For Immediate Release
MAY 4, 2021
THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA LAUNCHES 4 NEW COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECTS IN COQUITLAM AND PORT COQUITLAM TO SUPPORT SENIORS
Coquitlam, BC — Far too many seniors face isolation in their retirement years. This was a fact even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Canada is committed to empowering seniors by supporting opportunities for older Canadians to stay involved and engaged in their communities.
Last week, Ron McKinnon, Member of Parliament for Coquitlam – Port Coquitlam, on behalf of Canada's Minister of Seniors, Deb Schulte, announced an investment of $94,903 for 4 community-based projects in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam. These projects will help seniors stay active, informed, and socially connected in their community. This funding was awarded through the New Horizons for Seniors Program's recent call for proposals for community-based projects.
Quotes
"I am proud of the thousands of projects funded through the New Horizons for Seniors Program across the country, helping Canadian seniors stay active and connected during this unprecedented time. Seniors have given and continue to give so much to our country—it is important to provide them with the programs and support they deserve." – The Honourable Deb Schulte, Minister of Seniors
"Seniors make a significant and valuable contribution to their families, communities and society. Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Government of Canada is supporting projects which make a real difference in the lives of seniors in Coquitlam – Port Coquitlam each and every day." – Ron McKinnon, Member of Parliament for Coquitlam – Port Coquitlam
"On behalf of those living at Hawthorne Seniors Care Community, we are delighted to receive the New Horizon's for Seniors Grant this year. The funds will be used to enable Hawthorne seniors to connect with their community virtually and safely. It will support them to engage more fully with their families during the pandemic." – Lenore Pickering, Hawthorne Seniors Care Community
"The residents at Mayfair Terrace Retirement Residence have rallied through the pandemic with remarkable spirit. Despite the limitations COVID-19 has imposed on their daily lives, they have not let this slow them down. We are committed to ensuring our residents thrive through a wide range of programs, from book clubs to exercise to gardening. We are grateful for the support from the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This funding will enable us to provide more innovative activities that engage seniors living at Mayfair Terrace mentally, socially and physically." – Wendy Rachwalski, Mayfair Terrace Retirement Residence
"It is a known fact that the pandemic has adversely affected us all, especially the seniors community. Therefore, our sincere appreciation goes to the Canadian Government for providing us with the necessary financial support through the New Horizons Project. This initiative will go a long way in providing our seniors with mental health and counselling assistance during these unprecedented and challenging times facing our world." – Timi Owobo-Judah, Sure World Ministries
Quick Facts
- Every year, organizations are invited to apply for New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) community-based funding through a call for proposals. The projects announced today were approved as part of a call for proposals that was launched on September 9, 2020, and closed on October 23, 2020.
- NHSP is a federal grants and contributions program whose goal is to support projects that help foster social inclusion and improve seniors' health and well-being.
- The funding helps support activities that engage seniors in their communities and address one or more of the program's five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance.
- Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding. Additional grants of up to $5,000 were available for organizations that have not received funding from the program in the past five years.
- This year, increased funding and improvements to the program resulted in the highest number of applications ever, almost double the number of projects serving rural seniors, and a greater share of funded projects serving vulnerable seniors.
- Those improvements include updates to national priorities—including targeting vulnerable and rural seniors—improvements to the application process and program delivery, such as a longer intake period, more time to provide missing information, increased use of plain language and focusing support in communities with recent low uptake. These changes emphasized applicants' ability to serve seniors over navigating an application process while maintaining the same standards and rigour.
- Since 2004, the NHSP has funded over 30,000 projects, including projects related to COVID-19, in hundreds of communities across Canada, with a total Government of Canada investment of more than $600 million. NHSP funding supports community-based projects and pan-Canadian projects.
Project Details
| Hawthorne Seniors Care Community | Social Participation and Inclusion of Seniors | The organization will purchase electronics to offer virtual physical activities in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. | $24,333 |
|
Mayfair Terrace Retirement Residence |
Social Participation and Inclusion of Seniors | Seniors involved with the organization will offer a music club, virtual Zumba, gardening, and a book club in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. | $23,750 |
| Sure World Ministries | Social Participation and Inclusion of Seniors | Seniors involved with the organization will offer online counselling in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. | $25,000 |
|
Astoria Retirement Residence |
Social Participation and Inclusion of Seniors | Seniors involved with the organization will provide a music club, book club, virtual Zumba, and gardening in order to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. | $23,000 |
Associated Links
- New Horizons for Seniors Program – Engaging seniors, strengthening communities
- Programs and services for seniors
- Prime Minister announces additional support for Canadian seniors
- Prime Minister announces support for vulnerable Canadians affected by COVID-19
For media enquiries, please contact:
Christopher Lalande
Office of Ron McKinnon, MP
613.992.9650
Daniel Pollak
Office of the Minister of Seniors, Deb Schulte
343.551.7558