The city of White Rock is one of 25 B.C. communities to receive a grant to support seniors live active, inclusive and independent lives.

The communities recognized through the distribution of grants introduced projects this year to make their cities 鈥渁ge-friendly,鈥� reads a release from Ministry of Health. White Rock is receiving $15,000 for a program called Poetry in Motion, which is a walking-tour poetry program to support local businesses.

鈥淭aking care of our seniors and making sure they have access to the supports and services they need to live fulfilling lives is a priority for our government,鈥� said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.

鈥淐reating age-friendly communities is an important part of this as it helps seniors remain independent. I look forward to seeing the great initiatives proposed by the grant recipients come to life.鈥�

The Age-Friendly Communities Grant Program has a vision of 鈥渆quity, sustainability and multi-sector partnerships.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 important for seniors to feel included and comfortable in their communities as they age,鈥� said Mable Elmore, parliamentary secretary for Seniors鈥� Services and Long-Term Care.

鈥淭hese age-friendly assessments, action plans and projects will help our seniors age in place and be socially engaged and active members of their communities.鈥�

Some communities in B.C. are recognized under 鈥楽tream 1鈥� which awards them up to $25,000 for their programs and projects. White Rock is under the 鈥楽tream 2鈥� section which gives each community chosen $15,000.

鈥淣ow, more than ever, age-friendly communities planning and implementation are important steps for the shifting demographics in Canada,鈥� said Jodi Mucha, executive director of BC Healthy Communities Society.