Perth County senior programs get $179K boost from province

Seniors programs in Perth County received a financial boost of $179,016 from the provincial government.

Article content

The Stratford Kiwanis Community Center and Stratford’s Spruce Lodge Home for the Aged both received just over $51,000 while the Town of St. Marys received a little more than $50,000. The North Perth Seniors Center took in almost $27,000.

“Our seniors help build our communities and province,” Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae said in a release. “Our government continues to support these important senior programs, ensuring our seniors can enjoy their golden years while staying active and healthy.”

The seniors active living centers (SALC) program and Seniors Community Grant (SCG) program are funded by the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility and provides programming to help seniors stay fit, active and connected in their communities.

Article content

These investments support local, not-for-profit community organizations, municipalities and Indigenous groups by helping them deliver programs and learning opportunities for Ontarians age 55+ offering a wide variety of activities to promote engagement, reduce isolation and promote healthy living.

“Senior active living centers help build healthier, safer communities by providing a community hub for older adults,” Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho said. “Our government’s expansion and investment in seniors active living center programs will help even more older adults, including those in remote areas, get the supports they need to live healthy, independent lives.”

June is Seniors’ Month in Ontario, and Rae called it “a time for us to recognize and thank the many seniors in Perth-Wellington for the many contributions they have made and continue to make in our communities.”

Article content

St. Marys’ Mayor Al Strathdee said he was grateful for the government’s financial support for local seniors.

“These funds support the operation of our Friendship Centre, which is a vibrant, welcoming space for adults of all ages and abilities,” he said. “This facility provides diverse programming that helps to reduce isolation and create community among our residents.”

Up to $15 million in funding will be made available this year to SALC programs across the province, an increase of close to 10 per cent from 2023.

Due to the success of Ontario’s more than 300 seniors active living centers being delivered by municipalities, new changes to the Seniors Active Living Centers Act came into effect June 1, 2024, that enable more types of organizations to deliver seniors active living center programs.

Article content

A call for proposals for organizations to deliver SALC programming will open later this summer. In addition to municipalities, other local and community-based organizations such as legions, Lion’s clubs and other social and recreational clubs are now welcome to apply.

Organizations that deliver SALC programming contribute 20 per cent of the cost of delivering the program, with the province providing the remaining 80 per cent.

Grant allocations are as follows:

• Spruce Lodge Home for the Aged: $51,137
• Stratford Kiwanis Community Center: $51,023
• The Town of St. Marys: $50,075
• North Perth Seniors Centre: $26,781

Article content