Ontario Provides More Money to Seniors Across Essex County

Ministry awards local Seniors Community Centres with program funding. 

ESSEX COUNTY – The Ontario government, through the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility, is providing more money to support our seniors through financial support of important community organizations. This funding comes from a province-wide allocation of $14 million annually to support Seniors Active Living Centres (SALC) and $4.5 million in Seniors Community Grants (SCG). The funding for each facility in the Riding of Essex is as follows: 

  • The Town of Amherstburg – $14,370 (SCG) 
  • Kingsville Community Centre – $25,000 (SCG) 
  • Essex Retirees’ Social Club – $45,671 (SALC) 
  • Good Neighbour Club of Belle River and Area – $51,438 (SALC)

On Tuesday, June 20th, MPP Anthony Leardi hosted the Parliamentary Assistant (PA) to the Minister of Seniors and Accessibility, MPP Daisy Wai, and showcased various Seniors Community Centres across Essex County. These visits involved announcing the funding amounts, meeting with each organization’s Board of Directors, and allowing each organization to showcase the activities and benefits they provide to seniors in our community. 

“I want to recognize and thank each of our support centres for all the work they are doing to ensure seniors can stay connected within their communities,” said Anthony Leardi, MPP for Essex. “I was very happy to meet with local seniors and the champions of these organizations to see first-hand, the incredible work that goes on in our community. 

The Kingsville Community Centre showcased their community garden, which has an extensive line of produce that our seniors can take home to eat. They also have volunteers creating mats, bags, and other items to reduce our waste as a community and give new life to old items. Also present at the Kingsville Community Centre was the Mayor of Kingsville Dennis Rogers, who brought greetings from the Town of Kingsville, and affirmed his support for the organization. 

The Essex Retirees’ Social Club showcased their DrumFit Program, with MPP’s Leardi and Wai partaking in the fun with Mayor of Lakeshore Tracey Bailey. The Social Club also has a community pantry and provides a social outlet for local seniors. 

The Good Neighbour Club of Belle River had a large group of seniors playing the card game Bridge. The Board of Directors indicated that this is a favourite among the group, and they have hundreds of seniors utilize their centre each year. 

“There are so many wonderful organizations that support programs and services, enabling seniors to stay fit, healthy and socially connected within their communities,” said PA Daisy Wai. “Kingsville, and Essex County are beautiful, and I am very happy to see the amazing work going on locally with our seniors.” 

The Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility is committed to helping seniors and people living with disabilities live healthy, active lives, and maintain a social connection with their community. 

QUICK FACTS 

  • The Ontario government invests over $14 million annually to support almost 300 Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) programs. 
  • SALCs help connect older adults with community programs and services, provide programing opportunities for seniors in underserved communities or to underserved populations and help make SALC programs more accessible. 
  • This year, a total of up to $4.5 million in funding will be available for the 2023-24 Seniors Community Grant Program with grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. 
  • Since 2018, Ontario has invested over $22 million dollars in over 1240 seniors’ community grant projects all over Ontario.