Harper government invests in project to help address seniors' isolation in the Vancouver area Français
VANCOUVER, July 25, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) announced today New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) funding for over $52,000 to the Japanese Community Volunteer Association, known in the Greater Vancouver area as Tonari Gumi, for its Lighthouse Project for At-Risk Japanese Seniors.
The project aims to promote volunteerism and engagement of seniors, including those who are at risk, in the Vancouver community. These programs will increase social inclusion and participation of seniors with dementia and will provide outreach services for seniors who are isolated and without family support by involving them in various community activities.
A toolkit will be made available to other community organizations across Canada so they can replicate the project.
The Government of Canada has provided more than $1.7 million in NHSP funding support for 24 NHSP pilot projects across Canada that will lead to new programs and activities that help reduce social isolation of seniors.
Quick Facts
- Economic Action Plan 2014 has recently proposed an additional $5 million per year for the NHSP to support additional projects that benefit seniors. This is in addition to the $45 million the Government already provides to this program annually.
- Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 13,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. NHSP funding supports projects that focus on issues like elder abuse, social isolation and intergenerational learning.
- In 2013, an NHSP call for proposals for pilot projects on social isolation and intergenerational learning was launched. In May 2014, Minister of State Wong announced that 20 of these projects had been approved. An additional 4 projects have since been approved, for a total of 24 projects now underway.
- The Government of Canada's website Seniors.gc.ca provides seniors, their families and caregivers with important information and resources about elder abuse.
Quotes
"Our government is proud to work with organizations like Tonari Gumi. This project is a wonderful example of how we can help engage seniors with dementia and address the issue of isolation of seniors in the Greater Vancouver area."
- The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)
"We are very pleased that the federal government's New Horizons for Seniors Program will be supporting our Lighthouse Project for At-Risk Japanese Seniors. This valuable support will enable us to better assist vulnerable and isolated seniors within the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian community who may be suffering from disabilities such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease."
- Joji Kumagai, Chair of Board of Directors, Japanese Community Volunteers Association (Tonari Gumi).
Associated Links
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 in their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to the benefit of others.
NHSP funding is targeted to community-based projects, pan-Canadian projects and pilot projects that focus on issues such as social isolation and intergenerational learning.
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 per year per organization in grant funding.
Pan-Canadian projects provide support to help seniors protect themselves from elder abuse, including financial abuse and fraud. These projects help community members recognize elder abuse in all its forms and improve the quality of life, safety and security of seniors. Projects focus on developing tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions or Canada. These projects may be eligible to receive up to $250,000 per year for a maximum of three years.
Pilot project funding provides support to help address seniors' isolation by establishing better social support networks and resources and initiating community interventions. It also supports intergenerational learning projects that help seniors develop new interests and share their knowledge and experience with others. These pilot projects are eligible to receive up to $100,000 in federal funding over a maximum of 24 months, which will be matched with funding from other sources.
For more information on the NHSP, visit esdc.gc.ca/seniors.
SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada
Earl Maynard
Office of the Minister of State (Seniors)
613-716-5422
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]
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