By CNW | Link to Article
By CNW | Link to Article
Seniors in Vancouver will soon have new opportunities to get involved in their community, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announced today. The Vancouver Seniors’ Singing Club Association is receiving over $23,000 through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) for its Cantonese Opera Troupe for Seniors. An estimated 800 Canadians in the area will benefit from the project.
Local seniors will be recruited and trained by the Vancouver Seniors’ Singing Club Association to manage and perform in the Cantonese Opera Troupe for Seniors. The project will encourage seniors to forge new connections in their community and take on roles as volunteers, mentors, performers, musicians, technicians and planners.
On May 13, 2014, Minister Wong launched the NHSP 2014-2015 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects. Organizations have until July 4, 2014, to apply for up to $25,000 in grant funding for projects led or inspired by seniors making a difference in their communities. Visit www.esdc.gc.ca/seniors for more information.
Quick Facts
- Cantonese opera, which has its roots in the 13th century, is a unique blend of singing, music, acrobatics, martial arts and acting. Vancouver is home to one of the world’s largest and most active Cantonese opera communities outside of Asia.
- The Government of Canada is providing more than $33.4 million in funding for over 1,770 community-based projects approved through the NHSP 2013-2014 call for proposals. NHSP-funded projects help ensure that seniors maintain a good quality of life and are able to be active, participating members of their communities.
- Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes an additional $5 million per year for the NHSP to support projects that benefit seniors. This is in addition to the $45 million the Government already provides to this program annually.