Harper Government invests in project to increase social participation and inclusion of seniors in Kelowna Français
KELOWNA, BC, Aug. 13, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announced today that seniors in Kelowna will be receiving support from the Government for a building renovation project that will foster social participation and inclusion.
The Dr. Gurmeet Singh Randhawa Seniors Society is receiving close to $25,000 in federal funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). This program supports projects led or inspired by seniors who want to make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities.
Through this project, the society will install a new furnace, heating controls, and flooring. A pool table will also be replaced. The facility renovations will help continue to provide seniors with a social gathering place to support social participation and inclusion.
The Government of Canada is providing more than $33.4 million in funding for over 1,770 community-based projects across Canada. These projects were approved through the New Horizons for Seniors Program 2013-2014 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects. NHSP-funded projects help ensure that seniors maintain a good quality of life and are able to be active, participating members of their communities.
Quick Facts
- Economic Action Plan 2014 has recently increased funding for the NHSP by $5 million per year. 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.
- Minister Wong launched the NHSP 2014-2015 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects on May 13, 2014. Through this call for proposals, which is now closed, organizations may receive up to $25,000 in grant funding for projects that are led or inspired by seniors.
Quotes
"Our government is proud to work with organizations like the Dr. Gurmeet Singh Randhawa Seniors Society to increase the social participation and inclusion of seniors. By supporting projects like these under the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are ensuring seniors maintain a good quality of life and continue to be active members of their communities."
- The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)
"The well-being of Canadian seniors is a priority for our government. We demonstrate our support through community initiatives like this one and I am happy to be sharing this good news for seniors in Kelowna-Lake Country today."
- The Honourable Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country
"Isolation for seniors is a very real concern for any community. It is grants such as the New Horizons for Seniors Program that allow communities to renovate their senior centers. Without this help, the renovations would simply not be possible. Our seniors are very happy with their new space and continue to meet with others regularly in a safe and inviting environment for their social time."
- Nirmal Singh Sahota, President of Dr. Gurmeet Singh Randhawa Seniors Society
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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