April 8, 2015 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announced today that seniors in East Vancouver will soon have new opportunities to keep active, engaged and informed. The Government of Canada has approved 13 New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) community-based projects in East Vancouver, for a total of more than $226,000 in funding. These projects, approved through the NHSP’s 2014–2015 Call for Proposals, will make it possible for seniors to play a major role in a wide range of local programs and activities.
Minister Wong made this announcement today at Kiwassa Neighbourhood House, which is receiving $25,000 in NHSP funding for its Food Culture Share Project. The project aims to offer workshops and classes that will engage and educate senior participants from different cultural backgrounds about nutrition and sustainable food practices.
Other East Vancouver projects being funded focus on educational, recreational and outreach activities that promote seniors leadership and participation, as well as help provide guidance and support to community members from diverse cultural backgrounds.
“I am proud of our Government’s work to support seniors, and I am proud to work with organizations in East Vancouver that strive to enrich the lives of seniors through the meaningful projects they undertake with passion and resolve.”
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)
“Kiwassa Neighbourhood House and the seniors we serve are especially grateful and honoured for the funding that we have been awarded through the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program grant. The community-based, multicultural programming offered at Kiwassa brings together elders from all over the world to learn, interact and participate in leadership, life skills, health promotion and education programs and activities. Seniors involved in New Horizons projects are providing significant knowledge, experience and leadership, and their contributions deeply enhance the fabric of our local communities.”
– Nancy McRitchie, Executive Director, Kiwassa Neighbourhood House
Justin Wood
Office of the Minister of State (Seniors)
613-852-3761
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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The following organizations in East Vancouver are receiving funding as a result of the New Horizons for Seniors Program 2014–2015 Call for Proposals.
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. Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 13,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.
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. Economic Action Plan 2014 increased funding for the NHSP by $5 million per year, for a total of $50 million provided to this program annually.
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.
The NHSP 2014–2015 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects was launched on May 13, 2014, and is now closed. Over 1,850 NHSP community-based projects were approved through this call for proposals.
Pan-Canadian projects focus on developing tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions or Canada. These projects are eligible to receive up to $750,000 in funding for up to 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 receiving up to $100,000 in federal funding over a maximum of 24 months, 50 percent of which is being matched with funding from other sources.
The next NHSP call for proposals for community-based projects is anticipated to be launched in spring 2015. For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.
