isolation and loneliness, enhancing mental and physical well-being, and restoring seniors' sense of purpose through creating transformative wish experiences. Through our work we are challenging societal perceptions of aging and foster a culture of inclusivity and respect, creating meaningful experiences that inspire individual and community level change.

To be eligible to submit a wish application with "We Are Young," seniors must meet

the following criteria:

• Age: Must be 70 years or older.

• Residency: Must live within the areas served by our organization (Atlantic Canada and Ontario)

• Wish Criteria: Must have a wish that is experienced base (we do not grant material based wishes)

• Need for Support: Clearly demonstrates why the senior would not be able to fulfill their wish without We Are Young’s support.

Below is a further understanding of the three foundational wish activities we provide:

• Fulfilling Lifelong Dreams: Our team actively engages with seniors, turning unfulfilled aspirations. Empowering them to experience something new for the first time, turning long-held dreams into tangible and meaningful realities.

• Reliving Passions: Age-related limitations can lead to the sidelining of passions. Our approach involves carefully designing activities where seniors can rediscover and engage in these interests they once enjoyed.

• Reconnecting with Loved Ones: These moments of reconnection—whether strengthening existing relationships or meeting loved ones for the first time—contribute significantly to the overall emotional health and happiness of the seniors we serve.

These are examples of wishes that we do not grant:

• material-based/physical items (car, computer, watch etc.)

• service-based (legal, medical, home renovation, automotive repair etc.)

• financial assistance outside of the wish itself (bill payments)

• continuous wishes (subscriptions, season tickets etc.)

The application process is designed to ensure that we can best support the wishes of seniors in need. It begins when a senior, or someone on their behalf, submits a wish through our online application. Our volunteer wish committee then reviews each submission to ensure it meets our eligibility criteria.

If the initial criteria are met, a representative from We Are Young will reach out to schedule a brief interview with the nominated senior. This conversation allows us to gather more information about the wish and confirm the senior's participation. Please note that this interview does not guarantee wish fulfillment. Following the interview, our internal team will assess the request's feasibility and determine if we can support it. If we can fulfill the wish, planning will commence.

While we are encouraged by the increasing number of applications, we may not be able to support every request we receive, as we prioritize based on the needs and logistics involved.

For more questions on eligibility and our criteria for support, please feel free to contact us at marie@weareyoung.ca