OTTAWA, ONTARIO, November 5, 2007— The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Secretary of State (Seniors) today announced that the New Horizons for Seniors Program is now inviting non-profit organizations to apply for two new types of funding.
New Horizons for Seniors is a funding program that helps to encourage seniors across Canada to contribute to their communities and improve their social well-being by helping those in need, providing leadership, and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.
An additional $10 million per year was added to the Program's budget for: 1) local non-profit organizations that need building and equipment upgrades for existing seniors' programs and activities; and 2) national or regional projects that help raise awareness of elder abuse. The Program is inviting non-profit organizations to apply for either of these two new funding streams from November 5 until December 14, 2007.
"Our seniors have given so much to our country and our communities," stated Minister LeBreton. "They have worked hard all their lives and deserve our effort and support. The Government of Canada recognizes that seniors have helped to build this country and want to continue to make it a better place to live."
"We have listened to seniors across the country, and we have responded by addressing two key areas," stated Minister Solberg. "First, seniors and seniors' groups have identified elder abuse as a growing issue of concern. We want to break down the wall of silence and show seniors that it won't be tolerated and that help exists. Second, numerous groups have told us of the need to upgrade and modernize many of the facilities where seniors' programs currently exist."
This new funding builds upon the Program's successful efforts to support community-based projects that enable seniors to participate in and contribute to their communities.
To obtain information on how to apply for funding, please visit the New Horizons for Seniors Program Web site at www.hrsdc.gc.ca or call 1-800-277-9914 and press "0" to speak to an agent.
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backgrounder
New Horizons for Seniors Program
Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their community through their social participation and active living.
Since the Program's launch, New Horizons for Seniors has proven to be popular, funding over 1700 local projects in 430 communities across Canada.
Building on the success of the Program, in Budget 2007 the Government of Canada increased the Program's budget by $10 million per year to provide capital assistance for repairs to facilities and equipment related to existing seniors' programs, and to raise awareness of elder abuse across Canada. This has increased the total budget for the Program to $35 million per year.
As a result, the Program now offers three types of funding to organizations:
Pre-existing component
Community Participation and Leadership Funding: This funding supports community-based projects across Canada. The projects encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.
New funding components
Capital Assistance Funding: This funding will help non-profit organizations that need to upgrade facilities or equipment used for existing seniors' programs and activities. It will enable seniors to continue to lead active lives by participating in existing programs and activities in their community.
Elder Abuse Awareness Funding: This funding will help non-profit organizations and coalitions raise awareness of the abuse of older adults on a national or regional level. Through this funding, new educational and awareness resources about elder abuse will be available to improve quality of life, safety and security for seniors.
