Good Companions to expand transportation program with grant

By Lui Xia Lee

The Ottawa Community Foundation has given a one-time grant of $10,000 to the Good Companions Seniors’ Centre to assist in expansion of the centre’s transportation program.

The expanded program aims to reduce social isolation among seniors and increase food security.

Monique Doolittle-Romas, executive director of the Good Companions Seniors’ Centre, said while plans haven’t yet been finalized, the centre hopes to extend its services to new clients in different areas.

“Right now, we’re just working out all the details with our partner,” she said. “We’re meeting with them around in the middle of April.”

The Albert Street centre currently offers a few forms of transportation programs, including rides to grocery shopping as well as pickups for medical and essential appointments. These services are limited by geographical area and to registered clients.

Rebecca Aird, director of grants and community knowledge at the Ottawa Community Foundation, said the grant committee approved the centre’s application because Good Companions’ outreach makes a difference to vulnerable residents.

“For me, it’s a way of giving the seniors a little bit more of an opportunity for both an independence in the way they shop in a more social context, and getting them access to reasonable affordable food,” Aird said.

The Ottawa Community Foundation is a public, non-profit community philanthropy organization. The foundation’s Community Grants Program gives charities or their partners a chance to apply for funding for their projects.

Aird said the grant committee is made up of knowledgeable field experts who were convinced by the centre’s plan for its program.

“We really like the fact that they have a number of good partners on it,” she said.

Doolittle-Romas said reducing social isolation among seniors is a priority for the Good Companions because isolation is as unhealthy as smoking cigarettes.

Lynne Henshaw, projects coordinator at Nainamo Seniors Connect Centre in British Columbia, said it’s important to support anyone facing social isolation.

“It can happen to anyone, no matter what sort of demographic level you come from,” she said. “It can happen quickly, kind of like a house of cards, it can fall down quickly.”

Ami Rokach, a clinical psychologist and professor at York University, said via email that transportation accessibility can be helpful in tackling social isolation among seniors, but there are other factors preventing seniors from socializing.

He said this can include “laziness, fear of connecting with others, or inclement weather.”

Henshaw said transportation to social events, such as taking seniors to movie nights or to visit a friend, can be important.

“To me, that’s a huge gap because often, you know, you get transportation to your medical appointment here and there,” she said. “But in the end of the day, that’s not really all that life is, you know. It’s important that seniors can take advantage of things in life that gives them joy.”