The funding will focus on programming that helps seniors “stay fit, active and connected” to local communities, provincial officials said in a news release.
The provincial government announced more than $200,000 in funding for seniors’ programs in Stratford and Perth County through its Seniors Active Living Centers and Seniors Community Grant programs.
The funding, announced by Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae Thursday as part of Seniors Month, will focus on programming that helps seniors “stay fit, active and connected” to local communities, provincial officials said in a news release.
“Our seniors built our province and country,” Rae said in the release. “It is important that we support them in their golden years. Perth-Wellington is home to many seniors. It is wonderful to see so many local programs receive this funding, which will help them continue to enrich the lives of our seniors.”
The Stratford Kiwanis Community Center received $51,438 in funding, as did Stratford’s Spruce Lodge Home for the Aged. Other Perth County programs received $25,000 to $45,730 through the grants, which are funded by the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility.
“Seniors Active Living Centers are the action centers for our seniors all over Ontario, said Raymond Cho, Ontario’s minister for seniors and accessibility. “These centers are a part of our community, and they help keep our seniors fit, active, healthy, socially connected and close to home.”
Since June is Seniors Month in the province, Rae said the funding announcement was a way to “recognize and thank the many seniors in Perth-Wellington for the many contributions they have made and continue to make in our communities.”
This year, a total of $4.5 million is being made available through the province’s 2023-24 Seniors Community Grant program, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. The provincial government also invests more than $14 million annually to support almost 300 Senior Active Living Centers programs, the release noted. Since 2018, that support has totaled more than $22 million for over 1,240 programs across the province.
Starting June 5, through Transfer Payment Ontario, the province will begin accepting applications from municipalities or organizations partnering with a municipality that does not have an existing Seniors Active Living Center program to start a new program. The submissions deadline is Thursday, July 20, at 5 pm
Seniors Active Living Center funding recipients
Stratford Kiwanis Community Center $51,438
North Perth Seniors Center $28,531
The Town of St. Marys $45,730
Spruce Lodge Home for the Ages $51,438
Seniors Community Grant recipient
North Perth (Lonely No More program) $25,000
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