Federal grant to help seniors in Windsor

There is new funding for 28 senior community organizations. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco has details.

The federal government announced a $600,000 boost meant to help support seniors in our community just days ahead of an expected election call. The money aims to help seniors stay active and connected.

“I wanna think of one benefit but there’s many benefits,” said Yoga teacher Rosemary Power during a break at the Community Support Centre of Essex County.

She sees the benefits of seniors being active. “They’re socializing. That’s a simpler one but some of the clients tell me they love moving. They feel good they’re moving,” Power said. “Some of my classes, I have 40 minutes of very light weight training. They feel, and tell me, so strong. They feel they can bend down, pick up grandkids, they can go for walks.”

They’ll have opportunities to stay active because of the grants the federal government is giving to 28 organizations in our community through the New Horizons For Seniors program.

Groups will receive between 10-25 thousand dollars.

“The grant dollars will be used in a program we call Let’s Care,” said Kamal Mann, manager of community supports at the Community Support Centre. “We talk, and it’s all about connecting folks to phone, in person and virtual options to really reduce social isolation.”

“That isolation, that truly is a scourge in communities like ours and communities across Canada,” said Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk who was on hand to make the announcement Friday morning.

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 255 on Wyandotte Street East will continue offering seniors a place to dance the night away thanks to a $25,000 grant. “We get the same seniors showing up, week after week, and it’s a highlight of their life. You know, they really enjoy it,” said branch president Bruce Tribute.

The Windsor Lawn Bowling Club is going to buy indoor mats with their $11,000 so seniors can play during the colder months. “They stay for dinner. They have a few drinks after. It’s just a fun time to keep everybody busy. everybody is just so involved and it’s, becomes a family,” said club member Maureen Hagman.

Le Centre Communautaire Francophone De Windsor-Essex-Kent on Ouellette at Tuscarora got over $10,000 which they’ll use to continue to offer social events connecting seniors with youth in our community. “The youth are very happy to learn from the seniors. The elders or seniors learn from youth,” said director Jean Claude Ngendahayo.