Several local seniors groups and agencies that work with seniors will receive up to $25,000 in federal funds to help them do everything from improving food security to buying computers.

On May 23, Canada鈥檚 Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera, announced an investment of more than $61 million to fund more than 3,000 community-based projects to support seniors across the country. This funding was awarded through the most recent call for proposals through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).

This announcement includes an investment to 402 projects in British Columbia that will help seniors stay active, informed and socially connected in their community.

The Government invests approximately $50M per year to support NHSP community-based projects. In Budget 2022, an additional $20 million over two years was proposed, for an expanded NHSP to support more projects that improve the quality of life of seniors and help them to continue to participate fully in their communities.

As part of the 2022-23 NHSP call for proposals for community-based projects, organizations were invited to apply for funding that created opportunities for seniors to be more connected, supported and active members of their communities.

鈥淧romoting healthy ageing and empowering seniors is essential in building inclusive, age-friendly communities,鈥� Khera said. 鈥淓very year, the New Horizons for Seniors program plays a crucial role in enhancing seniors鈥� quality of life by providing funding for thousands of projects across Canada. Those initiatives offer hands-on activities that enable seniors to remain active, expand their social network, engage in learning experiences, and age in their own homes and communities. By participating in these projects, seniors across the country can lead fulfilling lives and remain engaged members of our communities.鈥�

鈥� 91原创 Senior Resources Society for Aging Well in 91原创. The organization will purchase computer equipment to continue to offer learning seminars to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors. $25,000.

鈥� 91原创 Meals on Wheels (LMOW) for Spoons on Fire. Seniors involved in the organization will volunteer and mentor youth while addressing food insecurities for vulnerable populations and offer food processing literacy to reduce social isolation. $24,625.

鈥� B.C. Wildlife Federation , Port Kells, for Fishing Forever. Seniors involved with the organization will plan and attend fishing events to promote social interaction and physical well-being to enable seniors to enjoy outdoor recreation without barriers. $25,000.

鈥� BC Association of Community Response Networks, Walnut Grove, for increasing recreation, social & intergenerational connections. Seniors involved with the organization will provide peer support, engage in exercise and learning sessions to promote elder abuse awareness, social inclusion and improved well-being. $24,000.

鈥� Aldergrove Veterans and Seniors Society to update security and comfort. The organization will replace windows and doors, update the security system and install a new entrance automation system to ensure the safety and comfort of those using the facility. $25,000.

鈥� 91原创 Gymnastics Foundation for Seniors Can Move. Seniors involved with the organization will participate in classes to improve their mobility and fitness to promote healthy and independent living. $25,000.

鈥� Aldergrove Legion for lounge and hall improvements. The organization will replace the front doors and purchase new chairs to allow seniors to continue to attend social events and activities, where they can meet with friends, dance and feel safe. $25,000.

鈥� 91原创 Arts Council for seniors鈥� art and community programming. Seniors involved with the organization will participate in arts and cultural programming: drawing, painting, creative writing, sculpture, and more to promote inclusion and volunteerism. $20,815.

鈥� The Village 91原创 for the Helping Hands Program - Weekend Shop and Mail Deliveries .

Seniors involved with the organization, specifically those living with dementia will be provided with tasks that they can pursue each day to foster their confidence and reduce their social isolation. $2,838.

鈥� 91原创 Environmental Partners Society for Sowing Seeds of Community Connection. Seniors involved with the organization will participate in an intergenerational vegetable gardening club and fruit tree gleaning project to promote social participation. $19,333.

鈥� Foodlands, Aldergrove, for supporting elder farmers and sharing their wisdom. Seniors involved with the organization will allow farmers in rural areas across British Columbia to pass down farming knowledge through interviews to promote social inclusion. $23,000.

鈥� 91原创 Volunteer Bureau for the Snow Angel Program. The organization will assist seniors with mobility issues and people with limited mobility, help to clear their adjacent city and township sidewalks, as required by municipal bylaws, when it snows. $23,333.

鈥� African Stages Association of BC, Cloverdale, for a Tohio Vlog. The organization will purchase computers to allow seniors to livestream and bring African folk stories narrated by African Seniors/elders to virtual audiences and mentor others. $21,333.

鈥� Waceya M茅tis Society, Cloverdale, for M茅tis senior lunches and social activities. The organization will engage senior M茅tis Indigenous members in social activities that encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle as well as improve the mental and physical health of our seniors. $6,890.

鈥� Brookside Lodge Care Community, Clayton, for Cultivating Connections Through Play. The organization will purchase a Tovertafel for seniors with dementia and other cognitive delays to reduce isolation and increase quality of life. $17,304.

鈥� 3Hnovation Inc., Clayton, for seniors incubator program for independence and abuse prevention. A seniors committee will deliver workshops on technology, financial abuse and inter-generational mentorship to help seniors age in place. $25,000.

鈥� HeadHeartHand Foundation, Clayton, for African & African descent seniors community forums. Seniors will participate in programs for financial literacy, ageism and intergenerational mentoring to support a healthy lifestyle and reduce isolation. $25,000.

Seniors in Canada

鈥� Seniors are one of Canada鈥檚 fastest-growing population groups. They will represent almost 25% of the population by 2051 and could reach close to 11 million people within 15 years.

鈥� The New Horizons for Seniors Program is a federal grants and contributions program whose goal is to support projects that help seniors stay active and engaged in the community. Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding.

鈥� Since its inception, NHSP has funded more than 36,500 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, with the Government of Canada having invested a total of more than $780 million.

鈥� Program funding supports projects that address one or more of the program鈥檚 five objectives: social participation, volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse and providing capital assistance.

鈥� Every year, organizations are invited to apply for 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 Sept.21, 2022, and closed on Nov. 1, 2022.

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