The City of Brantford received a $25,000 grant from the Seniors Community Grant Program, administered by the Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility .
This funding will be used to implement the Let’s Stay Connected program, which includes a calendar of activities and learning opportunities for local seniors to participate virtually and in-person at community centres and affordable housing sites, in accordance with public health guidelines.
“We are very grateful to the provincial government for this funding to help support seniors in our community,” said Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford. “We look forward to building on our Healthy Aging Strategy actions to continue to provide ways for older adults to stay connected.”
“The Grand River Council on Aging is thrilled that the City of Brantford is responding to the needs outlined by older adults, residents, caregivers, and agencies in community consultations to decrease social isolation and by bringing programs and opportunities for social engagement to seniors where they are,” said Lucy Marco, Board of Directors Member. “The GRCOA looks forward to working with the City of Brantford to support the development of the program by continuing to share the voices of older adults and residents to help inform community needs.”
Support from the Seniors Community Grant Program will enable local community partners to reach older adults and seniors in places that are familiar to them. The Let’s Stay Connected program will include social activities, fire safety workshops, fitness activities, learning opportunities and more.
Learn more about the Let’s Stay Connected program and other initiatives to support local seniors at brantford.ca/HealthyLiving.
In November 2022, Brantford City Council approved the newly updated Healthy Aging: City of Brantford Age-Friendly Strategy, a three-year plan based on the World Health Organization’s eight domains for an Age-Friendly Community, including outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; and community support and health services.
In 2017, the City was invited to join the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, and in the following year the Ministry of Seniors Affairs recognized the City of Brantford with the Ontario Age-Friendly Community Recognition Award. Other organizations, including the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) and the International Federation on Aging, have recognized Brantford as an example of progressive age-friendly planning.
