In a bid to keep seniors in the London region active and engaged, the federal government is chipping in more than $255,000 for 14 community-based projects.
Minister of Seniors Kamal Khera made the funding announcement at the Springbank Gardens Community Centre on Wonderland Road South on Tuesday. Organizations applied to receive the funds through the New Horizons for Seniors Program last fall.
"I have seen the real impact this program has on the lives of seniors and communities at large.... We are so fortunate as a government that we are able to partner with so many organizations like Elder Abuse London Middlesex, the Horton Street Seniors Centre, and so many more organizations that are here to deliver such important support to seniors," said Khera, who was joined by local MPs Peter Fragiskatos (London North Centre) and Arielle Kayabaga (London West).
Elder Abuse London Middlesex Inc. will get $20,667 to improve its website to increase awareness of elder abuse in the community. Westmount Gardens Long-Term Care will receive $24,989 to purchase virtual reality headsets, televisions, and iPads for technology classes for seniors. London Public Library's share of the funding is $21,200. That money will be used to combat social isolation among seniors through art, crafts, music, theatre, dance, photography, creative writing, and song circles. The Boys and Girls Club of London will get $25,000 to purchase fitness equipment, while the Secrets of Radar Museum has been awarded $24,024 to purchase new displays and a camera to showcase newly gifted radar artifacts and create digital displays to engage seniors and veterans.
Other organizations receiving funds include Siloam United Church ($25,000), Henley Place Limited ($12,800), Fanshawe College ($25,000), WLK Seniors Assistance Association Inc. ($10,740), Eldon House Corporation ($10,667), Southbridge London Seniors ($12,769), Reimagine Institute for Community Sustainability ($10,667), WeBridge Community Services ($8,800), and W.E.A.N. Community Centre ($23,094).
"I know with this investment we are ensuring that seniors can continue to remain active and engaged members of their community... I can't wait to see all the exciting things these organizations will be doing for seniors in the London community, not just for now but for years to come," said Khera. "Older Canadians have built this country. They are the backbone of our Canadian society and after a lifetime of supporting us it's upon all of us to support them."
In order to be eligible for funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, projects must meet at least one of the program’s five objectives: social participation, volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, and providing capital assistance.
Since it was launched in 2004, New Horizons has funded more than 36,500 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.
