YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce Receives $25,000 Grant to Expand Programs for Older Adults
YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce received $25,000 from Ontario’s Seniors Community Grant Program to expand fitness and social workshops supporting healthy aging and community connection for older adults.
The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Government of Ontario’s Seniors Community Grant Program to launch a new initiative focused on promoting healthy aging and reducing social isolation among older adults.
The funding will support Thrive Together: Social & Fitness Workshops for Older Adults, a project designed to offer both physical activity sessions and social gatherings aimed at enhancing mobility, preventing injury, and fostering community connections.
The initiative is part of a broader provincial effort to support seniors in living independently and staying engaged in their communities.
With this grant, the YMCA plans to deliver in-person workshops that focus on strength, agility, and movement, as well as host monthly events designed to build relationships and combat loneliness, particularly for seniors living in rural or underserved areas.
The funding will also be used to purchase equipment and resources, including an interactive game system designed to promote active play, as well as accessibility and comfort upgrades for group settings.
“We are so grateful to the Government of Ontario and to MPP Paul Vickers for their support,” said April McMillan, Manager of Fund Development at the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce. “This funding allows us to enhance programming that helps seniors stay active, build connections, and continue to thrive. These opportunities aren’t just beneficial, they’re essential to aging well, especially for those in rural or underserved areas.”
Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers also praised the YMCA’s work, stating: “The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce has a proven track record of supporting seniors in our community with programming to maintain an active lifestyle. I look forward to seeing the difference our local YMCA will make with this funding.”
The Owen Sound YMCA is one of three area organizations selected in this round of the grant program, alongside the Town of Hanover and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Housing Department.
More details about the new workshops and events will be announced in the coming weeks. Updates will be posted on the YMCA’s website at www.ymcaowensound.on.ca and shared via the organization’s social media channels.