Nelson CARES launches Phase III of its Moving Together Project

NELSON – Nelson CARES launched Phase III of its Moving Together project today with a ‘thank you’ to major project supporters.

Jenny Robinson, Executive Director of Nelson CARES, acknowledged the contribution of the Vancouver Foundation this morning for its support of the senior’s transportation improvement initiative, launched in 2014.

“We are extremely grateful to the Vancouver Foundation, and all our partners, for their ongoing commitment to this project,” said Robinson. “Without their help, we would not be here today announcing the implementation of our transportation action plan.”

The Foundation grant of $85,000 will allow Nelson CARES to continue its work with stakeholder groups to address barriers to transportation for seniors in the West/Central Kootenays, and develop policy and best practices initiatives for regional transportation services.

“Moving Together is an innovative social initiative that will have broad community impacts,” said Kevin McCort, CEO of the Vancouver Foundation. “The Foundation is proud to support projects that help seniors in rural areas develop stronger connections to their communities and contribute to their quality of life.”

The funding will also allow Nelson CARES to hire a Transportation Animator. That person will work with seniors directly to help them identify transportation challenges and connect them to appropriate transportation solutions. The Animator will also promote public awareness of issues and encourage collaboration among transportation providers.

Nelson CARES hopes to have the Transportation Animator position filled by year’s end, Robinson noted.

Nelson CARES launches Phase III of its Moving Together Project

“Transportation has been overwhelmingly identified as a primary issue for our rural senior population,” said Robinson. “The Animator’s front-line work identifying challenges and building solutions for individuals will contribute directly to fuller, richer lives for seniors.”

Besides the Vancouver Foundation, Moving Together has been supported by the Columbia Basin Trust, the Osprey Community Foundation, and the BC Community Response Network. Key provincial stakeholders such as BC Transit and Interior Health will continue to be engaged in Phase III of the project, as will organizations as diverse as the West Kootenay Volunteer Driver Program and Kootenay Carshare.

Moving Together is a pilot project of the Age Friendly Community initiative (AFC). The overarching goal of the AFC initiative is to enhance seniors’ independence and inclusion in community life, and improve health and social outcomes.

For more information about the Age Friendly Community Initiative or the Moving Together Project contact 250-352-6011 or seniorsproject@nelsoncares.ca.
For more information, media may contact:Corrine Younie, Age Friendly Community Initiative, Nelson CARES Society250.505.7465

Age Friendly Community (AFC) Initiative: Community working collaboratively to enhance seniors’ quality of life and strengthen community capacity to meet the needs of a growing senior population in the Kootenays. The AFC Initiative is a project of Nelson CARES Society, funded by the Osprey Community Foundation, with additional financial support from Columbia Basin Trust and Vancouver Foundation.