After three and a half years as a hub of connection in the mid-Island region, the Seniors Connect Centre at 150 Wallace Street in downtown Nanaimo will close on November 22, 2019.
Nonprofit agency Nanaimo Family Life Association (NFLA) has run the Seniors Connect Centre as a partner in the federally-funded New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The NHSP funding in Nanaimo concludes in December of 2019. The Centre’s purpose has been to alleviate social isolation and connect vulnerable older adults to their community. By all accounts it has been a very successful project. Social isolation is a leading cause of mental and physical illness and considered, for seniors, as unhealthy as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
The Seniors Connect Centre’s impact has been widely felt in the community. During its operation, the Centre welcomed thousands of seniors through the doors. During drop in days over 4,700 unique visitors accessed coffee, snacks, advocacy support, and social connection – all at no cost. The range of free workshops and classes also logged over 3,400 attendees between the opening of the Centre to August 2019.
Deborah Hollins, Executive Director of NFLA says, “The Seniors Connect Centre has become a home for many of our city’s most vulnerable older adults. With their input, we have created a safe space where older adults can find friendship, practical help and support. We have worked hard to alleviate social isolation, a major health issue for Seniors. We will continue to look for funding and a space to alleviate this issue in our community. We are concerned about many of those who have become part of this community, and will continue to advocate for a space and appropriate programming for them.”
Nanaimo Family Life Association will continue to work with all levels of government and other nonprofit agencies in the community to ensure that seniors remain connected and supported in our community.
Contact: Sacia Burton, Seniors Connect Project Administrator at Nanaimo Family Life Association
Phone: 250-754-3331 (ext. 203)
Email: s_burton@nflabc.org