Ontario Keeping Newmarket—Aurora Seniors Healthy, Active and Connected

Seniors Community Grants Supporting Seniors’ Programs

Newmarket—Aurora – The Ontario government is investing in its seniors in the Newmarket – Aurora riding through funding $57,750 in three of projects that will help seniors stay safe, fit, active, healthy, and socially connected across the community with Seniors Community Grants.

Recipients in Newmarket—Aurora riding include:

• The Town of Aurora – $14,450 – The Newcomers Welcome to Aurora Bus Tour provides older newcomers to Canada with a bus tour in their own language and with stops at the Aurora Fire Hall, the Aurora Public Library, the Aurora Seniors Centre and Aurora Town Hall, and provides translated presentations. The program, done in partnership with the Centre for Immigrant and Community Services, will increase older adults’ awareness of how to identify, report and prevent elder abuse and fraud, reduce isolation and increase volunteerism.

• York Region – $20,000 – Seniors Cultural Cooking program that offers interactive cooking and information sharing sessions for seniors living in community housing. The program will use food to celebrate resident diversity, strengthen community belonging, and encourage greater engagement. Participants will learn how to create a range of culturally diverse, affordable, and healthy meals. Presentations will also be offered on community programming that supports mental health, well-being, and safety, including how to identify, report, and prevent elder abuse and fraud.

• Aurora Philosophy Institute – $23,600 – The Philosophy Discussion Program for Seniors is a project of the Aurora Philosophy Institute (API), engaging senior citizens with philosophical ideas and concept that are of practical value to the community. The goal of this program for seniors is to reduce social isolation, development of mental acuity and well-being, and the promote volunteerism.

“These investments make a big difference in the lives of Ontario’s older adults here in Newmarket-Aurora,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket – Aurora. “Staying connected close to home and safely taking part in local life lets our seniors keep active with friends, family and the community.”

“Seniors Community Grants are keeping our seniors fit, active, healthy and socially connected close to home, in their communities,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Our government is proud to invest in these projects with local organizations to meet the needs of seniors, provide the supports seniors need and deserve that also help to battle social isolation.”

These projects are part of the 305 Seniors Community Grants investing into communities across Ontario this year.  Since 2018, Ontario has funded 1249 community-based projects and invested almost $22 million dollars in Seniors Community Grants that have kept seniors fit, active, healthy and connected while helping to end social isolation and combat ageism.