The Steelton Senior Services Centre and Sault Ste. Marie Senior Services Drop-In Centre has received $109,860 in special funding to benefit Sault Seniors and ensure they have the quality facilities to provide recreational services and important support services, announced David Orazietti MPP.
“The contributions by seniors in our community have made Sault Ste. Marie stronger and it’s important that we ensure they have the supports they need to live healthy and active lives,” said Orazietti. “Ontario’s Action Plan for Seniors, and the projects funded through Seniors Community Grants, are helping us create a supportive environment for our seniors as they age.”
Additionally, Ontario is now accepting applications for the Seniors Community Grant Program to help more seniors stay safe, active and engaged in communities such as Sault Ste. Marie.
Funding for the grant has been increased from $500,000 to $1 million to give seniors more opportunities to participate in their communities. Last year’s grants went toward projects such as, helping seniors learn new skills like cooking or using tablets, and encouraging physical activity.
Ontario is also marking the two-year anniversary of its Action Plan for Seniors, which is helping more seniors access quality services and live safer and more inclusive lives. Recent initiatives include:
· Launching the $1.5 million Age-Friendly Community Planning Grant Program, which helps municipalities plan for aging residents
· Introducing the Family Caregiver Leave, which allows people in Ontario up to eight weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to provide care or support to a family member with a serious medical condition
· Launching the Community Transportation Pilot Grant Program, which helps municipalities to improve access to, and options for, community transportation services for seniors, persons living with disabilities, youth and other members of the community
· Implementing the Retirement Homes Act, which enforces new care and safety standards and allows licensing for more than 700 retirement homes to keep residents safe
Developing services and supports for seniors is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
QUICK FACTS
· The Seniors Community Grant Program is accepting applications from January 28 to March 27, 2015 and will support projects that allow seniors to contribute to all aspects of community life.
· The Seniors Community Grant Program has already supported 179 projects and helped 43,000 seniors across the province.
· As of 2015, for the first time, people over 65 account for a larger share of the population than children under 15
That’s wonderful.
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