THUNDER BAY – Local programs in the Thunder Bay Region that encourage seniors to remain active in their communities, and help people with disabilities to develop new job skills. The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of State (Seniors), made the announcement on Wednesday at the Lakehead Social Planning Council. This funding includes six New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) projects and one Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities (OF) project. This bundle is worth over $390,000.
“Our government is proud to partner with organizations that are committed to enhancing the lives of community residents,” said Minister of State Fantino. “By supporting these types of projects, we are helping seniors and Canadians with disabilities maximize their potential and contribute their skills and experience to the benefit of their communities.”
The Lakehead Social Planning Council, one of the six NHSP projects, received over $14,000 for its “Give Help – Get Help” project. This project will allow seniors to write and direct a video that will be used to create awareness of social issues in their community. The Alzheimer Society, Community Elder Abuse Prevention Committee, McCausland Hospital Auxiliary, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise and the Terrace Bay Superior Seniors also received NHSP funding.
In addition to this announcement, Minister of State Fantino also announced $265,000 to the Independent Living Resource Centre in Thunder Bay. The resource centre received supports for its “Creating Employment Options” project under the federal Opportunities Fund which helps Canadians with disabilities develop employment skills and gain work experience through job placements.
BACKGROUNDER
New Horizons for Seniors Program
The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from, and contribute to, the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living. Since its beginning, the Program has funded over 7 000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. Last year alone, more than 100 000 seniors in over 500 communities throughout the country were involved in projects funded by the Program.
The following six projects received NHSP funding in Thunder Bay:
— The Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay received $25,000 for its ‘Seniors Leading the Way – A Senior Volunteer Program’ project.
— The Community Elder Abuse Prevention Committee received $24,050 for its ‘Seniors, Youth and Ageism: Understanding Ageism, and its impact and providing resources to help’ project.
— The Lakehead Social Planning Council received $14,985 for its ‘Give Help – Get Help’ project.
— The McCausland Hospital Auxiliary received $13,200 for its ‘Terrace Bay/Schreiber Seniors Community Kitchen’ project.
— The PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise received $25,000 for its ‘Women’s Mentoring Program’ project.
— The Terrace Bay Superior Seniors received $23,823 for its ‘Senior Activity and Garden’ project.
Through Budget 2010, the Government invested an additional $5 million per year in the Program, bringing the total budget to $40 million. This additional funding will support projects that encourage seniors to volunteer and mentor other generations, as well as initiatives that aim to increase awareness of financial abuse.
For more information on the Program, or upcoming calls for proposals, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.
The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities helps support an array of activities, such as increasing employability skills, providing work experience and preparing individuals for self-employment.
The Independent Living Resource Centre in Thunder Bay received $265,661 from the Opportunities Fund for its ‘Creating Employment Options’ project.
The Work Experience component of the Opportunities Fund is designed to help Canadians with disabilities who have little or no work experience, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance benefits. The Fund is available to eligible organizations that provide opportunities for people with disabilities to gain paid work experience leading to potential employment.