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Community
high number of seniors – 1,855 or almost 25% of the area’s population live in uptown
planning tables —
New Westminster, a hilly area north of downtown. For Hans and Trudy and others
dependent on walkers, wheelchairs and scooters getting around their neighbourhoods social change
can be difficult.
in action
Working together as a planning table the New Westminster SSTF, and the City of
New Westminster successfully secured funding from the Built Environment and Active
With your support, United Way funds
Transportation Program for the Wheelability Assessment Project, which helped identify
community planning tables focused
challenges to getting around. The result: the city is preparing maps to identify easy, moderate
on the needs of children, families and
and difficult routes for those with mobility problems and is planning infrastructure
seniors across the Lower Mainland.
improvements. This work wouldn’t have happened without United Way’s support and
The planning tables, which are based
Mariam’s leadership.
throughout the region, give local
communities the tools they need to:
“Thanks to the Wheelability Project we find that things are being improved for our safety,
for our mobility,” says Hans. “Because of fewer hazards I really don’t have to worry about
• share information
Trudy going out. She knows the area. She knows which areas to avoid until improvements
• set community priorities
get done.”
• enhance planning and co-ordination
at the local level
Marg McKee, Chair, New Westminster SSTF sees many benefits to having a funded
planning table coordinator. “We can coordinate and communicate better in our community
• deliver services more effectively
as a task force. We’re more dynamic. We can move forward quicker working together,” says
Marg.
You make a
Greater efficiency and effectiveness
difference
In 2009/10, United Way has committed $175,000 to seniors planning tables, currently
supporting planning tables covering New Westminster, Burnaby, Delta, Surrey, White Rock,
Your donations help fund critical
North Vancouver and Maple Ridge. Over the next three years, United Way will invest
infrastructure like planning tables and
$175,000 annually with the goal of creating three more planning tables.
the staff needed to support them to
create livable communities for everyone.
By working together, seniors, community partners and leaders and United Way are moving
Between 2010-2013, United Way will
the seniors’ agenda forward across the Lower Mainland and creating age-friendly spaces
invest the following amounts for planning
for all.
tables annually in each of our priority
areas:
Early Childhood (children age 0-6)
14 community planning tables,
$300,000
Middle Childhood (children age 6-12)
Nine community planning tables,
$220,000
Seniors
Seven community planning tables,
$175,000
Help us go green!
Receive Impact of Your Gift electronically.
Simply send your email address to
jennyg@uwlm.ca and you’ll get our
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