Seniors in Innisfil are getting a boost of over $56,000 put into programs helping them stay healthy, active, safe, and feel connected socially.
The funding, $56,881.18 provided by the province through their Seniors Community Grants Program, will be received by the Town of Innisfil, the Innisfil Public Library Board, and the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka.
The announcement was made on Friday afternoon by local and provincial officials, including Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil, Lynn Dollin, Mayor of Innisfil, and Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.
Below is a breakdown of the projects being funded, per a release by Andrea Khanjin.
- Innisfil Public Library Board - This project will allow the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library in
partnership with the Town of Innisfil and local retirement homes to deliver Kits and
Community for Older Adults. This will broaden the opportunities for seniors to collaborate
and develop community connections through the Senior’s Craft Kits Program. The
library coordinates the creation and delivery of 200 craft kits for isolated seniors. Seniors
are encouraged to join craft groups at the library to complete their kits with other seniors
of the community. - Town of Innisfil - This project will enable the Town of Innisfil in partnership with Sandy
Cover Acres, Lakeside Retirement Home, Dancing with Parkinson, and, the ideaLAB &
Library to pilot a new Mobile Senior Active Living Centre that will travel throughout
Innisfil on a daily basis. The mobile centre will offer activities, crafts, and special guests
that will help keep seniors active physically and mentally. By being mobile, more seniors
will be able to participate. - YMCA Of Simcoe Muskoka - This project will enable the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka, in
partnership with the Town of Innisfil, to present the YMCA Silver Club at all five of their
YMCAs: Collingwood, Gravenhurst, Midland, Wasaga Beach and Innisfil. The Silver
Club occurs for two hours weekly and features a mix of physical activities as well as
information workshops on various topics of interest to seniors as offered by community
partners.
Darlene, an Innsifil senior who accesses the YMCA, says the funding to projects and programs she's involved in is very much welcomed.
"A lot of people are on their own," she told Barrie 360. "[programs] provide friendship, a safe environment where they can just hang out with their friends and they're involved in something, and they can be as involved as they like ... that opens a door for many more opportunities."
Banner image via Barrie 360
