Welland, ON – The City of Welland is one of the communities in Ontario selected to receive an Ontario Age-Friendly Community Recognition Award. The prestigious award was presented to Doug Rapelje—Past Chair of the Welland Senior Citizens Advisory Committee (WSCAC)—on behalf of the City of Welland and WSCAC. The award was presented by the Honourable Dipika Damerla, Minister for Senior Affairs, on March 26, 2018, at the Ontario Age-Friendly Communities Symposium: Aging with Confidence, in Toronto, Ontario.
Welland, along with 40 other communities, was pleased to attend and receive age-friendly awards at the Aging with Confidence Symposium. The WSCAC was honoured to accept the Age-Friendly award, and lead Welland towards a better age-friendly city.
“Our seniors represent an invaluable relationship between better livability and social connection for all ages in Welland. They are leaders, volunteers, and advisors who have the experience and resources to improve our city and its social infrastructure,” said Mayor Frank Campion. “I’m elated that the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, through their hard work and dedication to our community enabled us to achieve this recognition. The Committee helps us break down barriers and grow a socially responsible city that enhances lives for all ages.”
Welland has been an age-friendly leader in Niagara since 2009 when the Welland Senior Citizens Advisory Committee presented the Age-Friendly Community Project to Welland City Council. Age-friendly communities are characterized by accessible and inclusive environments that enable seniors to live more active, independent, and socially connected lives.
The Age-Friendly movement is now promoted in every community in Niagara under the leadership of the Regional Age-Friendly Leadership Council, along with the support of Regional and local Councils, and the Trillium Foundation. For more information on the City of Welland age-friendly
