Seniors in Vancouver Island North will soon have new opportunities to volunteer, mentor younger generations, help raise awareness of elder abuse and take part in social activities thanks to the funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program announced by John Duncan, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North, on behalf of the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors).
“Our Government is proud to work with organizations across Canada that involve seniors in local projects showcasing their skills, knowledge and experience,” Wong said.
“Our Government recognizes the valuable contribution seniors have made to our society and the economy. By supporting New Horizons for Seniors Program projects, we are acting to ensure that seniors maintain a good quality of life and continue to be active members of their communities,” Duncan said.
Ten local organizations are receiving funding for their projects from the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
- Association Francophone de Campbell River – Seniors involved with the organization will lead meetings and exchanges, sharing experiences and values, with Grade 8 French immersion youth who will document and share these through various medias.
- Campbell River & District Museum and Archives, Campbell River – Seniors involved with the organization will interview other seniors to create a video documentary about agricultural production methods of the past.
- Campbell River and District Adult Care Society – The organiztion will purchase and install automatic doors with mag locks and doorbells to continue with lunch, exercise, music and day tour programs for seniors to remain active and less isolated.
- Campbell River Head Injury Support Society – Seniors involved with the organization will be involved in all aspects of the creation of an educational DVD relating to the effects of brain injuries on seniors and other generations.
- Campbell River Women’s Centre – Seniors involved with theorganization will establish a coordinated community response network and provide community education, primarity to seniors, about elder abuse.
- Heritage Hall Community Club, Sayward – The organization will replace the roof and resurface the concrete floor of their Pavilion to allow seniors to continue with carpet bowling, garden club, pot luck dinners and other activities.
- Quadra Circle – Seniors involved with the organization will expand their volunteer base by opening a centre to recruit and train seniors and others as volunteers in recreation and other community services.
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 154 Quadra Island – The organization will repair the foundation, replace windows and add insulation to allow seniors to continue with memorial services, meetings and physical activities.
- Sasamans Society – The organization will offer 12 one-day training sessions on public speaking, communications, conflict resolution and self-care to community Elders to increase volunteer participation in the community.
- Campbell River Seniors Centre Society – The organization will replace appliances and renovate its kitchen to be able to allow seniors to continue to participate in a hot lunch program to engage isolated and low-income seniors.
Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes an additional $5 million per year for the New Horizons for Seniors Program to support additional projects that benefit seniors. Since 2006, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded more than 13,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.