Sudbury Seniors Programs Get Federal Funding

SUDBURY – Seniors programs in Sudbury got a big financial boost today. Member of Parliament for Sudbury, Viviane Lapointe, announced over $104,000 for five community projects. The funding was made available through the New Horizons for Seniors program.

The five projects aim to help seniors stay active and socially connected in their community:

• Thriving African Families: Nana Circle - $25,000

• Art Gallery of Sudbury: Elgin Street Speaks - $25,000

• L'Arche Sudbury: Bridging Generations - $9,360

• Sudbury Queers United Around Diversity (SQUAD): Queering Mental Health - $19,750

• Rainbow Routes Association: Green Prescription Movement - $25,000

“Seniors helped shape the strong, vibrant communities we are proud to call home, and they continue to play an important role in our communities today. This funding goes directly into our community, and to local projects that keep seniors active,” said Lapointe. “By supporting these programs, we’re helping seniors stay engaged and connected in the communities they know and love.”

Quotes

“At Thriving African Families, we believe seniors are carriers of wisdom, culture, stories and strength. Funding through the New Horizons for Seniors will support our Nana Circle program - creating meaningful spaces where seniors of African heritage can remain socially connected, share their lived experiences, reduce isolation and engage across generations. Nana Circle will empower seniors to actively participate and contribute to community life in Greater Sudbury.” - Dokun Nochirionye, Executive Director, Thriving African Families

"Rainbow Routes Association is able to provide new and challenging hiking opportunities for senior community members, while also including the social aspect of our programs. The importance of movement is a core part of our programs, and now we are able to lessen social isolation with this new program which many seniors face. We look forward to finding new volunteers to help support and grow our community connection."  - Rachel Mantas, Rainbow Executive Director, Routes Association

“We are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada and the New Horizons for Seniors Program for supporting our Bridging Generations project. This initiative will create meaningful opportunities for seniors and younger generations to come together through shared experiences, creativity, and relationship building. At L’Arche Sudbury, we believe that belonging grows through connection, and this project will help strengthen those connections across generations and our wider community.” — Teresa Mullin, Interim Community Leader / Executive Director, L’Arche Sudbury

“ElginStreetSpeaks creates a welcoming and supportive space where newcomer seniors can build connections, develop language skills, and express their stories through art. For many, these opportunities are essential in reducing isolation and fostering a true sense of belonging in our community. We are deeply grateful to the New Horizons for Seniors Program and the Government of Canada for their support in making this work possible, and for recognizing the important role that arts and community engagement play in the well-being of newcomer seniors.” - Nancy Gareh - Education and Program Manager, Art Gallery of Sudbury