Tag: o55

  • OTF Seed Project Update

    OTF Seed Project Update

    Over the past 18 months, we have been fortunate enough to work on an OTF funded seed project to help make an impact at an LMCH community. Like all of you, our work was impacted by the global pandemic, however we worked hard to adapt and continue to serve older adults in London.

    I would like to thank OTF for their support, and their flexibility in allowing us to adapt our project to meet the current environment; without their support, our latest project, SeniorHub.ca, could not have been possible.

    We look forward to continuing to expand this platform beyond the life of the grant, and we hope that you are all staying happy and healthy in 2021.

    Thank you.

    Rodolfo Martinez, for the Over 55 Team.

  • A Change in Focus

    A Change in Focus

    This global pandemic has impacted all of us, and forced us to rethink one of our most exciting OTF pilot projects.

    In 2019, we began the process of working with London Middlesex Community Housing (LMCH) to bring our programming and workshops to its residents. The aim was to not only increase learning options for residents, but to also foster work and volunteer opportunities, while helping to combat a significant issue: social isolation.

    Within the building, many residents felt lonely or disconnected from each other. There were some great community champions, and as a whole reisdents did care about their building and wanted to see genuine change; they just needed a bit of support.

    The residents had launched an onsite food bank, which we were glad to support. In addition, we created specialized workshops and had an onsite community engagement specialist, to gather their feedback and stories.

    As the pandemic hit and forced a lockdown, we were left unable to deliver physical services. After a pause to ensure the safety of residents, project partners and our team, we re-initiated with a virtual model that could benefit even more people.

    This is not the result we envisioned, but this pandemic is clearly beyond anyone’s control, and we look forward to the next chapter in this project. And as always, we are grateful for the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, especially during these challenging times.

    Ontario Trillium Foundation Logo
  • Reflecting on a Year of Growth

    Reflecting on a Year of Growth

    Looking Ahead to Year 3 of Our OTF Grow Grant

    In April of 2017, we were thrilled to announce that the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) had chosen to support Over 55 through a Grow Grant.  The $397,000 awarded to our organisation has already had a significant impact in growing our membership base, as well as social enterprise revenues.  2018 Represented a record growth in the number of our Associate Members – individuals age 55+, who work as entrepreneurs delivering important services to the community.  With the support of OTF, we hope to do something that we have never done before: to achieve over 100 active senior entrepreneurs on our membership roster.

    Over 55 Skills At Work - Man cutting floor tile

    As we begin to enter the final year of our OTF Grow grant, we are also excited to expand to other communities, with our first pilot being in Guelph.

    Over 55 Skills At Work - Female Senior Entrepreneur

    In closing, we would like to thank OTF, our community partners, staff, volunteers, and our Associate Members, as we look forward to the next phase of growth for Over 55 Skills At Work.

    Ontario Trillium Foundation Logo