Keeping Seniors Connected to their Communities
Applications for Seniors Community Grants Now Open
Ontario is helping seniors across the province continue to connect with and contribute to their communities by supporting local programs that help them stay involved, learn new skills and lead active lives.
Organizations can now apply for support for local projects through the Seniors Community Grant program. Applications will be open until March 3, 2017 and can be accessed online.
Successful projects will reflect the diversity of Ontario's seniors and encourage seniors' community involvement through volunteerism, learning, social inclusion and physical activity. Projects funded in past years have ranged from music therapy programs, to social media classes, to mentorship programs linking seniors with young people.
This year, projects focusing on raising public awareness and prevention of elder abuse will be given priority. This is part of the government's commitment to help stop elder abuse by supporting a secure and supportive environment for Ontario's seniors.
Supporting our seniors is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
QUOTES
" The Seniors Community Grant program has been a huge success across the province for more than three years. These projects continue to provide unique opportunities for seniors to be engaged and to contribute to their communities."
- Dipika Damerla
Minister Responsible for Seniors Affairs
" Our local seniors are vibrant and dynamic. With the government’s Seniors Community Grant program, individuals and organizations in London can now apply for project funding to help them stay active, healthy and engaged in our community."
- Deb Matthews
MPP, London North Centre
" Engaging seniors with regular volunteer activities here at the Old East Village Grocer helps to reduce social isolation. It increases their civic participation and connects them with their community. With the support of the Ontario government, we believe the Seniors Community Grant program can help us improve the lives of local seniors."
- Vicki Mayer
Executive Director, ATN Access Inc.
QUICK FACTS
• The Seniors Community Grant program is Ontario’s first program dedicated solely to supporting seniors. It focuses on initiatives and projects in the non-profit sector that encourage greater social inclusion, volunteerism, education and community engagement for seniors across the province.
• Launched in 2014, the program has invested $5 million to support 923 projects impacting approximately 256,000 seniors across the province.
• Ontario was the first province in Canada to introduce a strategy to combat elder abuse. The strategy has three key priorities: coordination of community services, training for front-line staff and public education to raise awareness.
LEARN MORE
• For more information about the program and how to apply, please visit www.ontario.ca/seniors or call 1-866-724-2017.
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Dipika Damerla 11/27/2016 |
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