Trillium Grant supports local seniors

By Cecilia Nasmith

The Ontario Trillium Foundation has announced a $456,600 Grow Grant for Community Care Northumberland.

This three-year investment will help expand Community Care's WrapAround for Older Adults programming, tripling its capacity to support older adults across the county.

Though he could not be present, Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini noted that “by investing in this program, we are connecting 300 individuals with complex needs to the care they need, close to home.”

This program develops individualized support plans for older adults with complex needs Over the past four years, this program has supported 82 participants, with 34 successfully transitioning out following positive outcomes. It is currently supporting 46 active participants.

The Trillium Grant will allow the program to transition from a volunteer-led model to a staff-led model, improving consistency, capacity and continuity of care.

Trained staff will each support 30 to 35 participants, while volunteers continue in valued Wraparound support Mentor roles, The change will allow the program to support more than 100 older adults annually, addressing such key needs as housing, transportation, health-care access and social connections.

Community Care Chief Executive Officer Jordan Prosper called the support “truly transformational.

“Northumberland County faces significant gaps in senior-directed services, and the WrapAround program addresses those needs heads-on,” Prosper said in the announcement.

“With this investment, we can grow sustainably, serve more older adults with greater consistency and safety, and ensure that no one has to navigate complex challenges alone.

“We are deeply grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and to MPP David Piccini for championing this vital work.”