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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2010 05 07                    3:35 p.m.