Capacity Links Seniors

The Capacity Links Seniors Program works in collaboration with the Ray-Cam Cooperative Centre and Strathcona Community Centre in delivering outreach and support services to senior citizens living in the Downtown Eastside, Grandview Woodlads and Strathcona neighbourhoods. B.C. Housing, Britannia Community Centre and the Vancouver Second Mile Society work in coordination with the program to assist in its implementation.

In Capacity Links’ Home Support service, we employ women in Vancouver’s inner city to
provide non-medical home cleaning and accompaniment services for seniors in the DTES, Grandview Woodlands and Strathcona. This project helps the most vulnerable and fragile seniors to stay in their homes by providing daily monitoring of their conditions and linking them to the supports and services they require. The project builds on and increases existing community capacity, builds peer networks among seniors, identifies and builds on needed community partnerships, and maximizes the capacity of program participants to remain healthy and independent.

The target population is vulnerable and marginalized Inner City residents 60 years and older
who self-identify or are identified through local community organizations, outreach workers, their
families or their peers as potentially benefiting from coordinated supports. The Project utilizes the existing capacity of community seniors as volunteers (matching compatibility, residence, first language e.g. Cantonese, etc.) to help more fragile senior members in simple functions such as preparing meals, shopping, remembering doctors’appointments. Volunteers attached to community centres perform daily health check ins for those marginalized seniors with health concerns.

For more information on the program email the program manager at info@niccss.ca or call 604-569-2787.

Fudning for this program is provided by United Way of the Lower Mainland.