REGINA, Nov. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announced today that seniors will have more opportunities to stay active and be engaged members of their communities as a result of funding from the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).
The University of Regina's Lifelong Learning Centre is receiving over $24,000 for its Age-Friendly Community Initiative project, which builds on the Centre's previous work, encouraging seniors to volunteer and continue to be active members of their communities. Seniors will plan and implement mentoring activities and workshops with youth in schools and with the community, and share best practices on how to help Regina become more age-friendly.
"This project brings senior volunteers and Regina youth together for a unique learning experience. It will help make Regina an age-friendly community and raise awareness about elder abuse and its prevention," said Minister Wong. "Hundreds of seniors in Regina will benefit from the project."
"The Lifelong Learning Centre is very pleased to receive funding for its Regina Age-Friendly Community Initiative from the Government of Canada," said Kerrie Strathy, Division Head of the University of Regina Lifelong Learning Centre. "Through this project, LLC staff, students, volunteers and others will work together to create a more caring and inclusive community for older adults—a community where ageism will be overcome and where older adults will be recognized and valued for the contributions they make to our city as volunteers and more."
The NHSP supports projects led or inspired by seniors who want to make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities. The Government of Canada invested over $33 million in support of over 1 750 NHSP projects that will lead to programs and activities for seniors across Canada. These projects were approved through the 2012-2013 call for proposals.
For more information on the NHSP, please visit seniors.gc.ca.
This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
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Backgrounder
New Horizons for Seniors Program
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 their communities.
Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to the benefit of 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 on July 5, 2013, across Canada, except in Alberta, where it closed on July 19, and in Quebec, where it closed on September 6, 2013. 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.
SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada
For further information (media only):
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
[email protected]
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