The federal government is continuing investment announced earlier this year for Cambridge seniors through support for Islamic centre's senior programming.
In front of a packed gymnasium at the Ontario Muslim Academy at 82 Beverly St. this morning, Cambridge MP Bryan May announced over $30,000 for programs supporting Islamic seniors.
"These investments in the Ontario Muslim Academy and the Galt Islamic Centre will ensure that seniors in Cambridge continue to live a healthy and active lifestyle, and have the opportunity to pass on their years of wisdom and experience to our younger generations," May told a crowd gathered for the announcement.
As a part of the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) the federal government looks to address the growing needs of one of the largest populations in Canada.
The federal government has announced an investment of $25,000 for the Ontario Muslim Academy (OMA), and $8,414 for the Galt Islamic Centre (GIC).
The investment in the OMA will help to create opportunities for seniors by planning and hosting workshops to prevent financial abuse, boost their mental and physical health and facilitate mentoring.
The investment in the GIC will help to host seminars, classes on fitness and healthy eating and also raise awareness of elder and financial abuse.
"We call them seniors, but we also call them pioneers," said Imran Chhapra, religious leader and director of the Ontario Muslim Academy. "Those who came here in the '60s and '70s left their comfort zone to come here for a better life and paved they way for us."
In Islamic culture it is a vital pillar to take care of the seniors as they are the ones who raised and taught the younger generations, he said.
The NHSP has been helping fund seniors programs all over the city. The federal government recently announced $12,000 for the Fairview Seniors Community in Cambridge to help ease the burden of the pandemic.
Their goal is to make it easier for seniors to socialize, be healthy and remain active members of the community.
"It all started with you and whatever we can do we will do more, we will support you more and we will be there for you as much as we can," said Chhapra.
