Government of Canada supports community project that enhances social inclusion of Québec seniors Français
QUEBEC, Sept. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Seniors make significant and valuable contributions to their families, communities and society. The Government of Canada remains committed to empowering seniors across Canada so they can contribute to and share in the prosperity of the country.
In support of this commitment, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, today announced close to $25,000 in funding to Les Habitations Populaires St-Sacrement for the project, Modification et réorganisation des salles d'activités allouées à nos aînés. This project will enhance the social participation and inclusion of seniors by providing residents and other seniors from surrounding neighbourhoods with a friendly place where they can take part in recreational activities and interact with their peers. A space within the seniors residence is being remodelled to better accommodate seniors' needs and interests and includes a home theater and new furnishings.
The New Horizons for Seniors Program promotes positive aging by supporting seniors' volunteerism and encouraging seniors to play an active role in their communities. This innovative program enhances senior's social well-being and enables seniors to maintain social ties and share their knowledge, skills and experience with others.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada continues to take measures to ensure that Canadian seniors fully participate in society and enjoy the fulfilling lives they deserve. Projects such as the one undertaken by Les Habitations Populaires St-Sacrement enable seniors to stay socially active and connected and enjoy the significant benefits of healthy ageing. By investing in NHSP projects, the government is reinforcing its commitment to promote and protect the well-being of seniors."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
"Les Jardins Saint-Sacrement residence is a not-for-profit organization. Thirty percent of its clientele is subsidized. In July 2016, we applied to the New Horizons for Seniors Program in order to renovate and reorganize the activity rooms used by our residents. The acceptance of our application meant that we could continue existing activities and also develop new ones to help address social isolation affecting seniors. No renovations had been done since our opening in 1999. So, completing this project has brought a breath of fresh air to the residence. Residents and seniors from the community—who we hope to integrate into our activities—will benefit immensely."
– Esther Larochelle, Director, Les Jardins St-Sacrement
Quick Facts
- This project was approved through the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) 2016–2017 Call for Proposals.
- Through the NHSP 2016-2017 Call for Proposals, the Government of Canada provided approximately $35 million in NHSP funding for close to 1,850 community-based projects.
- Since 2004, the NHSP has approved close to 19,700 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, with a total Government of Canada investment of approximately $417 million.
- The NHSP 2017-2018 Call for Proposals for Community-based Projects was open from May 10, 2017 until June 23, 2017.
- Eligible organizations can receive up to $25,000 in project funding.
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.
Close to 1,850 projects across Canada were approved through the NHSP 2016–2017 Call for Proposals for Community-based Projects and these are now in progress.
The NHSP 2017–2018 Call for Proposals for Community-based Projects closed on June 23, 2017. It invited 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.
For more information, visit Canada.ca/funding-new-horizons-seniors-community.
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.
These projects are funded for up to three years and receive financial support of 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 Canada.ca/funding-new-horizons-seniors-pancan.
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
For media enquiries, please contact: Émilie 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, [email protected]
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