Third Age Learning Kitchener-Waterloo has existed since 1988, when Ruth Clark spearheaded a group to form Third Age Learning in Kitchener-Waterloo. Other founding members were John Boulden, Miriam Butler, Bea Fleischauer, Florence Hayes, Jean and Carl Hennigar, Sally Jefferson, Trudy Motz and Vera Wood.
Originally, lectures were held in the Kitchener Auditorium. In the fall of 2002, because of increased membership, Third Age Learning moved to the Century Room at the Manulife Sportsplex, RIM Park, Waterloo.
Fall 2013 saw a further expansion into the Forbes Family Hall at RIM Park in order to accommodate increasing demand (maximum 650 seats).
When the Covid 19 pandemic struck in 2020, lectures went online with Zoom webinar. The online only format continued through the winter 2023 series. The spring 2023 series was presented in a hybrid format with some attending lectures in person at RIM Park and others attending the lectures at home via Zoom webinar.
Prior to the pandemic, TAL-KW offered two lecture series in the fall and two in the winter. In the 2020 shift to online lectures, the program offering included only one lecture series in the fall and one in the winter. In 2022, a spring series was introduced for the first time.
TAL-KW was incorporated in 2021 as a not-for-profit corporation to succeed its prior status as an association. The board directors are the members of the corporation. The by-laws of the corporation identify all ticket purchasers for lecture series as patrons rather than as members.
Our vision: mature learners pursuing knowledge, exchanging ideas and embracing innovation.
Our mission: TAL-KW enriches the lives of its patrons by providing intellectually stimulating programs.
Our values:
· Respect for all perspectives
· Accessible and affordable learning
· Connection with our community
In 2010, an endowment fund was established at Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning. Beginning in 2012, an annual bursary has been awarded to a full-time student who is enrolled in a School of Health and Life Sciences and Community Services program which contains a gerontology component. Students must demonstrate their financial need as well as an interest in working with seniors.
In 2014, TAL-KW established the Third Age Learning Kitchener-Waterloo Graduate Student Bursary in Gerontology and Movement Disorders Research at Wilfrid Laurier University. An annual bursary may be awarded to a full-time graduate student who is conducting research related to gerontology and/or movement disorders. The recipient will have a minimum cumulative GPA of 7.0 and proven financial need. First preference for these funds will be given to graduate students who are conducting research at the Movement Disorders Research & Rehabilitation Centre (MDRC).