Friday, July 16, 2010 Literacy program soldiers on despite cuts in hours, students.
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ary Annivers 1985-2010
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Seniors
New life for local outreach
OUTDOORS ❚ Might as well jump
Last year, Fraser Health gutted funding for a program that helped seniors find independence. After a consultation process, a revamped support program is being launched.
home support. The differences are it’s a community-driven project. It came from the community. The year after Fraser Health cut all funders are different.” The in-home support is designed funding to a seniors outreach to support seniors to stay in their program another similar homes. Seniors will be charged a program has been announced that fee-for-service based on income on will include enhanced funding and a sliding scale. services. “We’ve had a really great response Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows from seniors who are calling us Community Services will receive once they’re hearing about the $112,500 for the first year of service,” she said. an 18-month pilot project to Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows provide housekeeping services, Community Services managed to in-home laundry, handyman keep offering a seniors outreach service, transportation for medical program, despite reduced staffing appointments levels, after Fraser and shopping and volunteer visits. The “To be able to maintain services Health cut funding. Groups stepped up Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport and in the community that’s needed, it’s with grants and a fundraiser was held. just such a gift.” the United Way will However, Leginus provide joint funding Joanne Leginus said the organization for the pilot. will be able to hire Joanne Leginus, more staff again and program director of offer more services. seniors services at the organization, “To be able to maintain services said funding was announced after in the community that’s needed, stakeholder meetings. “The community spoke as to what it’s just such a gift,” said Leginus. services do we need in Maple Ridge “Seniors have told us that it has increased their accessibility to the and Pitt Meadows. What are gaps community. It has helped them to in services that you see,” she said. feel safer in their home because, for “A lot of the services that were example, the handyman (service). identified were very similar to It has enabled them to get to their the program we provided before: doctor because of transportation so the transportation, the handyman they are basically able to enjoy their plus there was an overwhelming independence.” response that seniors needed in-
by Amy Steele
asteele@mrtimes.com
A
Inmate charged with attempted murder
An inmate at Fraser Regional Correctional Centre has been charged with attempted murder after severely injuring another inmate on May 19, 2010. Alexander Tanasescu, 27, is charged with attempting to kill a 36-year-old inmate. Marnie Mayhew, spokesperson for B.C. Corrections, said the victim is still in hospital almost two months after the attack. Mayhew said the corrections branch has completed its own internal investigation. “Our own internal review found that staff responded properly and appropriately and followed required procedures,” she said.
Jamie Thomson, four, and Emily Pikul, eight, frolicked in the sprinklers at Maple Ridge Park. Warm weather is expected to continue through the weekend. Troy Landreville/TIMES
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