Council backs age-friendly study


Yorkregion.com
March 25, 2015
By Sandra Bolan

Whitchurch-Stouffville is one step closer to becoming a model for communities across the country.

Town council gave its support to the WS YOU 177 Community Collaborative to complete an analysis that can be used to guide planning for current elders and future generations towards an innovative seven-generation community.

No money from the town was included in the request.

Council’s support, however, was required in order for WS YOU 177 to apply for a $35,000 grant from the province for age-friendly planning.

“We all want to feel a part of our community,” Brian Puppa, director of programs, Legacy Project for WS YOU 177 told councillors Tuesday.

When seniors feel like they are a part of the community, they live longer, according to Puppa.

WS YOU 177, which stands for Young and Old United in 1 World with 7 generations and 7 billion people, received a three-year Trillium grant worth $70,000 and $30,000 from United Way York Region based on the premise it would obtain other funds to complete its work, according to Puppa.

An age-friendly community has policies, services and structures related to the physical and social environments developed with other people in mind, according to WS YOU 177’s proposal to council.

If the provincial grant is approved, Puppa said they hope to have the work completed in June 2016.