MP says groups should apply for seniors funding
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Community organizations across Portage-Lisgar are being encouraged to apply for a federal grant aimed at improving the quality of life for seniors.
Branden Leslie, Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar, is promoting the New Horizons for Seniors Program, a long-standing federal initiative that provides up to $25,000 for community-based projects. The call for applications is now open, with a deadline of Sept. 17.
“It’s a grant for up to $25,000 a year for various projects to help ensure that the people that built our communities and our country are able to still participate to the maximum possibility,” Leslie said. “I just encourage as many groups as possible across the region to put the application in.”
The program is open to non-profits, municipal governments, and other eligible community groups that work with seniors. Projects must support objectives such as promoting volunteerism, engaging seniors in mentorship, expanding awareness of elder abuse, supporting social participation, or providing small-scale capital assistance for community programs.
Past successful applicants in the region have included active living centres, seniors’ homes and legions, which have used the funding for a wide range of initiatives.
“Some of them are more technological-based, some of them are more kind of capital projects to make sure that there’s spaces for breakfast meals and community,” Leslie noted. “It’s a fairly wide option of what can be applied for.”
Leslie highlighted the program’s focus on intergenerational connections as particularly valuable.
“One of the areas that I really appreciate about this particular program is its focus on engaging seniors in mentoring,” he said. “I think it’s just such a great idea to have young people be engaged with the older generation to have them share some of their wisdom.”
While the application process is competitive, Leslie said that typically 10 to 12 projects are funded within the riding each year. He encourages organizations that apply to contact his office so he can advocate on their behalf.
“I’m a big supporter of making sure that any tax dollars that are out in programs like this can come back and help the community and the people I represent,” he said.
For details on how to apply, visit the Government of Canada’s website or contact the New Horizons for Seniors Program by phone at 1-855-312-0400.
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