Health and Community Services
April 18, 2011

Communities and Seniors Organizations Continue to Benefit
from Age-Friendly Grants

Additional grants continue to be awarded under the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador (AFNL) Grants program, an initiative designed to support municipalities and seniors organizations. The latest groups to receive a grant through the program are the Seniors Bridging Cultures in St. John’s and the Town of Wabana on Bell Island.

“The grants awarded through the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grants program reflect our government’s commitment to planning for an aging population,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services and the Minister Responsible for Aging and Seniors. “This program supports projects that not only enrich the lives of seniors but also support the contributions that seniors can make to the community as a whole.”

Seniors Bridging Cultures in St. John’s will receive $10,000 to deliver a program that engages seniors in multicultural activities.

“Funding organizations and community initiatives that provides seniors with opportunities to engage in physical, social and educational activities is one of several ways that our government is addressing the needs of seniors throughout the province,” said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and MHA for Virginia Waters. “I am pleased that our government is supporting Seniors Bridging Cultures and its unique approach to keeping seniors engaged in their communities. This investment will help bring together people from a variety of cultures, allowing them to share experiences, promote understanding and enrich our society.”

The Town of Wabana is receiving $10,000 to become a more age-friendly community. The town will engage in activities that include forming an age-friendly committee or team; evaluating community resources and assets; identifying community champions; determining challenges and opportunities; and, creating an action plan.

“This investment in the well-being of seniors will serve to bridge the gap between engagement and inclusion for the nearly 800 seniors who call Bell Island home,” said Conception Bay East-Bell Island MHA David Brazil. “The community, as a whole, will benefit from more of our seniors having the opportunity to both receive and give as productive citizens.”

First launched in 2010, the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grants Program is one initiative of the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework that was launched by the Provincial Government in 2007. Grants are provided to incorporated municipalities, Inuit community governments and reserves, as well as seniors organizations and retiree groups throughout the province. In 2009-10, $200,000 was awarded to 10 municipalities and 13 seniors organizations.

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2011 04 18                                                       10:20 a.m.