PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR CANADIAN SENIORS
Government of Canada
On May 12,
Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau
announced a series of additional measures to help Canadian seniors and provide them with greater financial security in this time of crisis. These measures include
:
-
P
roviding $2.5B in support for a one-time tax-free payment of up to $500 for seniors eligible for the O
ld Age Security (OAS) pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). This measure would assist seniors
struggling
with increased costs from COVID-19.
-
Expanding the New Horizons for Seniors Program with a $20M investment
for
community
-based
pro
j
ects
to
reduce
seniors' social isolation,
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ONLINE HUB HELPS SENIORS DURING COVID-19 AND BEYOND
Government of Alberta
Multiple stakeholders, including the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council, have been working with Alberta Seniors and Housing to develop and implement CORE Alberta.
CORE - Collaborative Online Resources and Education - provides a platform for seniors-serving organizations to improve delivery of services for seniors. The hub will make it easier for organizations to share resources and coordinate services, with a focus on key COVID-19 issues, including transportation, food security, social isolation and home supports. F
or more information about the platform, reference this
May 10
announcement
.
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(links to the ESCC News for Seniors Organizations web page)
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ITEMS FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Santas Anonymous
Santas Anonymous sometimes receives items that can't be used at Christmas time. Right now,
Santa has
gifts
to share
with organizations.
Items are new and includ
e s
tuffed animals of all sizes
, puzzles,
Star Wars themed adult
colouring
book
s, p
ool noodles
,
S
crabble
games
, and card deck
s.
At this time, Santas Anonymous is not equipped to handle requests from individuals and is limiting requests to organizations. For more information,
email
Lana at
[email protected]
.
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(links to the ESCC Resources web page)
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GENDER INCLUSIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE
Centre for Race and Culture (CFRAC)
May 19, 1 - 2 p.m.
Free
While public awareness on issues around gender equality and gender inclusivity has increased, there is still a considerable amount of confusion, discomfort and lack of tangible recommendations on how
we all can
contribute to
a
gender-inclusive environment
.
T
his webinar will address inclusion in the workplace
and review a
practical guide designed by The Centre for Race and Culture for promoting and advancing gender inclusivity in the non-profit sector.
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FROM CLASSROOM TO VIRTUAL - MAKING THE TRANSITION
Leadership Strategies
May 21, 12 - 1 p.m.
Free
The world of training is shifting. Where
we gather to learn has changed
but HOW
we
learn
remains
the same.
This webinar highlights proven strategies for bringing the
best
of the classroom experience to the virtual environment and how to leverage the unique advantages for learners and trainers available in
an online space. This webinar will
help you:
-
Prevent distractions among participants
-
Answer participant questions
-
Gauge
audience
engagement and
comprehension
-
Find a
virtual training platform
that works for your program
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HELPING YOUR NFP WEATHER THE ECONOMIC STORM
CharityVillage
May 28, 10 - 11 a.m. (Pacific)
Free
In this time of uncertainty, many not-for-profit organizations across Canada are struggling to retain donors and stay afloat. This webinar will discuss the common issues nonprofits tend to face during a recession, as well as immediate measures and long-term strategies organizations can put in place to weather the economic storm.
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REMOTE STAFF: HOW TO DEVELOP A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT STAFF BY PROMOTING HIGH RESPONSIBILITY AND HIGH FREEDOM
This webinar will show you
step-by-step how to build an impactful remote staff culture of amazing "rock star" team players who thrive on high levels of responsibility and are empowered through high levels of freedom.
You will
leave
this webinar with concrete actions to foster a successful remote
nonprofit
workforce
. In this session, learn how to:
-
E
mpower your employees to be
r
esponsible and manage themselves
-
C
reate and keep your remote team or organization
connected
-
Communicate
throughout your remote team or organization
-
Inspire
success by rewarding employees with high levels of freedom
-
Manage
burnout and stress in a remote work environment
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More
learning opportunities for staff/volunteers in the seniors sector
(links to the ESCC Learning Opportunities web page)
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News and Events for Seniors
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#GROWOLDERWITHME THIS SENIORS' WEEK
Seniors' Week is June 1 - 7. While we can't get together in-person, we can celebrate virtually! Age Friendly Edmonton is starting a conversation to highlight the
many
positives of aging. To participate, submit your name, age, a good quality photo of yourself and a short paragraph about what you're looking forward to about growing older. An online submission form will be released soon. If you would like to participate, email [email protected]. The first 100 participants will be eligible to receive a $5 Tim Hortons gift card (some restrictions apply).
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FRIENDLY PHONE CALLS PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR SENIORS
Are you feeling lonely and wish you could connect with someone over the phone? Local friendly phone call programs provide an opportunity to socialize while staying safely at home. Once you are signed up for a program, someone will call you (often weekly) to check in and chat. Call 211 for a list of friendly phone call programs.
You can read more about how
friendly
phone
initiatives are helping local seniors on page 15 of the most recent
Edmonton
Prime
Times
edition
.
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ZUMBA GOLD (ONLINE)
Edmonton Seniors Centre
Saturdays, 10 - 11 a.m.
Free
Zumba is a fun and lively dance-based workout that doesn't feel like exercise.
Transport yourself to the
beaches of Latin America and m
ove and groove along
to the beats of salsa, flamenco, and merengue music
.
Pre-register by emailing
[email protected]
.
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WISEMEN AND WONDERWOMEN (ONLINE)
Strathcona Place Society
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. (Wisemen); 1:30 p.m. (Wonderwomen)
Free
Back by popular demand, this casual social gathering has moved to an online format. Socialize with peers and converse about new topics each week. Register by calling 780-433-5809 or emailing [email protected].
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CUDDLE UP WITH THE SEA OTTERS OF THE PACIFIC COAST
Atlas Obsucra
May 20, 8 - 9 p.m. (Eastern)
$6
Learn more about
North America's cutest mammal, the sea otter!
Nearly driven to extinction for their thick fur, sea otters have rebounded throughout much of their range on the Pacific Coast but are still threatened by sharks, killer whales, oil spills, and other factors. This online presentation will demonstrate
the influential role sea otters play in their ecosystem, their remarkable tool use, their conflicts with fishermen and Native Alaskans, and how biologists are working to help restore their populations.
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WEEKLY PRESENTATIONS
Alzheimer's Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories
Free
Join these presentations for people with dementia and their partners by phone or computer.
While presentations have a dementia focus, the lessons provided can be beneficial for all people.
Upcoming presentations include:
-
Creating a Meaningful Life
-
Recreation for People Living with Dementia: May 21, 7 p.m.
-
The Importance of Oral Hygiene for People Living with Dementia: May 27, 1 p.m.
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FALL PREVENTION WORKSHOPS
Early Onset Dementia Alberta Foundation and Pursuit of Motion Physiotherapy
May 30, June 6, and June 13, 10 a.m.
With proper conditioning and strength training, it's possible to stay healthy and prevent falls. This series of three workshops will help you to improve your mobility. In the first session, learn tips to recover from a fall. The second and third sessions provide information on strengthening the lower and upper body. Download the brochure for additional details.
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COVID-19 INFORMATION VIDEOS FOR SENIORS
University of Alberta and Optima Living Communities
A new video series for seniors provides tips on how seniors can stay socially connected, what precautions they should take, and how to keep receiving regular medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tips include taking advantage of reserved
shopping hours, using online delivery, and having friends or family members go out for you.
The videos are
publicly available on YouTube.
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TEXT4HOPE
Alberta Health Services
Free
Seeing the bright side can be hard when times are tough. Because of this, AHS is offering a free service, Text4Hope, to provide messages of positivity. The program provides three months of daily Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based text messages written by mental health therapists. The messages include advice and encouragement that can be helpful in developing healthy personal coping skills and resiliency. Text COVID19HOPE to 393939 to subscribe. Note: the program provides one-way communication and does not replace other mental health therapies and supports.
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GLOBAL SEEKING WISE WORDS FROM SENIORS
Our friends from Mill Woods Seniors Association informed us about this great opportunity.
Global
Edmonton
with Jennifer Crosby is looking for 30 second video clips from seniors
with
advice for getting through the pandemic.
Send your words of wisdom to
[email protected]
with the subject line "Wise Words." Please shoot the video in landscape mode (
turn your cell phone sideways).
Don't
forget to include your first and last name. The "Wise Word Wednesdays" segment airs Wednesdays at noon on
GlobalTV
.
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(links to the ESCC News and Events for Seniors web page)
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Volunteer/Work Opportunities for Seniors
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RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS WANTED: REASONS FOR LIMITING SITTING TIME FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF OLDER ADULTS
University of Lethbridge, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education
Older adults 65 years and older are invited to participate in a study
investigating
why older adults choose to reduce daily sitting time. Individuals of all
fitness
levels are
encouraged
to participate. The survey
takes
30-45
minutes
to complete.
Participation
is v
oluntary and confidential. In appreciation for your time spent completing this survey, each participant will be entered into a draw for one of four $25 VISA gift cards.
For more
information
, email
[email protected] or
call
403-332-5207.
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(links to the Volunteer and Work Opportunities web page)
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MORE INFORMATION
Link Letter includes new items each week.
If you're looking for content that was included in a previous issue of Link Letter, refer to the ESCC website:
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STAY CONNECTED
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