April 15, 2015– Mississauga, Ontario – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), joined by Brad Butt, Member of Parliament for Mississauga–Streetsville, announced today that seniors in Mississauga will soon have new opportunities to keep active, engaged and informed. The Government of Canada has approved New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) funding of more than $24,000 for the Canadian Coptic Centre’s project, Great Plans for Seniors. This project, approved through the NHSP’s 2014–2015 call for proposals, will make it possible for seniors to take part in a wide range of local programs and activities.
The Great Plans for Seniors project aims to reach out to seniors in their community and encourage them to participate in recreational activities and seminars. Seminars will cover topics such as dealing with stress and isolation and learning more about Canadian heritage and culture. These activities will help narrow the cultural gap that can exist between these seniors and their families. The project will enhance seniors’ knowledge of their current social environment and help them adapt to the cultural shift they face as newcomers to Canada. The project will also educate community youth about the needs of seniors.
“I am proud to work with organizations such as the Canadian Coptic Centre, whose project will go a long way to enrich the lives of seniors and help them adapt to the cultural shift they experience as newcomers to Canada.”
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)
“Since I became Member of Parliament, I’ve put seniors’ issues at the top of my agenda. Seniors in my constituency know well that our Government is committed to serving them with respect, listening to their needs, and working hard for them in Parliament.”
– Brad Butt, Member of Parliament for Mississauga–Streetsville
“Thanks to the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Canadian Coptic Centre has been able to better serve Mississauga seniors. For more than 30 years, the Coptic Centre has reached out to local seniors, focusing on their mental and physical health and finding ways to encourage them to integrate into the community.”
– Father Angelos Saad, Chair, Canadian Coptic Centre
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 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.
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.
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.
