September 24, 2015
Seniors Sector News
GRANTS TO PREVENT ELDER ABUSE

The Taking Action Against Elder Abuse Coordinated Community Response Grant Program is a 3-year initiative to support the creation, enhancement and implementation of coordinated community responses to elder abuse in communities/regions throughout Alberta through improved coordination among service providers.

Eligible activities must support the development of a new coordinated community response to elder abuse, or enhance or formalize an existing coordinated community response model. Grant applications must demonstrate the formal commitment of a minimum of five community organizations involved in providing services and supports to seniors.

Municipalities, seniors groups and community organizations are invited to apply for up to $150,000 over three years. The application deadline is November 30.
COMMUNITY RECREATION NETWORKS

The City of Edmonton has established Community Recreation Networks where community groups can meet to discuss recreation related topics that are important to them. This is a good opportunity for seniors organizations to network and collaborate with other community groups.

The purpose of the networks is to bring together recreation providers in a specific geographic area to:
  • share information
  • discuss recreation interests and identified needs as they apply to their own unique community 
  • encourage and provide opportunity for community recreation coordination and collaboration
The city is divided into four districts with four to seven networks in each district. Network meetings are scheduled for October and November. The Community Recreation Network Gatherings document outlines the geographic composition of the districts/networks, provides contacts for each network and lists the dates of upcoming meetings (some meetings haven't been scheduled yet).  Contact Janelle if you require more information.
FUNDING INCREASE FOR FCSS

The Alberta government announced an additional $10 million in funding for Family and Community Support Services programs province-wide. Read the news release.
More seniors sector news
(links to the ESCC News for Agency Staff webpage)
Resources
20 MUST-KNOW FUNDRAISING AND SOCIAL MEDIA STATS
Nonprofit Tech for Good

Nonprofit Tech for Good provides 20 insights that can help non-profit organizations develop fundraising campaigns. Some highlights:
  • 31% of giving in 2014 occurred in December and 12% of all giving in 2014 happened in the last three days of the year
  • Monthly donors give 42% more in a year than one-time donors
  • Gen X donates more frequently than other generations
  • Volunteers give twice as often to charity as non-volunteers
  • Email results in one-third of online fundraising revenue
  • 17% of crowdfunding donations are made on mobile devices
  • Nearly 1/3 of all online donations are now a result of peer-to-peer fundraising
More resources for sector staff
(links to the ESCC Service Providers Resources webpage)
Professional Development
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: THE NEXT GENERATION
REACH Edmonton and the Tamarack Institute
November 24 - 26
Edmonton
$555-695

This three-day workshop (led by Paul Born, Louise Merlihan and Rachel Gainer) will explore the latest thinking and practice of Community Engagement.

You will learn the latest engagement techniques and interact with the technology that will transform how you engage your clients, customers, funders and partners. Through dialogue with leaders in the field of engagement and social change, you will enhance your capacity to effectively hear the voices of those you serve and learn key strategies to mobilize them toward a collective impact. Learn more about the workshop.
More events for staff/volunteers in the seniors sector
(links to the ESCC Events in the Senior-Serving Sector webpage)
News and Events for Seniors
MAN CAVE MONDAYS
Westend Seniors Activity Centre (9629 - 176 St.)
Monday afternoons, 2 - 4 p.m.

Join WSAC on Monday afternoon for Wurly, Burly . . . ok, just not girly. A drop in for male members (and non-members) to shoot some pool, throw a dart or have a beer. The last Monday of the month is licensed so Molson Canadian is $4. Surrounding Mondays there is O'Douls. Come out and make a friend, every new beginning comes from another's end. You must become a member to attend regularly. Drop-in fee is $2. Call 780-483-1209 for information.
HEALTH AND AGING - DARE TO AGE WELL
University of Alberta, Department of Medicine
October 1, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Central Lions Seniors Recreation Centre (11113 113 St.)

The theme for the seminar is Mental Well Being and Later Life. Topics to be discussed are:
  • Depression, The peril of low mood - Dr. Adrian Wagg
  • Coping with Anxiety - Dr. William Gibson
  • Depression, Anxiety & Sleep - Alternative approach - Dr. Angela Juby
  • And an Ask an Expert session
For further information and to RSVP contact Sneha Prakash at 780-248-1969 or email [email protected].
OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION
Mill Woods Seniors Activity Centre
October 16
$50 

Enjoy a full German buffet, entertainment and silent auction. Pre-dinner drinks start at 6 p.m. and dinner is at 7 p.m.  Call 780-496-2997 or 780-496-2933 to purchase tickets. Learn more. Location: Mill Woods Seniors and Multicultural Centre - 2610 Hewes Way.
MULTI-CULTURAL SENIOR DAY CELEBRATION
October 17, 1 - 4 p.m.
Location: Central Lions Seniors Recreation Centre (11113 - 113 St.)
Free

A multi-cultural celebration to honour our greatest treasure - our seniors! This event will feature different cultural performances, displays, snacks, door prizes and more! The event is open to everyone. For more information call Maria at Action 4 Healthy Communities 780-944-4687.
FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION
Sage (15 Sir Winston Churchill Square)
October 21, 1 p.m.
Free

Learn how to protect you and your loved ones against the most common scams, frauds, and identity theft that specifically target seniors. Detective Bill Allen of the Edmonton Police Service will discuss common internet scams such as sites impersonating RCMP or Police requiring payment to avoid persecution; telephone scams such as spoofing or impersonation of victim's known contact voice; Nigerian 419 scams; lottery winnings and inheritance requiring advance payment to process; and door to door snake oil sales scams. Call 780-423-5510 ext. 301 to register.
DINNER THEATRE COMEDY NIGHT
North Edmonton Seniors Association (7524-139 Ave)
October 23

Featuring Shawn Gramiak, David Rae & Ken Hicks. $50 tickets on sale until October 16 at our centre. Call 780-496-6969 for more information.
ANNUAL BAZAAR
North West Edmonton Seniors Society (12963 - 120 St.)
October 31, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Free Admission

Crafts, household items, knitting, home baking and much more.  Enjoy a delicious lunch from our kitchen.
More  news and events for seniors
(links to the ESCC News and Events for Seniors webpage)
Volunteer/Work Opportunities for Seniors
SAFETY SUPERHEROES

The Safety Superheroes Falls Prevention Program is a unique storybook approach to inter-generational falls prevention. Older adult volunteers are trained to show elementary aged children how to prevent falls in their home and school.

Volunteers attend one 90-minute training session that includes information about falls prevention, a training manual, and hands-on experience with all of the materials.

Trained volunteers (in pairs) visit classrooms in Edmonton and area schools and spend approximately a half hour with children reading the story and doing the activities. Visits are arranged by the education coordinator.
For more information contact Melanie Morgan-Redshaw, Education Coordinator at the Injury Prevention Centre at 780-492-9768 or by email at [email protected].
(links to the Volunteer and Work Opportunities webpage)
MORE INFORMATION

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