The 2023 theme for Seniors’ Month is “Working for Seniors.”

The Government of Ontario believes June is a time to recognize the hard work seniors have done all their lives to make Ontario into the great place it is today. The month of June is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the programs and services that are available through Active Living Centre programming across Ontario. It was in 2018 that Community Care received funding to set up Active Living Programs. Seniors Active Living Centre programs help local seniors stay active, become more involved in their community, and meet new friends in person or online.

These programs include: unique social activities; learning and educational opportunities; recreational programming; virtual programs through online video sessions. Prince Edward Community Care is one of almost 300 programs across the province that collectively serve 115,000 seniors annually. Seniors Active Living Programs play an important role in developing programming that connects the aging population to their communities.

It was in 1977 Community Care was established to support seniors to live at home in the community. Through both of these programs we work hard to help keep older adults engaged and active to reduce social isolation and enhance quality of life.

To celebrate Seniors’ Month in Ontario we have invited Bay of Quinte MPP, Minister Todd Smith, to speak at a webinar on “provincial issues of interest to seniors” on Friday, June 23 at 10am. All are welcome to register for this webinar by calling Community Care at 613-476-7493. Todd Smith was born and raised in Riverview, N.B., he has lived in the Belleville area since the early 1990s. A graduate of Loyalist College, he embarked on a 16-year career in radio news broadcasting, rising to the news director of Quinte Broadcasting.

In 2011, Smith was nominated to run as the Progressive Conservative candidate provincially. In June 2018, Smith was elected in the new Bay of Quinte riding as part of a Progressive Conservative majority government. He has been the Ontario Minister of Energy since June 18, 2021.

Beyond politics, Smith has been active with many charitable and community causes. He is a past chair of Operation Red Nose Quinte and he has served as volunteer hockey coach for several years. Amid all of his commitments, Smith’s family remains his most important priority. He enjoys spending time with his wife Tawnya, a local high school teacher, and his daughters Payton and Reagan.

Check the Activity Calendar on Community Care’s website at www.communitycareforseniors.org for all of the events happening during Seniors’ Month in June. Don’t miss out on the great upcoming activities.