VAUGHAN, ON, May 22, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), joined by Member of Parliament for Vaughan, the Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence, announced more than $267,000 in funding to twelve seniors-focused community-based projects in Vaughan, Woodbridge, Maple and Kleinberg.
The Government of Canada has approved twelve New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) projects based on applications from various Vaughan-based community groups through the NHSP's 2014–2015 Call for Proposals. The Government of Canada's investment in these projects will make it possible for Vaughan seniors to keep playing a major role in a wide range of local programs and activities.
Ministers Wong and Fantino made this announcement at the Seniors' Association of Vaughan Initiative (SAVI), which is receiving $25,000 in NHSP funding for its project Venturing Together, Entertainment, Seniors Workshops and Seminars. This project aims to expand awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse. SAVI will use NHSP funding to acquire audio-visual equipment and conduct workshops and seminars providing participants with information on financial budgeting as well as health and nutrition. Seniors will help plan, organize and conduct the project.
Other Vaughan-based projects announced today (see full list in the 'Backgrounder' included below) focus on educational, recreational and outreach activities that promote seniors' leadership and participation, as well as help provide guidance and support to community members from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Quick Facts
- Under the New Horizons for Seniors Program, up to $25,000 in grant funding can be provided to eligible organizations for community-based projects that are led or inspired by seniors.
- Since 2006, the NHSP has funded nearly 15,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, representing a total Government of Canada investment of $350 million.
- A call for proposals for community-based projects funded through the NHSP will be launched May 29, 2015. A call for proposals for pan-Canadian projects under the NHSP will also be launched at the same time. Funded pan-Canadian projects will focus on addressing social isolation among seniors in Canada.
- Since 2006, $2.8 billion in annual tax relief has been provided to seniors and pensioners.
- The Government of Canada launched the Government of Canada – Action for Seniors report in September 2014. The report is a new information resource highlighting federal programs and services that can be accessed by seniors, their families and caregivers. It was created in collaboration with more than 22 federal departments and agencies. The report can be found on Canada.ca/Seniors.
Quotes
"I am proud to work with organizations such as the Seniors' Association of Vaughan Initiative, whose project will go a long way to help seniors manage their financial matters and avoid becoming victims of financial abuse."
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)
"I am thrilled that the Government of Canada is investing over $267,000 in Vaughan-based seniors projects. This significant investment underlines the valuable role that seniors play in Vaughan and our Government's commitment to improving the quality of life for seniors. I congratulate and thank our local seniors involved in all these twelve projects. Their hard work will make them a success, and make Vaughan an even better place to live for all. This new investment will mean that a grand total of 53 New Horizons for Seniors Program projects, totaling over $940,000, have been funded in Vaughan since 2010. This is a record our community and local seniors should be extremely proud of."
– The Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Vaughan
"The grant we received from the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program has helped us meet the growing demand for social, cultural, recreational and educational activities aimed at reducing isolation and promoting social interaction among seniors. Workshops we will be conducting on managing one's financial matters and on health nutrition will benefit many seniors in the City of Vaughan."
– Isabella Ferrara, President, SAVI
Associated Links
- Canada.ca/Seniors
- Funding: New Horizons for Seniors Program
- Economic Action Plan 2015
- Canada.ca/taxsavings
- Backgrounder on new measures: Helping Families Prosper
Backgrounder
The following organizations in Vaughan, Woodbridge, Maple and Kleinberg, Ontario are receiving funding as a result of the New Horizons for Seniors Program 2014–2015 Call for Proposals.
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
PROJECT SUMMARY |
FUNDING AMOUNT |
| Seniors Association of Vaughan Initiative (SAVI) Vaughan, Ontario |
The Venturing Together, Entertainment, Seniors Workshops and Seminars project aims to acquire audio-visual equipment to conduct workshops and seminars providing seniors with information on financial budgeting, mental health and nutrition. |
$25,000 |
| Maple Italo Canadian Seniors and Bocce Club Vaughan, Ontario |
The Discover Ontario project aims to organize a series of trips in the Greater Toronto Area and reach out to vulnerable and isolated seniors. |
$24,500 |
| Maple Pioneer Italian Senior's Club Vaughan, Ontario |
This Movie Night Project aims to acquire and set up cinema equipment to screen movies and increase social participation and inclusion of seniors in club activities. |
$13,100 |
| Human Endeavour Vaughan, Ontario |
The Hope Community Garden Education Centre project aims to enable seniors to teach young children, new immigrants and low-income individuals about gardening and to promote healthy eating habits. |
$24,800 |
| Iglesia Hipana del Nazareno Woodbridge Woodbridge, Ontario |
The Seniors Coaching Seniors project aims to conduct an outreach program concerning prevention of elder abuse. Seniors involved in the organization will organize a peer support network to educate seniors on elder abuse and on preventative measures to help decrease social isolation. |
$24,940 |
| Woodbridge Macedonian Senior's Club Woodbridge, Ontario |
The Computer Lab Project aims to equip and organize a computer lab where high school students will provide computer instruction to seniors who, in turn, will assist other seniors. |
$14,150 |
| CARP Vaughan Chapter 5 Woodbridge, Ontario |
The Seniors Engaging Seniors – Education, Health & Technology project aims to develop workshops on technology, health and wellness and elder abuse awareness that seniors will be presenting to community seniors organizations. |
$19,914 |
| Italian Canadian Assistance Woodbridge, Ontario |
The Italian Movie Nights in Maple and Computer Classes project aims to show classic and contemporary Italian movies introduced by a guest speaker and followed by reflective discussion. Computer classes will also be offered to seniors through the project. |
$21,926 |
| Russian-Canadian Educational and Recreational Centre Maple, Ontario |
The Golden Experience of Seniors the Endless Value for the Young Generations project aims to train experienced senior volunteers to deliver educational and recreational programming to Russian newcomers' children and youth. |
$24,000 |
| Richview Manor Retirement Living Maple, Ontario |
The Rich Voices: Intergenerational Choir and Instrumental Group project aims to establish an intergenerational choir and instrumental group involving seniors from Richmond Manor as well as community seniors and youth. |
$25,000 |
| Help Matters Inc. Maple, Ontario |
The Technology Matters project aims to introduce the use of technology, such as computers, Internet and social media technology, to seniors through weekly training classes. |
$24,784 |
| Villa Colombo Vaughan Seniors Centre Inc. Kleinberg, Ontario |
The HERO Seniors Vaughan (Helping Enhance Resident's Opportunities) project aims to produce new outreach sessions to support isolated seniors. |
$25,000 |
| TOTAL |
$267,114 |
|
New Horizons for Seniors Program
The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to the benefit of others.
The objectives of the NHSP are:
- promoting volunteerism among seniors;
- engaging seniors in the community through mentoring of others;
- expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse;
- supporting social participation and inclusion of seniors; and
- providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and/or programs for seniors.
NHSP funding supports pan-Canadian projects and community-based projects.
Pan-Canadian projects
Pan-Canadian projects funded through the 2015–2016 call for proposals, to be launched May 29, 2015 will help to prevent and reduce social isolation among seniors. Successful projects will be up to three years in duration and funded between $150,000 and $750,000.
Community-based projects
Community-based project funding supports activities that engage seniors and address one or more of the program's five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance. These projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding per year, per organization. Over 1,850 projects were approved through the NHSP 2014–2015 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects. The next call for proposals for community-based projects will be launched May 29, 2015.
For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
Justin Wood, Office of the Minister of State (Seniors), 613-852-3761; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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