RICHMOND HILL, ON, Nov. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors, announced today that immigrant seniors will have more opportunities to stay active and be engaged and informed members of their communities, as a result of funding from the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).
The Canadian Chinese Gao Deng Yuan Xiao Alumni Association is receiving $25,000 for its Volunteering in the Community project. Seniors involved with the organization will mentor immigrant seniors on how to volunteer within the community.
"The Association's project is helping immigrant seniors adapt to their new communities by giving them the opportunity to learn about volunteering and to participate in neighbourhood activities," said Minister Wong. "Hundreds of seniors in Richmond Hill will benefit from this project."
"We thank the Government of Canada for their support of this important project," said Kady Liu, President of the Canadian Chinese Gao Deng Yuan Xiao Alumni Association. "This project will help reduce isolation among the seniors and allow them to actively participate in community events."
The NHSP supports projects led or inspired by seniors who want to make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities. The Government of Canada invested over $33 million in support of over 1 750 NHSP projects that will lead to programs and activities for seniors across Canada. These projects were approved through the 2012-2013 call for proposals.
For more information on the NHSP, please visit seniors.gc.ca.
Backgrounder
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. Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 11 200 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.
NHSP funding is available for both pan-Canadian and community-based projects.
Pan-Canadian projects focus on developing or identifying tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions and the country to address elder abuse. They are eligible for up to $250,000 in funding per year, for up to three years.
Community-based project funding provides support for activities that are inspired or
led by seniors and address one or more of the program's five objectives. Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year per organization in grant funding. Earlier this year, the Government of Canada launched a Call for Proposals for community-based projects. The Call closed on July 5, 2013 across Canada, except in Alberta, where it closed on July 19, and in Quebec, where it closed on September 6, 2013. Project applications are currently being assessed.
A subsequent Call for Proposals for Pilot Projects was launched on October 3, 2013 and closed on November 13, 2013. This Call sought proposals for larger-value, longer-duration pilot projects focussing specifically on seniors' isolation and/or intergenerational learning. Projects will receive up to $100,000 over 24 months in contribution funding, will engage partners and lever funding from other community partners.
SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada
This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
For further information (media only):
Mark Wall
Director of Communications
Office of Minister of State (Seniors), Alice Wong
1-613-617-7993
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]
IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.
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