It has been a long time since the name of “seniors college” emerged unofficially among the Korean community in Toronto. Most Korean seniors arrived in Canada as an immigrant begining 1970s after- wards. They came not as independent immigrants, but were invited by their children who had started a new life in Canada a few years ago. The parentrs’ job was looking after their grand children at home, as their own son and daughter had to work in the new working place in Canada.
Soon after their grandchildren grew up to be teenagers, these grandchildren did not need any grandparents’ care at home. These seniors were then left alone without anything to do at home. Most of them, almost 70 % could not read, speak, or understand English at all. They did not have friends, nor nearby relatives. They were isolated, helpless, and almost abandoned out of the new society.
Nobody noticed this problem at the beginning, but the situation had become quite serious. Many psychological, sociological problems had arisen. Family discord and divorce was common. Some of these seniors fell into unexpected psychological or physical diseases, even dementia, and so on.
In the late 1980s, a few Korean churches started experimental classes. The main objective of these classes was not to study something, but rather to get together with lonely seniors friends . The result of gathering was very tremendous, far beyond expectation.
As time passed and the number of seniors increased, these classes also evolved and diversified. These classes became school system , and so called ‘seniors college’in a part of the churches.
As the average life expectancy has grew higher than the former generation, most seniors have lived up to their ages over 80s or even more than 90s. The community leaders for this seniors groups realized the social facts and gathered to discuss the seniors longer life and their futures.
So far, There are 6 seniors college in Toronto community churches. However, they didn,t have very enough teaching staffs to cover up the requirement for the 6 colleges classes. So, we, Ontario Korean Seniors College (OKSC) has tried to gather some ideas to make a “Teachers Pool System” in Ontario. OKSC has modified and supplied the volunteer teachers to the “Teachers Pool System” , for the community services and any organizations in Korean society in Ontario. However, still this pool system has to be studied and adjusted for teachers assignments reasonably. Because there is some financial problem ,even though they are treated very low fees. However, We strongly desire to be
Continued this “Teachers Pool System” in 2023….. That is very good not only for Toronto, but for all the nearby local Korean communities in Ontario; Kitchener, London, Niagafalls, Hamilton, Peterborough and etc.
In September 2013, the Ontario Korean Seniors College (OKSC) opened their first class as a part of Korean Seniors Asociation in Toronto. OKSC has been developed remarkably in a short period with many volunteers’ and donors’ generous help. Most teachers are retired Koreans. The faculty of Ontario Korean Seniors College are very professional and experienced staffs in every fields; Medical doctors, Registered Nurses, Dentist, Retired University Faculties, Pastors, eye doctors, Ear Doctors, Musicians, Historian, Journalist, Lawyers etc.