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Educational Programs2010/ 2011 Projects, Joint Programs and Educational Events Workshop: Capacity Building and Advocacy for Seniors Organizations On September 1, 2009 OCSO in partnership with the CAW Local 598 Retirees held a capacity building workshop in Sudbury. About ninety 90 seniors attended this event to hear Janet Gasparini, Executive Director of the Social Planning Council of Sudbury, discuss the challenges facing seniors who live in rural areas. Gasparini stressed that innovative ways must be found to help disconnected seniors keep in touch with one another for mutual help and support. One interesting program was a telephone tree, where people would check up on one another in a ‘buddy’ system. Ms. Gasparini pointed out that by 2031, one quarter of the Sudbury population will be over 65, and that statistic probably applies to the rest of the province. It is imperative, she said, to have politicians hear from a large number of seniors. Carmen Robillard, Program Manager North and East, Ontario Trillium Foundation gave suggestions on how to apply for grants to cover seniors’ projects. The workshop also included a panel discussion on seniors advocacy issues. The panel consisted of Dean Lindsay, National Coordinator CAW Retired Workers Department, David Munch of Finlandia Village Seniors Complex, Sudbury, and Morris Jesion, Executive Director of OCSCO. Age-Friendly Communities In 2009-10, OCSCO promoted the Age-Friendly Communities (AFC) model in partnership with the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat (OSS) and other OSS Liaison Committee members. The model was publicized through a series of seven regional forums. Each forum was presented with the following objectives; • Raise awareness of the AFC framework • Serve as a “Call to Action” for people to take leadership in their community • Continue to build a community of people who can learn from and support each other in making their communities age-friendly The forums were held in Kenora, Sault Ste. Marie, Ottawa, Barrie, Windsor, Hamilton and Toronto and included presentations as well as interactive participation through dialogues and related activities. The regional dialogues also provided ideas of how to turn the information shared at the forum into concrete activities for each community. The AFC forums highlighted the following features of an Age Friendly Community: 1. Outdoor spaces and public buildings that are pleasant, clean, secure and physically accessible. 2. Public transportation that is accessible and affordable. 3. Housing that is affordable, appropriately located, well built, well designed and secure. 4. Opportunities for seniors to participate in leisure, social, cultural and spiritual activities with people of all ages and cultures. 5. Older people are treated with respect and are included in civic life. 6. Opportunities for employment and volunteerism that cater to older persons’ interests and abilities. 7. Age-Friendly communication and information is available. 8. Community support and health tailored to older persons’ needs. Multi-Cultural Fairs OCSCO partnered with the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat (OSS) to host a series of five multicultural fairs in and around the Greater Toronto Area. The purpose of the fairs was to improve awareness of health and wellness among seniors. In total, five fairs were held. Below is a summary of the events: Hamilton – October 20, 2009 Senior Health and Wellness Fair 40 exhibitors/200 attendees Multi-cultural group: Somali, Chinese, Indian Toronto – March 3, 2010 Syme 55+ Seniors Fair at the Grenadier 30 exhibitors/300 attendees Multi-cultural group: Hindu, Ukraine, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese Markham – March 23, 2010 Information Fair at the Vedic Cultural Centre 35 exhibitors/ 330 attendees Multi-cultural group: South Asian, Caribbean Toronto – May 28, 2010 Caribbean Seniors Health and Wellness Fair at the Jamaican Cdn Assoc 45 exhibitors/ 300 attendees Multi-cultural group: Caribbean and West Indian Peel – June 15, 2010 Seniors Health and Wellness Fair 30 exhibitors/ 200 attendees Multi-cultural group: Hindu, Polish, Mandarin, Punjabi Additionally, OCSCO participated in an information fair for Older Adults and Seniors at the Toronto Reference Library on June 18th 2010. Computer Training OCSCO has a joint computer training program with Elder Connections. Programs currently offered include computer training in the following areas: • Basic Internet Skills • Internet Skills Level Two • Working on the World Wide Web • Skype • Microsoft Word • Yahoo Messenger
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