Seniors have struggled with isolation more than ever over the past two years. As COVID-19 changed our lives and forced us to stay home, many amazing community partners worked exceptionally hard to help keep seniors connected and less lonely. And much of this work was made possible with rapid funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Last year, Legion Branch 32 in Nipigon renovated and upgraded their main hall and kitchen to continue hosting band performances, disking, and euchre tournaments, and other social events to promote connection and volunteerism for local seniors when it was safe to gather again. At the same time, Nokiiwin Tribal Council in Thunder Bay launched an intergenerational mentorship program to help elders to share traditional knowledge and skills with the community and preserve that knowledge for future generations.
Both of these programs were supported with grants through the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Being connected to community and family is one of the most important aspects of keeping older people healthy. And even though loneliness is hard on us all, it is even harder on the health of older adults. That’s why the New Horizons program exists: to support projects that help keep seniors engaged, connected and healthy. Connected people means healthier communities too, so these investments are good for all of us.
The application time is back again for this program. Organizations can apply for up to $25,000 in funding for things like renovations that make their facilities more accessible, starting or expanding seniors programs, and raising awareness of the challenges seniors face.
The application is located at Canada.ca. Our office can also help any organization to apply. As always, just reach out to my office at Patty.Hajdu@parl.gc.ca or call us at 1-888-266-8004.
And reach out to the senior in your life. It will be the highlight of their day and, quite possibly yours.
Stay warm and well!
