News for Staff and Volunteers of Seniors Organizations
ESCC AGM
April 29, 1 – 3 p.m.
Ital-Canadian Seniors Drop in Centre (9111 110 Avenue)
Parking is available in the lot west of the centre. Overflow parking is available in the Commonwealth Stadium Parking Lot.
Closed captioning will be available.
Keynote Address: Social Isolation of Indigenous Seniors
The Edmonton Social Planning Council undertook a research study with Indigenous seniors and service providers to explore social isolation. We welcome Sandra Ngo of the Edmonton Social Planning Council and Carola Cunningham of the research study advisory committee to discuss how Indigenous seniors experience isolation in Edmonton and the challenges, barriers, and opportunities to providing services that respect and engage Indigenous seniors.
GeriActors is looking for organizations to host theatre workshops
In June, GeriActors is offering a Facilitator Training program for people who want to develop skills in community-based and seniors theatre. At the end of the program, the participants will facilitate their own theatre workshop to put into practice what they have learned.
This is where you come in! GeriActors is inviting community organizations to host workshops this summer. All workshops will be led by training program participants, supervised by GeriActors staff.
A GeriActors workshop is the perfect place to begin for people who have EVER acted or NEVER acted. Through storytelling, theatre games, improv, laughter and fun, participants will use their imagination, and watch their memories come alive. Workshops are barrier free and inclusive, with participants of all abilities and experiences. They are also very skilled at running intergenerational workshops so if this fits with your organization let them know.
GeriActors is offering host organizations a discounted rate of $100 per workshop ($100 savings)
- Workshops are ideally 90-minutes each, but other times can be negotiated
- Hosts will arrange for participants (8-20 people)
- Hosts are responsible for providing workshop space and light refreshments
Contact Becca Barrington at 780-248-1556 or geriactors.friends@gmail.com for more information.
Sage Awards Tickets
Tickets for the 13th annual Sage Awards are now available. The event celebrates the profound impact seniors have on our communities. Recipients and nominees of the Sage Awards include seniors who improve the lives of others and make an imprint for social change, devote themselves to emergent issues, build healthy, just and innovative communities, dedicate themselves to environmental protection, enhancement and stewarding, and excel in inspiring others. The eclectic and diverse assortment of award recipients speaks to the distinct contributions seniors make to our community.
Sage Awards
June 6, 4 – 6 p.m.
Sutton Place Hotel (10235 101 St.)
$50
Tickets can be purchased online. If you prefer to purchase the tickets by mail, email, or phone, fill out a ticket reservation form.
For more information, visit www.mysage.ca/events/awards.
Book a GeriActors & Friends performance
The GeriActors & Friends produce original plays that focus on aging rather than age and celebrate our commonalities. Ranging in age from 24 to 88 years old, the GeriActors are seniors from Edmonton and area and the Friends are students and alumni from the University of Alberta.
GeriActors & Friends has developed new plays that explore what it means to be a senior in Edmonton, which they are performing during their Spring Tour from May to June. If you are interested in booking a performance this spring, or anytime in the future, contact Becca Barrington at 780-248-1556 or geriactors.friends@gmail.com.
Improving social inclusion for Edmonton seniors
On January 21, ESCC submitted a concept proposal for a project to increase the social inclusion of seniors in Edmonton to the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) for Pan-Canadian projects. We hope to receive an invitation to submit a fully-developed proposal later this spring, with implementation of approved projects to begin later this summer.
Our proposal will include projects and ideas from organizations in Edmonton which want to collaborate to increase social inclusion for seniors. If we are invited to submit a proposal, we will have a very short window of opportunity to receive community-based collaborative proposals for activities that will align with NHSP objectives and our Collective Impact Plan. We are encouraging potential partners to start work now on outlining projects and making connections.
Our Next Steps document outlines our call for Edmonton communities to brainstorm ways of engaging seniors and breaking down barriers to inclusion that are faced by many vulnerable groups. We are looking to support and build on existing knowledge, experience, and networks; and to create new relationships and partnerships that will lead to greater sustainable capacity, engagement, and social inclusion of seniors. Please share the document widely and use it to stimulate and facilitate conversations that will lead to more great work in Edmonton.
Contact Tim Henderson at tim@seniorscouncil.net to learn more about how you can get involved.
Opportunity to host an ageism workshop
Ageism: The ism within... and without
Is ageism a harmful social problem? What do you think? To many researchers, ageism is possibly the most insidious of all the isms. We may unknowingly or unwittingly denigrate others because of their age and, worst of all, we may denigrate ourselves for our oldness. Does ageism have stereotypes and if it does, what are they? Can health be improved and life extended with a more positive outlook toward ageing? Can we learn to respond more effectively when we encounter ageism? Your thoughts on this ism will make for a fascinating discussion.
This workshop is 90 minutes in length and is offered free of charge to participants. If your organization is interested in hosting a workshop, contact Mary Whale of the Age Friendly Edmonton Ageism Hub for further information at mary.whale@espcn.ca or 780-905-9880.