Seniors in Etobicoke have the opportunity to participate in a new project benefiting many in their community
News Release
April 22, 2016 Etobicoke, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, is pleased to announce the Government of Canada will invest in community-based projects to support seniors across Canada.
Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, investments in Canadian communities will allow initiatives, such as the Gardening Brightens Seniors Lives initiative, build stronger communities, create good jobs and encourage clean economic growth. Partnerships with local governments, institutions and organizations are vital to deliver change and improve the lives of seniors in the Etobicoke region and right across the nation.
The Rexdale Community Hub is one of 11 organizations located in the Etobicoke area that are receiving more than $200,000 for projects funded through the New Horizons Seniors Program. The funds will help hundreds of senior Canadians in Etobicoke participate in activities that promote healthy living and vitality and inspire a sense of community among a variety of groups.
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada is providing approximately $35 million in New Horizons for Seniors Program funding for close to 1,850 community-based projects approved through the program’s 2015–2016 Call for Proposals.
- Eligible organizations can receive up to $25,000 in funding for community-based projects that are led or inspired by seniors.
- Since 2004, the program has funded close to 17,800 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, with a total Government of Canada investment of more than $360 million.
Quotes
“Through the many community-based projects we support each year, our government helps provide seniors with unique opportunities to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others in their community. Initiatives such as this highlight our commitment to the wellbeing of seniors and strengthen the fabric of our society through partnerships.”
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
“Our government is dedicated to ensuring that Canadian seniors can get involved in community activities that meet their needs and interests, tap their collective resources and experiences, and promote their participation. We support New Horizons for Seniors Program projects so that seniors in Etobicoke North and across Canada can lead and participate in local activities that enrich their lives.”
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, and Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North
“These funds will support new programs and activities at Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services along with St. Timothy Presbyterian Church. It’s in these spaces, and with the support of such programs, that some of our most valued members of society can connect with each other and stay healthy and active.”
– Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre
“When the senior of Etobicoke–Lakeshore have access to new activities that are supported by New Horizons for Seniors Program they can connect with their community in new and meaningful ways. These funds will help a variety of local initiatives, including an updated kitchen for the Franklin Horner Community Centre. I am proud of our government’s commitment to programs that advance the health and wellbeing of our seniors.”
– James Maloney, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke–Lakeshore
Associated Links
Contacts
Véronique Perron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Science
343-291-2600
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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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 per year per organization in grant funding.
Close to 1,850 projects across Canada were approved through the NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects and are now in progress.
The NHSP 2015–2016 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects closed on July 10, 2015. 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.
Projects approved in Etobicoke include the following:
| Organization |
Project Name |
ESDC Funding |
| Campbellford Lawn Bowling Club |
Kitchen Upgrade-Improving Organization and Cleanliness and Supporting Socialization |
$11,847 |
| Franklin Horner Community Centre |
Capital Kitchen Replacement - Our Social Hub! |
$25,000 |
| Haldimand Stewardship Council Inc. |
Haldimand SCRAMBLE (Species Crossing Roads Are Monitored By Local Eyes) |
$11,500 |
| Haven on the Queensway |
Green Thumbs Up: Seniors & Food |
$20,200 |
| Malton Seventh-day Adventist Church |
55+ Ukelele Players |
$12,250 |
| Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services |
Silver Lining Community Project |
$24,898 |
| Rexdale Community Hub |
Gardening Brightens Seniors' Lives |
$25,000 |
| Royal Canadian Legion, Longbranch Branch 101 |
Senior 101 Walk on the Wild Side |
$24,999 |
| St. Timothy Presbyterian Church |
"Healthy Lives for Seniors" Project |
$25,000 |
| StoreFront Humber |
Elder Abuse Awareness for Mimico and New Toronto Seniors |
$15,000 |
| Toronto Chinese Folk Art Centre |
Folk Dancing in Mandarin Senior Community |
$23,890 |
It is anticipated that the NHSP 2016–2017 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects will be launched in spring 2016. For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.
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 submitted an impact plan describing the roles they and their project partners would play in addressing the important issue of social isolation among seniors by using collaborative approaches that place an emphasis on measurable results.
Successful projects are up to three years in duration and are receiving funding between $150,000 and $750,000.
More than $24.3 million (more than $8.1 million per year over the next three years) will be made available for pan-Canadian projects funded through the 2015–2016 NHSP Call for Proposals.
For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.
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