Connecting at a time of disconnection

Written by Katrina Clarke ’06, Alumni and Development Officer

As much of the world collectively goes to great lengths to prevent the spread of COVID-19, King's alumni are proving that social distancing need not be socially isolating. In every community, individuals are working hard to shine a light on positive, uplifting aspects of everyday life. Seeing that alumni were taking this on in their own lives, Alumni and Development at King's is providing an avenue for King's graduates to share messages of hope within the King's community. Alumni at Home is content submitted by members of the King's community, for the King's community.

The first post in the project is a birth announcement for baby Mira Rose Meilleur Semansky, born at home on March 22 to Associate Alumna, Paris Semansky and family. Other posts include a poem, a joke, a cookie recipe, and more. Content is submitted to Alumni and Development and shared from their channels on Facebook and Instagram daily from Monday - Thursday. On Fridays, Alumni at Home moves to Facebook Live. On March 27, Gareth Bush '13 hosted a brief livestream from his apartment in Toronto, where he treated watching alumni to an acoustic version of Circles by Post Malone. This week (April 3), Lisa Bitacola '10 will give a 10-minute guided meditation on Facebook at 1:30 p.m.

Alumni at Home is intended to do more than just raise spirits. It's an opportunity for connection at a time when many feel disconnected. "What we are experiencing right now is unprecedented," says Jana Gordon, Executive Director of Alumni and Development. "It's frightening, but it's also something each of us is going through. Even if the way we are experiencing it is different, there is a sense that we are all in this together. Seeing people united in that kind of community mentality has been truly inspiring."

Alumni and Development encourages alumni and friends to share their uplifting messages, tips for working from home, inspirational stories, creative ideas for educating and entertaining children, and self-care recommendations to alumni@kings.uwo.ca.

Alumni at Home posts can be found at www.facebook.com/kucalumni and www.instagram.com/kucalumni.