Government of Canada invests in YWCA elder abuse awareness project in Metro Vancouver

VANCOUVER, Feb. 21, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today announced that seniors in British Columbia and all across Canada will benefit from a project that will help raise awareness about elder abuse.

The YWCA Metro Vancouver's project is receiving $485,000 in federal funding. The funding is provided through the pan-Canadian stream of the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), which supports projects led or inspired by seniors who want to make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities.

Through its project, the YWCA Metro Vancouver will develop a "Train-the-Trainer" instructional module and deliver training sessions that will enable front-line staff to better detect and prevent elder abuse. The YWCA aims to engage and educate community members and further promote the safety and security of Canadian seniors.

Quick facts

• Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes an additional $5 million per year for the New Horizons for Seniors Program to support additional community projects that benefit seniors.
  
  
• Pan-Canadian projects are eligible for grant or contribution funding of up to $250,000 per year for up to three years. Pan-Canadian funding supports larger projects that increase awareness of elder abuse and help seniors protect themselves from fraud, financial abuse and other forms of abuse, and can be replicated across Canada, complementing community-based projects.
  
  
• The YWCA Metro Vancouver's project is one of 33 pan-Canadian NHSP projects, totalling more than $14 million, which were announced on June 15, 2012.
  
  
• Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 11 200 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. NHSP funding is targeted to both pan-Canadian and community-based projects.
  
  
• In 2013, over 1 750 NHSP community-based projects across Canada were approved through the 2012-2013 call for proposals and received more than $33 million in funding.

Quotes

"Our government is committed to ensuring all Canadian seniors have the information and tools they need to stop elder abuse. By promoting awareness of elder abuse and supporting prevention activities, the Government of Canada is helping to safeguard the well-being and security of seniors."
- The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

"YWCA Metro Vancouver has a history of helping women and families, so we were thrilled to expand our services to meet the needs of older adults. The YWCA Community Action on Elder Abuse project complements existing national awareness projects and strengthens the capacity of front-line staff and volunteers. We are grateful to the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program for providing funding that supports action against abuse of older adults."
- Jemma Templeton, Manager, Community Action on Elder Abuse Project

Associated Links

Pan-Canadian Projects: New Horizons for Seniors Funding Program

seniors.gc.ca

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. The NHSP is part of the Government of Canada's commitment to ensure the well-being of Canadian seniors and combat elder abuse in all its forms. Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 11 200 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

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. This funding can enable community members to better recognize elder abuse in all its forms and to improve the quality of life, safety and security of seniors. Eligible pan-Canadian grant or contribution projects must have a broad reach and impact. They are eligible for up to $250,000 in funding per year, for up to three years.

Other actions taken by the Government of Canada to combat elder abuse

In 2008, the Government launched the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative (FEAI), a multi-departmental, three-year initiative to help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and to provide information on available supports. This initiative successfully concluded in 2011.

Building on the momentum created by the FEAI, the Government continues to address elder abuse through awareness campaigns that aim to help Canadians recognize the signs of elder abuse and give them information on available resources and supports.

In addition, the Government is addressing elder abuse through legislation that will help ensure consistently tough penalties for offences involving the abuse of elderly people.

For more information on the NHSP, call 1 800 O-Canada or visit seniors.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada

For further information:

Earl Maynard
Office of the Minister of State (Seniors)
613-716-5422

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]
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