The Korean Senior Citizens Society of Toronto has received Government of Canada funding to promote community awareness in the fight against elder abuse.

Mr. Barry Devolin, Member of Parliament for Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock, congratulated the Society on its project today at an event held by the project sponsors. Mr. Devolin was representing the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors).

“Our government takes elder abuse very seriously, and we will combat it in all its forms, from physical to financial and emotional,” said Mr. Devolin. “Awareness is key to eliminating elder abuse. That is why the Government of Canada supports projects like this one, so that the community has the information it needs to recognize this abuse and to let seniors know that help is available.”

The Korean Senior Citizens Society of Toronto will receive $101,492 for its project called Elder Abuse Education for Korean Seniors and the Korean Community. Through educational outreach, the Society will raise awareness of elder abuse within the Korean community of Toronto, and reach out to seniors to inform them where to seek help.

Today’s celebration follows an announcement on February 11, 2010, of an investment of more than $1.5 million in 16 projects across Canada that will help reduce the incidence of abuse against older adults throughout the country.

The project highlighted today falls under the Elder Abuse Awareness component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which supports national and regional projects.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living. Since its beginning, the Program has funded over 6,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. Last year alone, more than 100,000 seniors in over 500 communities throughout the country were involved in projects funded by the Program.

The recent Jobs and Growth Budget committed $5 million per year to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This will be in addition to the $35 million provided every year to support projects for seniors in communities across Canada.