Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

Whitehorse, Yukon, September 1, 2011— The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, today highlighted federal support to six organizations in Yukon under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).

“Seniors and Elders in the North have significantly contributed to building a rich and unique Canadian heritage,” said Minister Wong. “That is why our government is proud to support projects that encourage seniors to share their skills, experiences and traditions with others in their community.”

“Today’s seniors know the importance of being active and staying involved in their communities,” said Mr. Leef. “The New Horizons for Seniors Program is just one example of how we are helping seniors make a positive difference in their own lives and in those of the people around them.”

The announcement was made at the Yukon Literacy Coalition, which received $25,000 in funding for its project to help encourage local Elders and seniors to create reading and storytelling programs for families and members of the community.

This is one of six projects in Yukon that combined, received $98,715 in NHSP funding. The projects encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership, and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.

The NHSP is now accepting proposals for community-based projects that address one or more of the Program’s five objectives: promoting volunteerism, mentoring, elder abuse awareness, social participation, and providing capital assistance for new or existing projects and programs for seniors. The application deadline is September 16, 2011.

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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):

Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559

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Backgrounder

New Horizons for Seniors Program

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities. Since its beginning, the Program has funded more than 8,500 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.

A total of 1078 projects were approved under the 2010–2011 Community Participation and Leadership Call for Proposals, receiving over $20.6 million in funding. The following six projects received funding in Yukon:

The Carcross Recreation Board received $9,715 for its ‘Caribou Crossing Footprints through Time – The Stories of Carcross’ project.
The Dawson City Arts Society received $2,000 for its ‘Seniors Learning and Teaching the Arts’ project.
The Mayo Seniors Advisory Association received $25,000 for its ‘Mayo Seniors Activity’ project.
The Ross River HOPE Society received $12,000 for its ‘Elders Mentoring Youth in Life Values’ project.
The Vuntut Gwitch’in First Nation received $25,000 for its ‘Senior Camp’ project.
The Yukon Literacy Coalition received $25,000 for its ‘Tales to be Told’ project.

Through Budget 2011, the Government of Canada is investing an additional $10 million over two years in the NHSP, bringing the Program’s 2011–2012 budget to $45 million.

For more information on the Program, or upcoming calls for proposals, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

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