$80,800 in provincial investments supports social inclusion, active participation
BAY OF QUINTE – Today, Tyler Allsopp, MPP for Bay of Quinte, announced that four local organizations will be receiving Seniors Community Grants to bring seniors together across the region.
“Seniors built our province and our communities. It is our responsibility to ensure they have opportunities to live a vibrant, engaged lifestyle as they age,” said Allsopp. “Bay of Quinte has an older population than the provincial average. The successful recipients of this funding have demonstrated their ability to provide meaningful programs that keep seniors connected and active.”
The successful recipients are as follows:
- Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward – $25,000 for the Rescue Companionship Program
- County of Prince Edward – $25,000 for Purposeful Partnerships: A Dementi-Ability-Informed Volunteer Buddy Program
- Mood Disorders Society of Canada – $23,000 for Veteran Support to Promote Better Mental Wellness and Reduce Social Isolation
- County of Prince Edward Public Library and Archives – $7,800 for Stories Across Prince Edward County: Connecting through Books
TOTAL BAY OF QUINTE FUNDING = $80,800
The Ontario government is investing up to $7 million this year for more than 320 Seniors Community Grants that will help seniors stay fit, active, healthy and socially connected close to their homes.
“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. “We are pleased to provide investments for so many services and activities that bring seniors together, learn new skills, get fit, and stay connected to their neighbours and friends.”
Up to $25,000 per project is invested in local services, activities and events to provide seniors with opportunities for greater social inclusion, volunteerism and community engagement. The Seniors Community Grants is a unique Ontario government program designed to reduce social isolation, fight ageism and create positive connections.
Since 2018, Ontario has invested more than $40 million dollars in over 2,100 Seniors Community Grants.
investments, we are helping deliver new and improved schools across the province to support students, local jobs and growing communities.”
QUOTES
“Thanks to this funding, the Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward can expand opportunities for seniors and veterans to stay connected, engaged, and active in their communities. Through the shelter’s Rescue Companionship Program, participants can build meaningful relationships through animal companionship, volunteer opportunities, and social groups that foster purpose and connection. This investment recognizes the important role that the human-animal bond, combined with social interaction and volunteerism, can play in supporting health, well-being, and quality of life as we age.”
Melanie Cressman, Executive Director
Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward
“In Canada, over 60 per cent of our veterans are over the age of 55 – and the Quinte Region has the highest concentration of veterans in Canada. The Mood Disorder Society of Canada’s Veterans Program targets three evidence-based outcomes: enhanced wellness, strengthened resiliency, and meaningful post-traumatic growth; directly improving mental health, community engagement and quality of life. Our programs are offered to veterans and their family members at no cost, thanks to funding from sources such as the Ontario Seniors Community Grant.”
Dave Gallson, National Executive Director
Mood Disorders Society of Canada
” At the County of Prince Edward Public Library, we’re always looking for innovative ways to help people connect with one another. This project will enable us to host virtual book clubs and author events for seniors throughout the winter months using video conferencing, while also broadcasting these events on 99.3 County FM. By offering both online participation and radio broadcasts, we’ll make these programs accessible to an even wider audience, including those who may be unable to attend in person.”
Barbara Sweet, Chief Executive Officer
County of Prince Edward Library and Archives
“For seniors, especially in a rural community like Prince Edward County, meaningful opportunities to connect with others can make a real difference. These investments from the Provincial Government will help create spaces and experiences that bring people together, foster new friendships, and strengthen the sense of belonging.”
Steve Ferguson, Mayor
Prince Edward County
BACKGROUNDER
Quinte Humane Society – Rescue Companionship Program ($25,000)
The Rescue Companionship Program is a comprehensive community program designed to address loneliness, social isolation, and emotional well-being among seniors, including veterans by strengthening the human companionship and animal bond. This initiative might, although not the main objective, simultaneously improves outcomes for senior animals by increasing fostering, adoption, and community visibility.
The program includes six integrated components:
1. Fostering Senior Animals
2. Adoption Support for Seniors (Seniors Adopting Seniors Animals)
3. Paws & Visits: Senior Home & Hospice Visits
4. Senior Volunteer Opportunities at the Shelter
5. Seniors’ Pet Food Bank
6. Veterans Support Stream
A program to “Benefit Both Ends of the Leash”
Prince Edward County – Purposeful Partnerships: A DementiAbility-Informed Volunteer Buddy Program ($25,000)
This project introduces an innovative, DementiAbility-informed volunteer program that pairs older adults from the community with residents in our long-term care home through purposeful “buddy” partnerships. Seniors volunteer alongside residents in shared, strengths-based activities that foster connection, reciprocity, and meaning. Grounded in DementiAbility principles, the program emphasizes recognizing abilities, supporting autonomy, and creating joy. By redefining volunteering as a mutual relationship, the project aims to reduce social isolation, strengthen community inclusion, and enhance emotional well-being for both residents and community seniors.
Mood Disorders Society of Canada – Veteran Support to Promote Better Mental Wellness and Reduce Social Isolation ($25,000)
Since 2012, MDSC has delivered specialized services to CAF Veterans and their families. Our Veterans Program targets three evidence-based outcomes: enhanced wellness, strengthened resiliency, and meaningful post-traumatic growth; directly improving mental health, community engagement and quality of life.
Our program objectives are:
• To enhance the support networks of Veterans and their family members.
• To support the mental health and well-being of Veterans and family members.
• To foster a sense of Veteran and family member connection to the community.
• To increase mental health literacy in Veterans and their family members.
• To reduce mental health stigma that frequently impacts Veterans through establishing trust and connections with people with shared lived experiences.
Prince Edward County Public Library & Archives – Stories Across Prince Edward County: Connecting through Books ($7,800)
This project will create opportunities for seniors to connect throughout the winter months in Prince Edward County. Recognizing the value of book clubs and connecting through books, the library will plan a series of book conversations to be held in three ways: online, through the radio, and in person with authors coming to join the conversation virtually. Prince Edward County is a rural community, and its senior residents are vulnerable to isolation in winter weather, and this project is designed to reduce this vulnerability.