The Government of Canada is committed to empowering seniors by supporting new opportunities for older Canadians to stay informed, engaged and connected.
Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Deb Schulte, Minister of Seniors, announced an investment of $433,747 for 23 projects that will support seniors’ needs. These projects were successful through the most recent call for proposals of the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), community-based stream. However, regardless of the nature of the approved projects, organizations can now use their funding to provide immediate and essential support for seniors impacted by COVID-19.
AVENS - A Community for Seniors, received $25,000 for their project. The funds were used to lead workshops on composting and gardening with other seniors to promote social inclusion, healthy aging, and volunteering/mentoring with others.
The NHSP provides grants and contributions for projects that help improve the well-being of seniors and foster their social inclusion. NHSP recipients who will not or cannot provide programs or services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be given more time to conclude their projects. Instead of the usual 12-month period, organizations now have up to two years to finish their projects.
Quotes
“We’re proud to work with local partners to provide programs and services for seniors that keep them connected. Because seniors are staying safe by isolating at home, we also need to provide new kinds of help. So we’ve provided flexibility for previously approved projects to be modified to meet seniors’ needs during this unprecedented public health crisis. When seniors are respected, valued and included in our communities, their health and well-being is enhanced and our communities benefit.”
“Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Government of Canada is providing a wide range of opportunities for seniors across the Northwest Territories from Tuktoyaktuk to Fort Smith to participate in meaningful activities that nurture their personal growth and foster community vitality.”
Our successful Growing Green with Seniors project with the help of the New Horizons for Seniors Program has enabled AVENS to design build a new commercial greenhouse for our seniors' campus. Finding solutions for food security, dealing with social isolation and encouraging social inclusion were the hallmarks of this project's success, thus fulfilling our vision of a safe and caring community for life.
- Daryl Dolynny, Chief Executive Officer, AVENS- A Community for Seniors
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Programs and services for seniors
New Horizons for Seniors Program – Engaging seniors, strengthening communities
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
Office of Michael McLeod
Approved Projects
AVENS - A Community for Seniors- $25,000
Seniors involved with the organization will lead workshops on composting and gardening with other seniors to promote social inclusion, healthy aging, and volunteering/mentoring with others.
Ayoni Keh Land Corporation- $25,000
Seniors involved with the organization will lead activities such as preparing traditional food and spreading knowledge on elder abuse in order to promote mentorship.
Chief Julius School- $17,750
Seniors involved with the organization will mentor youth and share traditional knowledge through activities such as cooking, sewing and on the land activities to promote seniors' mentorship.
City of Yellowknife- $14,402
Seniors involved in the organization will be trained to lead aquafit classes to their peers to promote inclusion, volunteerism and an active lifestyles.
Dene Nation- Yellowknife- $25,000
Seniors involved with the organization will participate in the Dene National Assembly in order to engage seniors in the community through the mentoring of others.
Enterprise Senior Society- $17,500
Seniors involved with the organization will host social events such as celebrations, games, and movies.
Family Support Centre- $21,866
Seniors involved with the organization will participate in elder abuse workshops and translate information from English into other languages in order to expand awareness of elder abuse.
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation-14,000
Seniors involved with the organization will lead traditional arts and crafts, dancing and music sessions with Inuvik youth to engage them with their culture and keep traditions alive.
Inuvik Native Band- $25,000
Seniors involved with the organization will share their stories, pictures and videos to create an online scrapbook and blog and also attend the 2020 National Elders Gathering.
K'asho Got'ine Housing Society- $24,000
Seniors involved with the organization will develop on-the-land healing programs and participate in meal-time mentoring to promote seniors' mentorship of others.
Kátl’odeeche Ohn Dah’- $25,000
Seniors involved with the organization will participate in weekly activity nights with youth, such as basket-weaving and making bannock, in order to promote their social participation.
La Fédération franco-ténoise- $17,250
Les aînés de l’organisation participeront dans une journée de consultation et réflexion communautaire afin de créer un atelier sur le thème de vieillir en santé.
N.W.T. Community Services Corporation- $11,580
Seniors involved with the organization will participate in exercise classes twice a week and use internet access to promote healthy aging and stay connected with their loved ones, respectively.
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation- $7,066
Seniors involved with the organization will teach youth about traditional values and create a safe space to mingle with other seniors to increase social participation among seniors.
Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre- $25,000
Seniors involved with the organization will participate in cultural programs, such as games nights, sewing programs, medicinal plant picking and an elder abuse workshop, with local youth.
Tetlit Gwich'in Council- $25,000
Seniors involved with the organization will develop and participate in a roundtable discussions in order to promote seniors' mentorship of others.
Tlicho Leagia Ts’iili Ko- $25,000
Seniors involved with the organization along with facilitators, translators and medical personnel will hold information sessions to help Elders understand current medical practices and diseases.
Tuktoyaktuk Elders Committee (TEC)- $25,000
Seniors involved with the organization will participate in six traditional activities, such as whale hunting and fiddle/guitar lessons, to promote seniors' mentorship of others.
Uncle Gabe's Friendship Centre- $25,000
Seniors involved with the organization will lead and participate in weekly sewing circles where they will speak in Cree to promote language revitalization and make goods that may later be sold.
Yellowknives Dene First Nation- $25,000
Seniors involved with the organization will mentor community members who will learn the responsibilities of being an Elder and participate in the 2020 Community Gathering to promote mentorship.
Fort Providence Hand Game Committee- $5,000
Seniors involved with the organization will attend a tournament to mentor youth in Hand Game rules and drumming as well as encourage the youth to speak in the Dene language of South Slavey.
Incorporated Hamlet of Tulita- $3,333
Seniors involved with the organization will hire a computer technician and an Elder support person to interview elders and develop a dictionary that will be translated electronically to support language classes and tourism.
Hay River Committee for Persons with Disabilities- $5,000
The organization will purchase a laptop, desktop and tablets for seniors to learn about identity theft, social media and communications tools to stay connected with family.
