2018-OACAO-Spring-Newsletter-Web

Our Innovative Programs for Older Adults project funded by the New Horizon for Seniors Program was a great
success delivering 6 Regional Workshops and 1 Webinar, with over 210 OACAO members attending, representing
84 member centres/clubs from all 8 OACAO Regions across the province. Thanks to all members who made
presentations and shared your innovative program ideas, hosted a Regional Workshop and participated in an
event. We are grateful to the New Horizons for Seniors Program for funding this motivating project.
Our next Regional workshop/webinar series is titled “Engaging Men in Older Adult Centres” thanks to approved
funding from the New Horizon for Seniors Program again for 2018 - 2019. Watch soon for more information and
for ways that you can support and participate in this exciting project.
New Funding Opportunity: Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Hon. Daiene Vernile, announced on April 9 th a
new annual $5 million grant program, Engaging Seniors Through the Arts Fund which was created by the Ontario
government as part of its Aging with Confidence: Ontario’s Action Plan for Seniors. The Engaging Seniors Through
the Arts Fund recognizes the role that the arts play in offering a wide range of benefits to seniors, including
reducing isolation, increasing a sense of community, and improving overall well-being. The fund will be
administered by the Ontario Arts Council, on behalf of the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism,
Culture and Sport. The program will increase the number of arts programs and activities available to seniors in the
community, retirement homes, hospitals and long-term care settings. Program details will be available by the end
of April 2018. Applications will be available online by September 1, 2018.
For more information: http://www.arts.on.ca/grants/activity/engaging-seniors-through-the-arts-fund
Sue Hesjedahl,
Executive Director
Innovative Programs Workshops
We did it…! The 6 very successful Innovative Programs Workshops and 1 webinar are complete. It was
a whirlwind 5 weeks of technology, scheduling, acrylic paint, game pins, yummy lunches, networking,
sharing, brainstorming and creative inspiration.
Thanks so very much to the presenters who shared their expertise:
Al Gordon, Helmi Kaufmann, Amy Back, Lisa Tobio, Franca Cimetta, Andrea
Aldor, Anita Weisseneder, Catherine Ross, Nancy Boutin, Nancy Puhr, Chris
Cunningham, Nancy Scott, Leo Lavergne, Rachel Sutcliffe, Monique Doolittle-
Romas, April Georgeadis, Angie Darlison, Karen Gress, Penny Wearne, Melissa
Biffis, Stephanie Coughlin, Jackie Buncel, Irene Gabinet, Suzanne Teixeira,
Danna McBride and Rita Orellana!
I am inspired and excited to see the new programs that are launched
because of this very successful project funded in part by the New Horizons
for Seniors Program and sponsored by Johnson Insurance.
I particularly enjoyed meeting so many dedicated, motivated and
inspiring Older Adult Centres staff and volunteers. I hope you did as well.
Thank you also to our fabulous workshop hosts from across the Regions!
We could not have done it without your support.
I encourage you to share your innovative programming successes and challenges over the coming
months. I know I will be interested to see what ideas you chose to implement and how things went
with some very incredible new ideas!
Happy Spring friends, In partnership with: Sponsored by:
Julie Pennal