DAWSON CREEK -- The province’s funding projects and policies are geared towards helping seniors.
According to their press release, a total of $500,000 in age-friendly grants are being awarded across 25 communities in B.C. this year. Six Indigenous communities are among the grant recipients. It’s a part of the Age-Friendly Communities (AFC) program.
Pouce Coupe is one of those receiving a grant. The province’s funding is $25 thousand towards completing age-friendly assessments and action plans in the village.
“Pouce Coupe is excited to have received a Stream 1, Age-friendly Communities planning grant to work toward a more age-friendly community and help seniors in our community remain in their homes,” said Sandy Stokes, chief administrative officer of Village of Pouce Coupe.
That stream focuses on completing age-friendly assessments and action plans. Other cities will be receiving money to implement age-friendly projects identified in the community’s action plan for programs, services or initiatives.
The District of Taylor also received $25 thousand for new policies to improve accessibility for seniors.
“Every year, I look forward to seeing the plans and projects from these grants come to fruition because they help more communities across the province become more age-friendly. I thank the BC Healthy Communities Society for its work on promoting the Age-friendly Communities program and helping people develop their ideas that will benefit seniors in their local neighbourhoods,” said Adrian Dix, minister of Health
The program is a partnership between the provincial government and B.C. Healthy Communities Society. They are a province-wide not-for-profit organization that facilitates the ongoing development of healthy, thriving and resilient communities.
“Age-friendly grants help bring people together in our communities, building inclusion, participation and connection for seniors,” said Harwinder Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors' Services and Long-Term Care. “These grants enable plans and projects that support older adults to age in place and live active, socially engaged and independent lives.”
