May 22, 2015– Vaughan, Ontario – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), joined by Member of Parliament for Vaughan, the Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence, , announced more than $267,000 in funding to twelve seniors-focused community-based projects in Vaughan, Woodbridge, Maple and Kleinberg.
The Government of Canada has approved twelve New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) projects based on applications from various Vaughan-based community groups through the NHSP’s 2014–2015 Call for Proposals. The Government of Canada’s investment in these projects will make it possible for Vaughan seniors to keep playing a major role in a wide range of local programs and activities.
Ministers Wong and Fantino made this announcement at the Seniors’ Association of Vaughan Initiative (SAVI), which is receiving $25,000 in NHSP funding for its project Venturing Together, Entertainment, Seniors Workshops and Seminars. This project aims to expand awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse. SAVI will use NHSP funding to acquire audio-visual equipment and conduct workshops and seminars providing participants with information on financial budgeting as well as health and nutrition. Seniors will help plan, organize and conduct the project.
Other Vaughan-based projects announced today (see full list in the ‘Backgrounder’ included below) 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 to work with organizations such as the Seniors’ Association of Vaughan Initiative, whose project will go a long way to help seniors manage their financial matters and avoid becoming victims of financial abuse.”
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)
“I am thrilled that the Government of Canada is investing over $267,000 in Vaughan-based seniors projects. This significant investment underlines the valuable role that seniors play in Vaughan and our Government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for seniors. I congratulate and thank our local seniors involved in all these twelve projects. Their hard work will make them a success, and make Vaughan an even better place to live for all. This new investment will mean that a grand total of 53 New Horizons for Seniors Program projects, totaling over $940,000, have been funded in Vaughan since 2010. This is a record our community and local seniors should be extremely proud of.”
– The Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Vaughan
“The grant we received from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program has helped us meet the growing demand for social, cultural, recreational and educational activities aimed at reducing isolation and promoting social interaction among seniors. Workshops we will be conducting on managing one’s financial matters and on health nutrition will benefit many seniors in the City of Vaughan.”
– Isabella Ferrara, President, SAVI
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
Follow us on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
The following organizations in Vaughan, Woodbridge, Maple and Kleinberg, Ontario are receiving funding as a result of the New Horizons for Seniors Program 2014–2015 Call for Proposals.
New Horizons for Seniors Program
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 pan-Canadian projects and community-based projects.
Pan-Canadian projects funded through the 2015–2016 call for proposals, to be launched May 29, 2015 will help to prevent and reduce social isolation among seniors. Successful projects will be up to three years in duration and funded between $150,000 and $750,000.
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 in grant funding per year, per organization.
Over 1,850 projects were approved through the NHSP 2014–2015 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects. The next call for proposals for community-based projects will be launched May 29, 2015.
For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.
