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Lambton Seniors Association, the 29th and newest Funded Agency of the United WayThe United Way of Sarnia-Lambton is pleased to announce that the Lambton Seniors Association (LSA) has been approved as their 29th Funded Agency. The LSA has received 3 years of Venture Grant funding from the United Way for its Communications Program for two years and most recently their Handyman/Handywoman program which is a current grant. This program meets the United Way's Funding Priority of Seniors Programs and is open to all resident's of Lambton County.
"Keeping seniors living in their own homes safely and for as long as possible is what we are all aiming for," says Laura Black, Chair of the Community Investment Committee of the United Way Board.
This program permits seniors to live in their own home and maintain it in a safe and clean manner, therefore avoiding early entrance into long term care facilities or nursing homes and requiring little government financial assistance. The quality of life for seniors is much better if they can live in their own homes.
Our region supports a much higher percentage of seniors over the age of 65 years - 20% compared to 16% for both Ontario and Windsor, and 15% for London. According to Stats Canada, 2001, there are an estimated 25,000 seniors in Lambton County.
United Way Venture Grant Funding
The United Way Venture Grant fund was set up to address immediate community needs. The Venture Grant program is available throughout the year for new projects or projects not previously funded by the United Way. "It allows the United Way to meet a community need in a timely fashion. Organizations do not have to wait to apply once a year, they can do it anytime", says Pamela Cumming, Community Investment & Finance Director of the United Way.
All Venture Grant funding decisions are made by a committee comprised of volunteers in Lambton County. All applications for funding receive a thorough hearing, which includes a live presentation by the organization. But Cumming stresses funding is given to socially-significant programs. "It's not there to fund capital expenses," she said. "The service must meet at least one of the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Funding Priorities, which are; Poverty and Working Poor Families, Medical Program and Services, Senior's Programs, Rural Programs, and Youth with Physical, Mental or Social Challenges.
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For more information, please contact Pamela Bodkin at (519) 336-5452 Ext. 5 or email pam@theunitedway.on.ca.
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