Press release
Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara (CSCHN) has received funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, a program of the Government of Canada, to support a volunteer training initiative across the Niagara Region in partnership with the Age-Friendly Niagara Council (AFNC), which is serving as the regional backbone organization.
The funding will support training that equips volunteers with practical skills in leadership, facilitation, community engagement, and digital communication. The initiative is designed to strengthen local capacity and support the implementation of age-friendly programs across Niagara.
CSCHN will serve as the funding recipient and administrative lead for the initiative, ensuring compliance with program requirements, including full bilingual accessibility in both English and French.
The Age-Friendly Niagara Council (AFNC) functions as the strategic system integrator for Niagara’s agefriendly ecosystem aligning partners, setting shared priorities and ensuring coordinated implementation across communities.
“CSCHN’s role is to support the administration and accessibility of the program,” said Bianca Gagnon, Programs Director at the CSCHN “AFNC provides the regional system leadership needed to implement this work effectively.”
“AFNC is leading the design and delivery of the training to ensure it is aligned, practical, and grounded in community needs,” said project leader Ginger Grant, PhD. “Our partnership with CSCHN allows us to build strategic capacity in a way that ensures diverse efforts operate as a coherent, effective system.” The program will be delivered in phases, with participation opportunities available to community members throughout Niagara.
About Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara (CSCHN)
Mandated to provide health, social, and community services in French to improve the quality of life of Francophones in Hamilton and Niagara, the CSCHN manages community programs based on the most up-to-date evidence regarding the needs of the community it serves. Programs are developed and implemented in accordance with best professional practices, codes of ethics, approved management systems, and the requirements of the Canadian Centre for Accreditation as well as the performance indicators of our many regional, provincial, and federal funders.
About Age-Friendly Niagara Council (AFNC)
The Age-Friendly Niagara Council (AFNC) serves as the strategic system leader for age-friendly development across the Niagara Region, aligning partners, coordinating action, and ensuring that investments translate into sustained, measurable impact. Operating as a regional platform rather than a service provider, AFNC brings together municipalities, community organizations, institutions, and businesses to set shared priorities, guide implementation, and support evidence-informed decision-making. By connecting initiatives, reducing duplication, and scaling what works, AFNC ensures that age-friendly efforts function as a coherent system, one that strengthens participation, belonging, and economic contribution across the lifespan.
About New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP)
The New Horizons for Seniors Program is a Canadian federal grant that provides up to $25,000 in funding for community-based projects designed by or for seniors. It focuses on reducing social isolation, promoting volunteerism and enhancing the quality of life for seniors through social participation and inclusion.
For more information:
Bianca Gagnon
Programs Director
bianca.gagnon@cschn.ca
905-734-1141 – www.cschn.c
