CAYUGA, ONTARIO, February 23, 2011 - Local seniors in Cayuga have the opportunity to share their skills, knowledge and experience with others, thanks to support from the Government of Canada. The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Member of Parliament for Haldimand-Norfolk, made the announcement today.
Minister Finley is responsible for the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which is providing support for this project.
"The Government of Canada is improving the lives of seniors, and is proud to support local organizations with the same goal," said Minister Finley. "This project is an excellent opportunity for seniors to demonstrate their creativity and contribute to the quality of life in their community."
Community Living Haldimand is receiving over $23,000 for its project, Acting Like Seniors: Raising Awareness of the Aging Process through Theatre. Through this project, seniors are developing short skits on the process of aging and how different people are affected. The seniors will perform these skits to raise community awareness about seniors' issues and the support services available in the area. This creative process, from skit development to final performances, will be filmed and edited to create a short documentary.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
New Horizons for Seniors Program
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 communities through their social participation and active living. Since its beginning, the Program has funded over 7 000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. Last year alone, more than 100 000 seniors in over 500 communities throughout the country were involved in projects funded by the Program.
Through Budget 2010, the Government invested an additional $5 million per year in the Program, bringing the total budget to $40 million. This additional funding will support projects that encourage seniors to volunteer and mentor other generations, as well as initiatives that aim to increase awareness of financial abuse.
For more information on the Program, or upcoming calls for proposals, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.
