Abbotsford Community Partnerships and 50 years as a Community Centre for Seniors
By: Julie Ireton
Abbotsford at the Glebe Centre and its next door neighbour, Chartwell Lord Lansdowne now have an official partnership which will bring in new money for seniors programming, according to Abbotsford manager, Dave O’Neill.
Through the partnership, Chartwell will contribute $15,000 every year for three years.
“It provides some financial stability, knowing there’s money we can rely on,” said O’Neill.
“It allows us to plan for capital projects or community programming.”
In return, Abbotsford welcomes Lord Lansdowne residents to take part in activities at the seniors’ centre, and it will promote the retirement residence by including its logo and branding at events.
“There’s a need for corporations to show they’re doing good in the community,” said O’Neill. “This shows they’re giving back.”
The Lord Lansdowne tower and historic Abbotsford House are actually attached, and the two groups already had a close rapport, according to Curtis Vasquez-Guindon, Regional Business Development Manager for Chartwell in the Ottawa area.
“We’ve been working with them for years in an unofficial capacity,” said Vasquez-Guindon.
For instance, the food for Abbotsford’s popular men’s breakfast club, a social group of 20 participants, is prepared in the Chartwell kitchen once a month.
The door opens both ways, notes Vasquez-Guindon.
“All activities on site are open to seniors in the community at no cost,” he said of the Lord Lansdowne facility. “A lot of people don’t know that. The partnership with Abbotsford allows us to spread the word to the community.”
Lord Lansdowne welcomes seniors who want to live independently, but also
offers full assisted living services if necessary, says Vasquez-Guindon who notes 85 per cent of those living in the residence are already from the Glebe.
“We want the community to know it’s a hub for anything they might need for social services, engagement, help and advice,” he said.
Celebrating 50 years of Abbotsford Seniors Centre
The retirement residence was also one of the sponsors for Abbotsford’s recent 50th anniversary celebrations in early September.
The event attracted attention in the neighbourhood, with multi-generational belly dancing, a beach ball volleyball game and line-dancing in their parking lot on Bank Street.
Twelve booths were on site in the multi-purpose room that day with a range of information on services for seniors.
The Older Adults Centrers’ Association of Ontario (OACAO) sponsored the fair and celebration. All the activities were open to the public at no cost. Two art classes were held, two presentations as well as individual hearing and dental assessments.
Musical entertainment, games and a communal lunch/BBQ were held in the parking lot free of charge to all who registered for these celebratory events.
“It’s an honour to be part of an organization that’s been serving the community for so long,” said O’Neill who started his role as manager at Abbotsford this past spring.
“We need to keep doing what we’re doing.”
Abbotsford Seniors Centre is for Adults 55+. It houses the community programs of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit, organization which includes a 254 bed long term care home. Find out more about our services by telephoning 613-230-5730 during regular business hours or by checking out all of the Glebe Centre facilities and community programs on our website www.glebecentre.ca
