Government of Canada helps establish a new initiative for seniors' Cantonese Opera Troupe in

Government of Canada helps establish a new initiative for seniors' Cantonese Opera Troupe in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, June 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Seniors in Vancouver will soon have new opportunities to get involved in their community, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announced today. The Vancouver Seniors' Singing Club Association is receiving over $23,000 through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) for its Cantonese Opera Troupe for Seniors. An estimated 800 Canadians in the area will benefit from the project.

Local seniors will be recruited and trained by the Vancouver Seniors' Singing Club Association to manage and perform in the Cantonese Opera Troupe for Seniors. The project will encourage seniors to forge new connections in their community and take on roles as volunteers, mentors, performers, musicians, technicians and planners.

On May 13, 2014, Minister Wong launched the NHSP 2014-2015 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects. Organizations have until July 4, 2014, to apply for up to $25,000 in grant funding for projects led or inspired by seniors making a difference in their communities. Visit www.esdc.gc.ca/seniors for more information.

Quick Facts

Cantonese opera, which has its roots in the 13^th century, is a unique blend of singing, music, acrobatics, martial arts and acting. Vancouver is home to one of the world's largest and most active Cantonese opera communities outside of Asia.
The Government of Canada is providing more than $33.4 million in funding for over 1,770 community-based projects approved through the NHSP 2013-2014 call for proposals. NHSP-funded projects help ensure that seniors maintain a good quality of life and are able to be active, participating members of their communities.
Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes an additional $5 million per year for the NHSP to support projects that benefit seniors. This is in addition to the $45 million the Government already provides to this program annually.

Quotes

"Our government is proud to work with the Vancouver Seniors' Singing Club Association to support a new cultural initiative for the senior's Cantonese Opera Troupe. This intergenerational project helps to ensure seniors remain active and productive members of their community through the arts by performing with this city's youth.."
- The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

"Our organization's Cantonese Opera Troupe for Seniors project is supported by New Horizons for Seniors Program funding. The troupe is inspired and led by seniors and encourages their pursuit of artistic and cultural achievements. The program also gives seniors an opportunity to share their operatic knowledge with others, or receive training so they can learn to sing and play Cantonese opera on the stage to entertain large groups of seniors. The troupe is the very first one established in Vancouver for seniors to pursue this traditional Chinese art form."
- Eric Szeto, President of the Vancouver Seniors' Singing Club Association

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Backgrounder

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 in their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to the benefit of others.

NHSP funding is targeted to community-based projects, pan-Canadian projects and pilot projects that focus on issues such as social isolation and intergenerational learning.

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 per year per organization in grant funding.

Pan-Canadian projects provide support to help seniors protect themselves from elder abuse, including financial abuse and fraud. These projects help community members recognize elder abuse in all its forms and improve the quality of life, safety and security of seniors. Projects focus on developing tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions or Canada. These projects may be eligible to receive up to $250,000 per year for a maximum of three years.

Pilot project funding provides support to help address seniors' isolation by establishing better social support networks and resources and initiating community interventions. It also supports intergenerational learning projects that help seniors develop new interests and share their knowledge and experience with others. These pilot projects are eligible to receive up to $100,000 in federal funding over a maximum of 24 months, which will be matched with funding from other sources.

For more information on the NHSP, visit esdc.gc.ca/seniors.

SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada

For further information:

Earl Maynard
Office of the Minister of State (Seniors)
819-953-1144

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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