Government of Canada helps immigrant seniors raise cultural awareness in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, Dec. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - Seniors in Vancouver will soon have new opportunities to build stronger connections within their community through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) made the announcement today at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House.

"Our government recognizes the diversity of skills, knowledge and experience seniors contribute to our society and the economy," said Minister of State Wong. "Through initiatives like this one, we are taking action to ensure that seniors maintain a good quality of life and continue to be active members of their communities."

Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House received $25,000 for its project to strengthen the connection between immigrant seniors and younger community and family members. Volunteers will help seniors document their personal stories in both digital and scrapbooking formats, and later present them as part of an intergenerational memory-keepers exhibit.

"Neighbourhood Houses provide opportunities for seniors, especially those who are vulnerable, to participate in health and wellness programs," said Jocelyne Hamel, Executive Director, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House. "Through programs such as Leaving Legacies, funded by the NHSP, we help seniors take leadership, stay connected, learn new skills, celebrate their lives—both the past and present—and give them something to look forward to in the future."

The Government of Canada is investing more than $33 million for over 1 750 NHSP projects to support programs and activities for seniors across Canada. These projects were approved through the 2012-2013 call for proposals.

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 benefit others. Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 11 200 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

NHSP funding is available for both pan-Canadian and community-based projects.

Pan-Canadian projects focus on developing or identifying tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions and the country to address elder abuse. They are eligible for up to $250,000 in funding per year for up to three years.

Community-based project funding provides support for activities that are inspired or led by seniors and address one or more of the program's five objectives. Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year per organization in grant funding. Earlier this year, the Government of Canada launched a call for proposals for community-based projects. The call closed across Canada on July 5, 2013, except in Alberta, where it closed on July 19, and in Quebec, where it closed on September 6. Project applications are currently being assessed.

A subsequent call for proposals for pilot projects was launched on October 3, 2013, and closed on November 13, 2013. This call sought proposals for larger-value, longer-duration pilot projects focussing specifically on seniors' isolation and/or intergenerational learning. Projects will receive up to $100,000 over 24 months in contribution funding, engage partners and leverage funding from other community partners.

This news release is available in alternative formats on request.

Mark Wall
Director of Communications
Office of Minister of State (Seniors), Alice Wong
1-613-617-7993

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

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Government of Canada helps immigrant seniors raise cultural awareness in Vancouver

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