1. Sunshine Centres for Seniors
Presentation to the Retired Teachers of Ontario Foundation
April 16, 2018

2. Sunshine Centres for Seniors
We provide social, recreational and health promotion day programs for seniors in the Greater Toronto Area. We offer programs at 8 different sites across Toronto with a focus on seniors living in poverty in Toronto Community Housing buildings.

3. Our Mission To reduce social isolation
Improve the health and well-being of older adults
Empower them to lead meaningful and connected lives in which they are engaged and participating in the community.
Promote independence, a sense of belonging to a supportive community, and foster a sense of purpose in life.

4. Social Isolation Negatively effects both physical and mental health
Contributes to cognitive decline
Makes seniors more vulnerable to elder abuse
Is a major risk for depression
Is linked to long-term illnesses
Increases the risk of mortality
Is a widespread problem.

5. Our Programs Reduce social isolation, connect seniors with others
Maintain and improve physical health
Provide cognitive stimulation
Foster a positive outlook
Offer opportunities for creative expression
Connect seniors with other generations
Are meaningful and fun!

6. Camp Sunshine on Ward’s Island
Our Camp Sunshine program on Ward’s Island serves seniors from across Toronto including groups from community organizations, retirement residences, and long-term care facilities. Camp Sunshine was cited by the National Seniors Council in their report as an innovative community program to reduce seniors’ isolation.
Serves seniors from across Toronto
About 70 groups from community organizations, retirement residences, and long-term care facilities attend each year.
Seniors living on their own in the community attend as well.
Was cited by the National Seniors Council as an innovative community program to reduce seniors’ isolation.

7. Activities at Our Programs
Sing-a-longs
Gentle fitness, dance, yoga, and Zumba
Crafts
Trivia and games
Outings
Holiday celebrations
Educational speakers
Gardening and nature walks
Refreshments and a nutritious meal
Case management, counselling and peer support circles.

8. Programs in Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC)
1st site launched at 325 Bleecker Street in St. Jamestown in 2007
2nd site launched at 460 Jarvis in 2008
3rd site started at 375 Bleecker Street in 2010
Rainbow Bridges Across Generations started in 2012
4th site at 252 Sackville in 2014
5th site at 250 Davenport launched in 2016

9. Profiles of our TCHC Participants
Living in poverty
New immigrants such as Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nigerian, Japanese, Portuguese, Polish.
Canadian for many generations
LGBTQ
People with mental health and physical disabilities
Seniors isolated by geography, language and cultural barriers, oppressions such as racism and homophobia.

10. Key Components of Our Programs
TCHC provides free programming space
Requested by seniors in their buildings
Provided free of charge (we encourage donations)
Offered right in the buildings where seniors live
Engaging activities and nutritious food
Drop-in and offered once or twice per week.

11. Outreach Strategies Outreach Tables in building lobbies
Posting flyers and program calendars in building lobbies
Participating in local events such as neighbourhood festivals
lists and social media
Information fairs
Participant word of mouth

12. Successes 190 seniors participated in our TCHC programs in 2017
9,650 visits to our programs in 2017
Average of 25 seniors per day
Seniors have become engaged and connected to a supportive community
Seniors attend our other programs and events including Camp Sunshine

13. Benefits of our Programs
Participants share with us:
They feel less isolated since coming to our program
They gain social connections
They develop a more positive outlook
The program contributes to their improved physical health.

14. Participant Feedback
The morning exercises are a lot of fun and keep me healthy.
I was able to make new friends and it allowed me to socialize more with people in the building
Through the program I have made many friends.
It is very nice to get a home cooked meal from the sunshine
Being able to meet new people has made me happier
It has educated me to the different people in my building
“The morning exercises are a lot of fun and keep me healthy.”
“I was able to make new friends and it allowed me to socialize more with people in the building.”
“It is very nice to get a home cooked meal from the sunshine.”
“Being able to meet new people has made me happier.”
“It has educated me to the different people in my building.”

15. Challenges Reaching new seniors Offering activities to please everyone
Complex needs of seniors
Addressing conflict among participants
Responding to requests for seniors for new programs
Funding!!

16. Strategies to Engage Seniors
Offer opportunities to participate and/or volunteer - both are important!
Provide food especially nutritious meals
Use a variety of outreach strategies
Schedule activities at a convenient time
Offer flexibility
Remove any financial barriers
Create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere
Offer a variety of activities
Treat seniors with dignity and respect.

17. Thank you for your attention!