Government of Canada funds 19 projects in Windsor to empower seniors in their communities

WINDSOR, ON, July 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Seniors have made and continue to make significant and valuable contributions to their families, communities and workplaces. The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting local organizations that empower seniors, promote engagement within their communities and contribute to their health and well-being.

Today, Canada's Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera, announced an investment of $400,592 to fund 19 community-based projects to support seniors in Windsor, Ontario. The Minister made the announcement while visiting Women's Entreprise Skills Training of Windsor and was joined by Irek Kusmierczyk, Member for Parliament for Windsor?Tecumseh. Women's Entreprise Skills Training of Windsor's project brings seniors and youth together to learn each other's recipes, through virtual and in-person cooking workshops that reduce social isolation.This funding was awarded through the most recent call for proposals through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). 

The Government invests approximately $50 million per year to support NHSP community-based projects. In Budget 2022, an additional $20 million over two years was proposed, for an expanded program 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 and reflect the national priorities: 

• supporting healthy aging through engaging social, physical and artistic activities;
• preventing senior abuse such as through financial literacy training, fraud prevention training and digital literacy sessions;
• celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion by promoting intergenerational mentoring, serving vulnerable groups and holding peer support sessions; and
• helping the majority of seniors who want to age in their own homes to do so by providing practical supports.

Today's announcement builds on the Government's commitment to improve the quality of life of seniors. Budget 2023 also introduces the new Canadian Dental Care Plan which will become accessible to eligible seniors by the end of 2023. Upon full implementation, the program will help up to 9 million Canadians, including seniors, and ensure that no Canadian has to choose between taking care of their health and paying the bills at the end of the month. Through Budget 2023, the Government also provided a one-time grocery rebate that provided relief to the Canadians hit hardest by the rising of food prices. Eligible seniors are among the Canadians and families who received additional funds in their pockets on July 5 through the grocery rebate.

"The projects in Windsor, funded by the New Horizons for Seniors Program, will make a real difference for seniors in the community. These initiatives offer hands-on workshops encompassing technology, digital literacy, arts and fitness, fostering socialization and preventing senior abuse. Empowering seniors and promoting healthy aging is essential to building inclusive, age-friendly communities."

? Kamal Khera, Minister of Seniors

"Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program we are helping tremendous local organizations provide that vital support that builds connections and strengthens quality of life for seniors across Windsor-Essex."

? Irek Kusmierczyk, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Disability Inclusion and Member for Parliament for Windsor?Tecumseh? Irek Kusmierczyk

"The New Horizons for Seniors Program ? In-Person and Virtual Cooking Together Program - has provided pathways for seniors to increase connections with others, reduce isolation and develop new friendships. It also allows the seniors to share their knowledge of various cultural recipes and cooking techniques with the youth, and the opportunity for intergenerational mentoring and learning together. Through this funding we are able to bring seniors and youth in Windsor-Essex from diverse background, culture and nationality to learn, share and cook various cultural meals together. The program has been a great benefit to seniors in our community."

? Rose Anguiano Hurst, Executive Director, Women's Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc.

• Seniors are one of Canada's fastest-growing population groups. They will represent almost 25% of the population by 2057 and could reach close to 11 million people within 15 years.
  
  
• The New Horizons for Seniors Program community-based stream is a federal grants program whose goal is to support projects that help seniors stay active and engaged in the community. Organizations are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding.
  
  
• This fall, a call for concepts for pan-Canadian projects under the New Horizons for Seniors Program will be open. The NHSP's pan-Canadian stream supports innovative projects that create a significant impact in communities and invest in large initiatives that meet the growing social needs of seniors.
  
  
• Since its inception in 2004, 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.
  
  
• Program funding supports projects that address one or more of the program's five objectives: social participation, volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse and providing capital assistance.
  
  
• 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 September 21, 2022, and closed on November 1, 2022.

Backgrounder ? Canada announces New Horizons for Seniors Program for projects in Windsor, Ontario

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada