VICTORIA, June 26, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today announced close to $49,000 in funding for three seniors-focused community-based projects in Victoria, British Columbia.
Minister Wong made this announcement in Victoria, at Goward House, which is receiving $18,136 in funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, for its Handicap Accessibility for Seniors project. This project aims to support social participation and inclusion of seniors by replacing its existing wheelchair ramp. The upgrade will help ensure that seniors have easier access to facility activities, including luncheons, teas and educational and wellness programs.
This project and two others in the area were approved through the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program 2014–2015 Call for Proposals. The Government of Canada's investment in these projects will enhance the capacity of each organization to conduct educational, recreational and outreach activities that promote seniors' leadership and participation, as well as to help provide guidance and support to community members from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Quick Facts
- Under the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), 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 was launched May 29, 2015, and will be open until July 10, 2015. A call for proposals for pan-Canadian projects under the NHSP was launched at the same time and will be open until July 10, 2015. Funded pan-Canadian projects will focus on addressing social isolation among seniors in Canada.
- For a wide range of information for seniors, including details on the NHSP and the Government of Canada – Action for Seniors report, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.
- Since 2006, $2.8 billion in annual tax relief has been provided to seniors and pensioners.
- Today's announcement is one example of what the Government is doing to improve the lives of Canadians. To help families prosper, the Government is also enhancing the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), introducing the Family Tax Cut and making improvements to the Child Care Expenses Deduction and the Children's Fitness Tax Credit.
- The UCCB would increase to up to $1,920 per year for children under the age of 6, and parents would receive a benefit of up to $720 per year for each child aged 6 through 17.
Quote
"We are proud to be able to support Goward House through the New Horizons for Seniors Program. At Goward House, enthusiastic volunteers provide fellowship for seniors through social, educational and special interest programs for Greater Victoria residents. As Minister of State for Seniors, I am honoured to be working with organizations that are so dedicated to enhancing the well-being of seniors."
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)
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 Victoria, British Columbia are receiving funding as a result of the New Horizons for Seniors Program 2014–2015 Call for Proposals.
| ORGANIZATION NAME |
PROJECT SUMMARY |
FUNDING AMOUNT |
| Canadian Pacific Lawn Bowling Victoria, B.C. |
The Clubhouse Renovation project aims to support social participation and inclusion of seniors by replacing flooring and doors to allow seniors to continue engaging in activities such as lawn bowling, bocce, croquet, cards, darts and board games. |
$18,895 |
| Goward House Victoria, B.C. |
The Handicap Accessibility for Seniors project aims to support social participation and inclusion of seniors by replacing its existing wheelchair ramp in order to allow seniors to continue to lead and access luncheons, teas, educational and wellness programs. |
$18,136 |
| Royal Canadian Legion, Public Service Branch 127 Victoria, B.C. |
The Upgrade Equipment to Meet FoodSafe Standards project aims to support social participation and inclusion of seniors by involving senior members to oversee the purchase and installation of a commercial refrigerator and dishwasher so seniors can continue to attend socials, receptions and dinners at the facility. |
$11,855 |
| TOTAL |
$48,886 |
|
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:
- 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 community-based and pan-Canadian projects.
The annual NHSP Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects is open until July 10, 2015 and is currently inviting organizations to apply for funding of up to $25,000 for projects that help empower seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others and support communities by increasing their capacity to address local issues. More information on how to apply is available at Canada.ca/Seniors.
The 2015–2016 NHSP Call for Proposals for Pan-Canadian Projects is open until July 10, 2015 and is currently inviting organizations to apply for funding for projects that will help to reduce social isolation among seniors by using collaborative approaches that place an emphasis on measurable results. Through this call, organizations are eligible to receive between $150,000 and $750,000 for projects up to three years in duration. The Government of Canada is partnering with the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation and its Innoweave initiative to support the development, implementation and scaling of these collaborative approaches to reduce social isolation among seniors. Applicants can contact Innoweave through its Seniors SI program to obtain support and to learn more about how organizations can work together to address social isolation. More information on how to apply for funding is also available at Canada.ca/Seniors.
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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