Health and Community Services
May 21, 2010
Age-Friendly Grants to
Benefit Avalon Region
The Provincial Government is continuing
to award grants under the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador (AFNL)
Grants program with the announcement of grants for the Buckmaster's
Circle Community Centre and Active Aging Plus in Sunnyside. The program
supports municipalities, Inuit community governments, reserves and
seniors' organizations throughout the province with creating
age-friendly communities.
"Our government is committed to investing
in programs throughout the province that focus on promoting a healthy,
active lifestyle for our seniors," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy,
Minister of Health and Community Services and Minister Responsible for
Aging and Seniors. "The communities and seniors organizations we are
supporting through this grant program share our vision for an
age-friendly community that is inclusive of all seniors."
Active Aging Plus in Sunnyside will
receive $9,000 to enhance social activities and develop outdoor spaces
including a walking track. Through its programming the group aims to
reduce isolation and loneliness in seniors.
"This grant will enhance the supports and
programs available to seniors and help them continue to lead active
lives within the community," said Calvin Peach, MHA for Bellevue. "I
applaud our government for recognizing the importance of physical
activity as part of healthy living and creating such initiatives to
enhance the lives of our aging population."
The Buckmasters Circle Community Centre
in St. John's will receive $8,500 to develop Aging and Engaging, a
program that will incorporate age specific weekly sessions and with a
focus on needs-based activities.
"I'm delighted our government continues
to support programs to improve the quality of life for seniors," said
the Honourable Shawn Skinner, St. John's Centre MHA. "This investment
will support the work of the Buckmaster's Circle Community Centre in
their efforts to improve the quality of life for the many seniors living
within the community. The centre will incorporate age-specific sessions
and activities to engage seniors in the community which will help them
gain a greater level of autonomy and self reliance."
Overall, the Williams Government will
invest $200,000 in the AFNL Grants program. The 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.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
Tansy
Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-2646
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca
|
Donna Ivey
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-0898, 697-1424
donnaivey@gov.nl.ca
|
Veronica Hayden
Executive Assistant for
Honourable Shawn Skinner, MHA for St. John's Centre
709-729-2568
vhayden@gov.nl.ca
|
|
2010 05 21
10:35 a.m.
|