The Slaight Family Foundation invests in Red Cross program for seniors

$1 million for program to keep seniors healthy and living in their own homes.

The Canadian Red Cross extends its gratitude to Gary Slaight and The Slaight Family Foundation for awarding $1 million from the Allan Slaight Seniors Fund, which is an historic initiative that addresses the importance of ensuring seniors remain living where they prefer to be – in their homes and communities.  On the United Nations International Day of Older Persons and National Seniors Day in Canada, The Slaight Family Foundation announced the recipients for its $15 million Seniors Initiative, which includes 13 Toronto hospitals, and four national organizations including the Red Cross’ Care Connections program.  

Key facts

The Slaight Family Foundation Seniors Fund will allow Red Cross to:

• Expand and develop the Care Connectors program in a pilot location in the GTA as well as a community site in New Brunswick;
• Partner with other health institutions to build on our learnings and refine our model;
• Work towards a sustainable program that can be scaled nationally to communities across Canada.   

The Care Connectors program depends on a network of trained Red Cross volunteers who will connect to seniors in the community, conduct an assessment to understand what matters to the individual and their overall health and connect them with resources in the community.  Red Cross volunteers accompany the senior through a planned path to healthy and independent living.
 

Quotes

Quote from Conrad Sauvé, President and CEO, Canadian Red Cross
 
“I want to thank Gary Slaight and The Slaight Family Foundation for this generous funding that will allow Red Cross to improve the lives of seniors in our community.  The Slaight Family Foundation’s Seniors Initiative demonstrates a vision for successful aging within the home and community.  We know that when seniors connect to their communities, the impact can be transformative and health outcomes are improved.”
 
Quote from Gary Slaight, The Slaight Family Foundation
 
“Seniors are Canada’s fastest growing demographic, yet a very under-supported and vulnerable population. Finding new ways of assisting seniors, particularly those who have trouble accessing our health and social services due to poverty or other barriers, is essential to helping keep people healthier longer and in their own communities. This gift is only possible due to our father Allan Slaight’s foresight, business acumen and philanthropic leadership. We hope these new models and programs will serve as change agents in moving support and care for our seniors forward for years to come.”

About the Canadian Red Cross
Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 190 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies – the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and throughout the world.

About The Slaight Family Foundation
The Slaight Family Foundation takes a strategic approach to philanthropy, addressing specific issues facing society in partnership with multiple organizations at the same time. The Slaight Family Seniors Initiative is the fifth major funded initiative supporting numerous organizations on the same theme in hopes of gaining quicker and improved results in a variety of sectors. Previous initiatives included $50 million in 2013 to five hospitals in Toronto to support the delivery of advanced healthcare; $7 million in 2015 to seven Canadian NGOs to support Canada’s lifesaving efforts in global humanitarianism; $11 million in 2016 to support the healthy development of children and youth across Canada via 11 national organizations; and $12 million in 2017 to 15 charities and national organizations working to improve the physical, mental and social well-being of Canada’s Indigenous populations.