Scarborough Celebrates Seniors Community Grants Recipients

Funding helping connect older adults to programs that help them stay active and socially connected

June 26, 2024

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SCARBOROUGH — The Ontario government is investing up to $6 million through the Seniors Community Grant Program to support 282 community projects that help seniors and older adults stay fit, active, healthy and socially connected, close to home.

“The Seniors Community Grants Program is a great example of how our government is working for local communities,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, MPP for Scarborough North. “We are pleased to provide funding for so many programs that bring older people together to avoid being socially isolated, learn new skills, get fit, enjoy group activities and stay connected to their neighbours and friends.”

Up to $25,000 per project is invested in local programs, services and events to provide seniors with opportunities for greater social inclusion, volunteerism and community engagement. The Seniors Community Grants Program is a unique Ontario government grant designed to reduce social isolation, fight ageism and create positive connections.

Examples of innovative Seniors Community Grants projects receiving funding this year include educational workshops on art therapy, cyber safety, nutrition, mental health and introductions to various new sports and fitness activities, intergeneration and volunteerism opportunities, as well as opportunities for older newcomer adults to stay active and connected in their communities.

Here in Scarborough North, there are three deserving recipients:

1. Canada Sunny International Table Tennis Association ($25,000)

This project will integrate mental health coping skills with table tennis learning and practices for 100 Chinese Canadian low-income seniors and 50 non-seniors to engage in weekly Play & Care sessions for 8 months (a total of 32 sessions). The sessions will include professional table tennis training and partnership with senior volunteers on table tennis and coping practices, so seniors can develop regular routines to build mental health resilience as an early prevention and intervention. Additionally, this project will train 20 senior volunteers as peer coaches for both mental health coping and table tennis playing to sustainably run the Play & Care sessions after the project ends.

2. Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto ($24,984)

– Training 28 Community Connectors to engage up to 675 older adults to reconnect with their communities through a series of in-person and virtual programs.

3. Dancing Damsels ($24,753)

– A series of 60 hybrid in-person/virtual biweekly jewelry craft workshops, 5 monthly video series of healthy cooking for seniors by seniors curated by a professional dietician. Additionally, the project will also support two field trips – one to the beach in summer and a fall colours excursion.   All components are conceived, planned, organized and executed by a group of senior volunteers under the guidance of a dedicated project lead.

This announcement comes as Ontario marks Seniors Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments of seniors in the province. Earlier this month, Ontario announced annualized funding for over 300 Seniors Active Living Centres that connect seniors to activities, programs and services in their communities.

Over 100 Seniors Active Living Fairs are also expected to take place in 2024-25 which will provide more opportunities for seniors to learn about supports and programs in their community. Last year, over 100 in-person, virtual and northern fairs were held throughout the province. To find a fair near you, visit this link.

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Quick Facts

• See the full list of 2024-25 Seniors Community Grants.
• Since 2018, Ontario has invested in over 1700 Seniors Community Grants.
• See the full list of Seniors Active Living Centres.
• The number of seniors aged 65 and over is projected to increase significantly, from 2.8 million or 18.4 per cent of population in 2022, to 4.4 million, or 20.3 per cent by 2046.