MISSION, BC, July 19, 2017 /CNW/ - Elders will benefit from a new project in Mission, British Columbia, that will give them the opportunity to create a garden and strengthen their bonds with younger generations in the community. The announcement was made today by Jati Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Mission–Matsqui–Fraser Canyon, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
The Mamele'awt Qweesome & To'o Housing Society received nearly $25,000 in funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) for its Returning To Our "Roots" project. Through this project, Elders will help to create and maintain a garden. They will also receive training on traditional medicine, and then share what they have learned with community youth.
This is one of almost 1,850 community-based projects approved through the 2016–2017 NHSP Call for Proposals. Organizations were invited to submit projects that promote positive aging and empower seniors to initiate and participate in activities that benefit the community.
Investing in Canada's communities creates good jobs, encourages clean economic growth and builds stronger communities where all Canadians feel included. Partnerships with local governments, institutions and organizations are vital to delivering change and improving the lives of seniors.
Quotes
"Seniors can make significant and valuable contributions to their families, communities and society. That is why our government is dedicated to ensuring that Canadian seniors can share their knowledge, skills and experiences in unique ways that nurture their personal growth and foster community prosperity."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
"The Government of Canada is proud to support the Mamele'awt Qweesome & To'o Housing Society through the New Horizons for Seniors Program. The Returning To Our "Roots" project is giving Elders the opportunity to acquire new skills, connect with their community and pass on their unique knowledge of cultural practices and traditions to community youth."
– Jati Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Mission–Matsqui–Fraser Canyon
"The Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program funding has enabled the Mamele'awt Qweesome Housing Society to transform an unsightly and unused area into a beautiful garden space to bring together Elders and young families to share knowledge and stories while engaging in healthy exercise and growing healthy foods."
– Janice Silver, Chief Executive Officer, Mamele'awt Qweesome & To'o Housing Society
"We are so grateful that you have brought this beautiful gift to us and so thankful to have a reason to come out and meet every day with our neighbours and get to know each other better. It is so good to see Elders that have never before participated in any previous events or socials now coming in to join the program and making friends with their neighbours."
– Elder Gwen Therrien, participant in the Returning To Our "Roots" project
Quick Facts
- Since 2004, the NHSP has approved close to 19,700 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, with a total investment of approximately $417 million.
- Community-based projects approved through the 2016–2017 NHSP Call for Proposals are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding.
- The most recent 2017–2018 NHSP Call for Proposals for community-based projects was launched on May 10, 2017 and closed on June 23, 2017.
- Based on Statistics Canada data from the 2016 census, there are now more seniors (5.9 million) than children (5.8 million) in Canada. By 2061, they project 12 million seniors to 8 million children.
Associated Links
Funding: New Horizons for Seniors Program – Community-based projects
Funding: New Horizons for Seniors Program – Pan-Canadian projects
New Horizons for Seniors Program – Engaging Seniors, Strengthening Communities
Backgrounder
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 community-based projects and pan-Canadian projects.
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. Approximately $35 million is provided each year for community-based projects.
The NHSP 2016–2017 Call for Proposals for community-based projects closed on July 29, 2016. Close to 1,850 projects across Canada were approved and are now in progress.
The more recent NHSP 2017–2018 Call for Proposals for Community-based Projects closed on June 23, 2017. Applications submitted through this process are now being assessed.
Pan-Canadian projects
Pan-Canadian projects test and share best practices across the country and replicate interventions that have worked well in addressing seniors' issues.
Projects that have received funding through the NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals for Pan-Canadian Projects are using a collective impact approach where project partners work together to achieve measurable results in addressing social isolation among seniors.
Successful projects are up to three years in duration and are receiving funding up to $750,000.
More than $21 million is being made available for pan-Canadian projects funded through the NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals.
For more information, visit New Horizons for Seniors Program.
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
For media enquiries, please contact: Emilie Gauduchon-Campbell, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P., Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 819-654-5546; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559
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