June 26, 2015 – Ladysmith, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today announced funding of close to $142,000 for six seniors-focused community-based projects in the Nanaimo–Cowichan area of British Columbia.
Minister Wong made this announcement at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 171, in Ladysmith, which is receiving $25,000 in NHSP funding for its Handicap Access Facilities project. This project aims to upgrade facility washrooms to be wheelchair and walker accessible. These facility upgrades will enhance the Legion’s capacity to provide a safer and more accommodating environment where seniors can participate in activities such as cribbage, darts, choral presentations and painting, as well as gatherings such as luncheons and dinners.
This project and five others in the area were approved through the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) 2014–2015 Call for Proposals. The Government of Canada’s investment in these projects will enhance the capacity of each organization to conduct educational, recreational and outreach activities that promote seniors’ leadership and participation, as well as to help provide guidance and support to community members from diverse cultural backgrounds.
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 Duncan, Lake Cowichan, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, and Shawnigan, British Columbia are receiving funding as a result of the New Horizons for Seniors Program 2014–2015 Call for Proposals community-based projects.
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:
- 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 community-based and pan-Canadian projects.
The annual NHSP Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects is open until July 10, 2015 and is currently inviting organizations to apply for funding of up to $25,000 for projects that help empower seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others and support communities by increasing their capacity to address local issues. More information on how to apply is available at Canada.ca/Seniors.
The 2015–2016 NHSP Call for Proposals for Pan-Canadian Projects is open until July 10, 2015 and is currently inviting organizations to apply for funding for projects that will help to reduce social isolation among seniors by using collaborative approaches that place an emphasis on measurable results. Through this call, organizations are eligible to receive between $150,000 and $750,000 for projects up to three years in duration. The Government of Canada is partnering with the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation and its Innoweave initiative to support the development, implementation and scaling of these collaborative approaches to reduce social isolation among seniors. Applicants can contact Innoweave through its Seniors SI program to obtain support and to learn more about how organizations can work together to address social isolation. More information on how to apply for funding is also available at Canada.ca/Seniors.
For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.
