October 13, 2010

GODERICH, ONTARIO — Seniors living in Huron-Bruce can anticipate new opportunities to participate in and contribute to their communities thanks to Government of Canada funding for 2 local projects.

Ben Lobb, Member of Parliament for Huron-Bruce, made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors).

“The Government of Canada is committed to improving the lives of seniors, and is proud to support local organizations with the same goal,” said MP Lobb. “These projects will encourage seniors to contribute their skills, knowledge and experience for the benefit of the entire community.”

“Today’s seniors know the importance of being active and staying involved in their communities,” said Minister Finley. “The New Horizons for Seniors Program is just one example of how we are helping seniors make a positive difference in their own lives and in those of the people around them.”

Ben Lobb made the announcement at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre in Saugeen Shores, which received $25,000 in funding for its project entitled The Grandparents’ Project. The project will run as a series of workshops between seniors and youth/children, where young people can learn skills such as knitting, quilting, carving, leatherworking etc.  A culminating celebration will display creations and thank participants.  The project will increase links between seniors and young people and their families in our community. 

The goal of the program is to encourage inter-generational communication and understanding between Honourary Grandparents and Grandchildren.  We will provide opportunities for seniors to create and maintain relationships with local young people and their families. 

 “We are so pleased to receive this funding as it presents such an opportunity for us. Through the Grandparents program, we will provide an opportunity for seniors and youth within our community to join forces and work together. Also, with the number of youth in our community who don't have grandparents in the immediate area, or at all, we will be able to provide them with skills they may not have learned or had handed down from their immediate family,” says Barbara Ribey, Curator/Director of the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre.

Also receiving funding was the Heritage and Culture Partnership in Huron County.  They will also receive $25,000 in funding for their Crafting Connection project that will allow seniors to share their knowledge of traditional arts and crafts with other seniors and youth, establishing an intergenerational connection and reducing the risk of social isolation amongst seniors.

"Heritage and Culture Partnership is very grateful for the funding from New Horizons for Seniors for our ‘Crafting Connections’ program. The funding will allow us create an open studio in Goderich for people of all age groups to come and learn new skills in a number of traditional crafts (including; knitting, crochet and stained glass)  from experienced local artisans and artists,” said Rick Sickinger, Coordinator of the Heritage and Culture Partnership       

Through Budget 2010, the Government invested an additional $5 million per year in the Program, bringing this year’s funding 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.

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.

For more information about the Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

 

BACKGROUNDER

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program helps ensure that seniors are able to actively contribute to and benefit from the quality of life in their communities.

The Program offers three types of funding to organizations:

1. Community Participation and Leadership funding (up to $25,000 in funding per project): This funding supports community-based projects across Canada. The projects encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership, and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.
2. Capital Assistance funding (up to $25,000 in funding per project): This funding helps non profit organizations that need to upgrade facilities or equipment used for existing seniors’ programs and activities. It enables seniors to continue to lead active lives by participating in existing programs and activities in their communities.
3. Elder Abuse Awareness funding (up to $250,000 in funding per project annually, over a maximum of three years): This funding helps non-profit organizations and coalitions raise awareness of the abuse of seniors at a national or regional level. Through this funding, new educational and awareness resources about elder abuse will be available to improve the quality of life, safety and security of seniors.

For more information on the Program, or upcoming calls for proposals, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.