Ontario government invests $33K in programs that support seniors in Newmarket, Aurora

Funding distributed to CMHA York Region and South Simcoe and Seniors' Centre Without Walls' Wellness Series

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 15, 2022
Aileen Zangouei

Programs that support seniors' well-being in Newmarket and Aurora are receiving $33,000 in funding from the Ontario government's Seniors Community Grant Program.

The Seniors Community Grant Program provides and encourages safe community engagement of seniors by supporting hundreds of projects focused on volunteerism, learning, financial awareness, social inclusion, elder abuse prevention, mental well-being and physical activity.

A portion of the funding ($21,400) will be distributed to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) York Region and South Simcoe for its Looking Forward Project to promote the health, safety and well-being of older adults with mental health, complex care and dementia-related concerns.

"With the goal of reducing seniors’ isolation and loneliness, this grant for our first social prescribing initiative will enable CMHA to help seniors in Newmarket better integrate into our community," said Rebecca Shields, CEO of CMHA York Region and South Simcoe. "Funds will support seniors’ access to social supports through transportation, memberships to community programs and the delivery of direct social activities to strengthen their mental health and sense of belonging."

The Seniors' Centre Without Walls' Wellness Series in Aurora will receive $12,300 in funding to provide seniors with programming that is focused on safety and well-being.

"The Town of Aurora’s Seniors’ Centre Without Walls is a critical program to support seniors and adults with physical disabilities in Aurora. While always important, the pandemic has amplified the need for programs like this. We are grateful to the Ontario government for supporting the Wellness Series which will focus on health education and fitness to help keep seniors engaged and active in our community," said Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas.

"Our government is making sure that seniors have the supports they need to live happy and healthy lives in their communities," said Christine Elliott, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora.

"This funding will support projects that provide our seniors with meaningful opportunities to safely take part in local activities and stay connected to friends and family," Elliott said.

According to Raymond Cho, minister for seniors and accessibility, the grants provide "tremendous enjoyment and personal value" to older Ontarians. Seniors in Ontario are the province's fastest-growing demographic, and by 2023, there will be three million Ontarians over the age of 65.

"Our government is proud to invest in local organizations which are well-positioned to meet the needs of seniors in their community," Cho said.