Province Funds Community Groups, Municipalities to Support Strait-area Seniors

NOTE: A list of projects receiving grants in the Strait-area follows this release.

First Nations seniors will soon have an opportunity to be more active as part of a socialization and fitness project.

The project, by the Paqtnkek Seniors Staying Young Program of Antigonish County, is one of 59 -- including three in the Strait area -- to receive a portion of nearly $440,000 in funding being awarded to support seniors' participation in communities across the province. The grants were announced today, Feb. 2, by Len Goucher, Minister of Seniors.

"These grants represent more than just funding for community-minded organizations," said Mr. Goucher. "These initiatives have been selected because they'll offer new opportunities for seniors, often by seniors, that are sustainable and which bring together different generations."

Forty-two non-profit organization projects will be supported through the Positive Aging Fund and 17 projects will be co-funded by municipalities through the Age-Friendly Communities Program.

The Positive Aging Fund helps non-profit community organizations create projects that advance Nova Scotia's Strategy for Positive Aging. The strategy is a long-term guide for planning for the province's aging population, with a focus on the health, well-being and community participation of seniors. Successful applicants can receive up to $10,000 for projects through the fund.

The Age-Friendly Communities Program helps municipalities create or adapt structures or services to be accessible, and inclusive of seniors, so they are able to lead healthy, active lives. Participating municipalities jointly fund the grants, which can also be up to $10,000 per project.

"At a time when there are more seniors than ever before, these municipalities are recognizing the value of making sure seniors have full enjoyment of all the community has to offer," said Mr. Goucher. "It's equally important that communities have the benefit of all that seniors have to offer them."

The Department of Seniors received more than 120 applications for funding under the grant programs. Applicants will have another opportunity to apply in the fall.

More information on the program and full lists of grant recipients are available at: www.gov.ns.ca/scs/agefriendlyComm.asp and www.gov.ns.ca/scs/positiveagingfund.asp .

Following is a list of projects in the Strait area that will receive grants from the Department of Seniors:

Positive Aging

• Paq'tnkek First Nation - $10,000. Active living program and workshops geared toward frail seniors

Age-Friendly Communities

• Municipality of the County of Antigonish - $5,000. Generator system for the community center in Havre Boucher
• Municipality of the District of Guysborough - $5,000. Seniors educational days focussing on art, personal safety issues and health