Over the last three years, CREW has nurtured vibrant and enthusiastic senior volunteers in St. James Town. This very diverse group is growing, strongly connected to, and working effectively with youth volunteers. The volunteers are engaged with projects that promote physical activities, such as discovery walks, cooking clubs, community gardening groups and at the same time learning about the climate extreme weather impact preparedness that is CREW’s core mandate.

Low-income seniors are among the most vulnerable to climate impacts, especially heatwaves, and storms and flooding that cause power outages. CREW’s seniors live in often poorly maintained high-rise buildings. Many do not have social support outside of their CREW networks. Most do not have any resources, financial or otherwise, to carry them through a period of emergency or crisis. 

All of these activities are led by seniors, for seniors, with support from CREW’s youth and under 55 volunteers. Activities are supported throughout by CREW’s project lead who participates in all of the events and responds to the logistical needs of each of the seniors’ groups. During COVID restrictions, CREW supported seniors in engaging in online weekly meetings that have evolved into new friendships and continued online connections.

Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Download the program flyer.