Family Services of the North Shore is receiving $750,000 in federal funding to tackle social isolation among seniors.
The money will be used to support some 1,500 volunteers and 500 service providers who work with seniors, according to a government press release. As lead for the Volunteers as
Navigators and Connectors project, Family Services will co-ordinate with North Shore Neighbourhood House, North Shore Multicultural Society, Burnaby Seniors Outreach, Seniors Services Society, 411 Seniors Centre Society and Mosaic. Their plan is to create a shared curriculum and organize workshops and a regional conference to support those who work with seniors 75 and older who have disabilities, low incomes, or are new immigrants. Training topics will include identifying and understanding social isolation issues and connecting seniors to resources and services.
As part of the project, Family Services will also create a social media site where volunteers can engage with one another and share knowledge. The agency will also partner with Telus through its Healthy Living Networks Program, in which the telecommunications company places messages on the screens in medical exam rooms with the aim of increasing awareness of seniors’ isolation and loneliness.
North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson made the funding announcement Monday at the Family Services headquarters. In total, more than $2.5 million in federal cash was awarded to four Lower Mainland organizations, the other three being South Vancouver Neighbourhood House ($673,000), Burnaby Community Services Society ($610,000) and South Burnaby Neighbourhood House Society ($500,000) to support projects that engage seniors. The money was granted through the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
The community-based projects are all part of the larger Metro Vancouver Intentional Connection Seniors Impact Plan, which aims to reduce social isolation among seniors. As part of the Impact Plan, Family Services will provide co-ordination, communication and support to its community partners in Vancouver and Burnaby.
– Christine Lyon
