Mount Alverna Village’s Post

We are all interested to inspire generosity in the younger generations, read on for 7 practical ways grandparents can encourage generosity in their grandchildren!

👑 Grandparents' Advice for Future Generations With all their life experience and hard-earned wisdom, our grandparents have so much to pass down. Ask them: "What advice would you give your children, grandchildren, and future family members?" Their answer will be pure gold. A beautiful legacy to treasure. Drop a 💎 below if you've received powerful advice from your elders that you'll never forget. Share this to inspire others to seek their grandparents' wisdom. #FamilyValues #GrandparentsAdvice #LifeLessons

Today, we pause to honor the children who never returned home from residential schools, the survivors who carry their stories, and the generations who still bear the weight of this history. As a proud Indigenous Mayan mama, this day holds deep significance for me, not only as a moment of collective remembrance but also as part of my own reclamation journey—a journey I’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of. I am committed to having conversations with my children about what this day represents—the pain, the injustice, and the intergenerational trauma caused by the residential school system. These are not easy conversations, but they are vital in honoring the truth of our shared history and ensuring that future generations grow up with a deep respect for Indigenous cultures and stories. As non-Indigenous people and settlers, there’s a responsibility to reflect on the harm caused by colonialism and how it continues to impact Indigenous communities today. It’s time to challenge and decolonize the ways we think, live, and teach our children, remembering who we are, what we stand for, and what we’re meant to do in the world. This day is more than a reflection—it’s a call to action. As parents, raising children with empathy, awareness, and a commitment to justice is essential. Together, we can create a future where Indigenous voices, stories, and wisdom are valued and uplifted, not erased or forgotten. • Wear orange to honor residential school survivors and raise awareness. • Have important conversations with your children and community about Canada’s history and the ongoing effects of colonialism. • Support Indigenous-led organizations and initiatives. • Engage with Indigenous voices and stories through books, films, and events. The path to healing and reclamation is long, but by standing together—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—we can walk it with intention, empathy, and commitment. Let’s be the generation that builds a future rooted in truth and respect, for the sake of all our children. Beautiful cover art work by @ morning.star.designs #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #Decolonize #ReclaimingRoots #HonourTheChildren #Indigenouschildren #WeCanDoBetter

August is #NationalMakeAWillMonth! There’s no better time than now to plan for your future and create a lasting legacy for the children and families we serve. Including The Cradle in your will is a simple, impactful way to support our mission without affecting your assets during your lifetime. In just a few minutes, you can make a decision that will positively impact families for generations to come. Learn more and get started: https://bit.ly/3YGimuL

Orange Shirt Day is deeply personal for me, as it is for so many Indigenous people. It’s not just a day to wear orange—it’s a reminder of the painful legacy of residential schools, a reality that our families, our ancestors, and our communities continue to carry. Our children were taken from us, their languages, cultures, and identities stripped away, often never to be returned. Many never came home. The scars left behind run deep, not just in the survivors, but in the generations that followed. Phyllis Webstad’s story, where her new orange shirt—gifted with love from her grandmother—was taken from her on her first day of residential school, speaks to the heartbreak of so many families. This simple act represents the larger truth of what residential schools tried to do: erase who we are as Indigenous peoples. But despite everything, we are still here. Today, I wear orange to honor those who never made it home, to stand with the survivors whose resilience is an act of strength, and to remind myself and others that every child matters. This isn’t just about the past—it’s about the intergenerational trauma still felt in our communities. It’s about ensuring the truth of our history is acknowledged and that healing can continue. As an Indigenous person, this day is a call to action. For me, it means standing strong in my identity, sharing our truths, and holding space for the voices that were silenced for too long. But it also means asking others to stand with us—to listen, to learn, and to be part of the ongoing work of reconciliation. This work doesn’t begin and end on Orange Shirt Day. It’s every day, every conversation, every step toward justice and healing. Every child mattered then, every child matters now, and together, we must ensure that no child’s spirit is forgotten. #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation

👑 Grandparents' Advice for Future Generations With all their life experience and hard-earned wisdom, our grandparents have so much to pass down. Ask them: "What advice would you give your children, grandchildren, and future family members?" Their answer will be pure gold. A beautiful legacy to treasure. Drop a 💎 below if you've received powerful advice from your elders that you'll never forget. Share this to inspire others to seek their grandparents' wisdom. #FamilyValues #GrandparentsAdvice #LifeLessons

August is #MakeAWillMonth! 🌟 In our latest blog, Rosie, a member of our Epilogue Society (what we call our community of legacy givers), shares about how her father inspired her to add #SJPLF to her Family Trust. Read the full blog and learn more about legacy giving: https://lnkd.in/g_pJkWQh

🧡 *Every Child Matters* Orange is more than a color—it's a powerful symbol of remembrance, resilience, and recognition of the injustices Indigenous children faced at residential schools. On Orange Shirt Day, we remember the children who never made it home and those who continue to carry the weight of these traumatic experiences. 🧡 The odds of an Indigenous child dying in a residential school were 1 in 25. 🧡 The last residential school closed in 1996. 🧡 These schools aimed to erase cultures, languages, and identities, causing generational pain. The reason we wear orange on this day stems from the experience of Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother, was taken away from her on her first day at residential school. Her story reminds us that Indigenous children were stripped not just of clothing, but of their dignity, rights, and lives. 🧡 **Remember this**: the children taken away in handcuffs, the children who suffered physical, emotional, and spiritual abuse, and the children who never returned home to their families. It’s not just a part of history; it’s a part of our present. These injustices didn’t happen in the distant past. They affect the fabric of Canadian society today. 🧡 What can we do? We can educate ourselves and others. We can support Indigenous-led initiatives aimed at healing. And we can honor those affected by wearing orange not just on one day, but by advocating for meaningful action and change every day. Let us not forget that Orange Shirt Day is a reminder to take action—not just in solidarity, but in support of a better future for all. How are you contributing to change and reconciliation? #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #IndigenousRights

Embodying the core values and principles that our mothers imparted to us is a powerful way to honor their wisdom and guidance. Here are some ways to actively live in accordance with these values: Compassion and Empathy: Practice empathy and compassion in our interactions with others. By showing kindness and understanding, we uphold the values of empathy that our mothers instilled in us. This can be as simple as lending a listening ear to a friend in need or volunteering to help those less fortunate in our communities. https://amzn.to/3U6Ht7Z

1. Join me in painting our world with acts of kindness, where each gesture becomes a masterpiece of compassion.    2. Let's sow seeds of hope together by giving back to our community, nurturing a garden where solidarity thrives.    3. Together, we can build bridges of support, creating a tapestry of empowerment and resilience in our community.    4. Discover the beauty of giving back - where every act of generosity weaves into the tapestry of humanity, creating a brighter tomorrow.    5. "Embrace the power of giving and watch as the threads of kindness stitch together to form a stronger, more compassionate community."    6. "Step into a world where every act of giving adds color to the canvas of compassion, creating a mosaic of hope and solidarity."    7. Experience the transformative power of community as we come together to give back, creating a tapestry woven with threads of empowerment and resilience. #givebacktothecommunity #letsworktogether