Government of Canada celebrates seniors projects in Fredericton
Fredericton, New Brunswick, May 23, 2012 — Seniors across Fredericton will soon have new opportunities to volunteer and mentor younger generations thanks to funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Minister for the Atlantic Gateway and Member of Parliament for Fredericton, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors).“The Government of Canada recognizes the diversity of skills, knowledge and experience seniors contribute to our society and the economy,” said Minister Ashfield. “Through initiatives such as the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are taking action to ensure that seniors maintain a high quality of life and continue as active, participating members of their communities.”
Three local organizations—Fredericton Arts and Learning Incorporated, the St. Mary’s Veterans Memorial Health Centre and the Association cooperative des aînés de la région de la Capitale—will receive almost $53,000 to, respectively, hold workshops to teach seniors new artistic skills, organize social activities to preserve Aboriginal culture and organize a public forum on inclusion for seniors. The Government of Canada is investing $35.6 million in almost 2 000 community-based projects acrossCanadaas part of the 2011–2012 call for proposals.
The NHSP continues to support seniors through a new call for proposals for community-based projects that launched on May 8 and will close onJune 29, 2012, for all ofCanada, exceptQuebec. For more information, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Marian Ngo
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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Backgrounder
New Horizons for Seniors Program
The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experience to the benefit of others.
The 2011–2012 community-based projects call for proposals ran fromJune 20, 2011, toSeptember 16, 2011. Projects received up to $25,000 in funding and had to address one or more of the program’s five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance.
Projects approved in Fredericton include:
• Fredericton Arts and Learning Incorporated will receive $5,500 to support the social participation and inclusion of seniors by offering artistic workshops in music, painting and writing.
• The St. Mary’s Veterans Memorial Health Centre will receive over $22,000 to help seniors become mentors in their community by hosting cultural activities so that future generations can learn and preserve Aboriginal culture.
• The Association cooperative des aînés de la région de la Capitale will receive $25,000 to organize a public forum on inclusion for seniors.
Since its beginning, the Program has funded more than 10 400 projects in hundreds of communities acrossCanada.
