Health and Community Services
May 7, 2010
Age-Friendly Grants
Benefit Stephenville Region
The Provincial Government is
continuing its commitment to create age-friendly communities by
supporting projects in the Stephenville region with two grants through
the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador (AFLNL) Grant program. The
program was announced in February 2010 and is designed to benefit
incorporated municipalities, Inuit community governments, reserves and
seniors' organizations. The grants are a key component of the Provincial
Healthy Aging Policy Framework.
"We are certainly aware of the significant role seniors can and continue
to play in our society," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of
Health and Community Services and Minister Responsible for Aging and
Seniors. "These grants ensure seniors continue to enjoy an active,
healthy lifestyle."
The Williams Government has invested $200,000 in the grant program.
Minister Kennedy presented cheques today to two recipients — the
Sunshine Seniors 50+ Club in St. David's and the Town of Kippens. The
minister was joined by the Honourable Joan Burke, MHA for St.
George's—Stephenville East and Tony Cornect, Port au Port MHA.
The Sunshine Seniors 50+ Club in St. David's received $5,000 to support
its Healthy Living in Bay St. George South program. The program is
designed to promote healthy lifestyles in a safe and secure environment.
In addition, the group plans to offer workshops to teach seniors about
issues such as weight control, blood pressure, diabetes, finances, home
improvements, as well as opportunity for socialization through day
trips, music and theatre.
"I am very pleased that the Sunshine Seniors 50+ Club will avail of this
grant to help provide various services for the seniors of the Bay St.
George South area," said Minister Burke. "Healthy living is such a
valuable part of creating age-friendly communities, and this will now be
promoted to the residents of this area."
The Town of Kippens has been awarded $10,000 to further develop a
community plan to ensure the creation of an age-friendly community. The
town will develop a team that will work closely with seniors in the
community and provide regular updates to town council on their
activities. The town promises to work towards a long-term community
mindset of age-friendliness.
"These funds, in collaboration with seniors from the community, will
certainly assist the Town of Kippens to embark on a community-based
approach to being age-friendly," said Mr. Cornect. "It further
demonstrates our government's continued commitment to our senior
population, promoting an active, healthy lifestyle among our older
residents."
The AFNL grants will serve, in part, to fulfill commitments made under
the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework, through which the
Provincial Government invested an additional $3.5 million in the 2009-10
fiscal year toward improving the wellness of residents.
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Media contacts:
Jennifer Tulk
Communications Manager
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1399, 699-6524
JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca |
Janine Carter
Constituency Assistant to
Hon. Joan Burke, MHA for St. George's—Stephenville East
709-643-8663
janinecarter@gov.nl.ca |
Donna Ivey
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-0898, 697-1424
donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
|
2010 05 07
3:35 p.m. |