Century House wants to help ensure New Westminster is able to meet of the needs of its growing seniors’ population — today and in the years to come.
The Time for Change group, which formed in 2023/24, presents speakers and workshops focused on showing seniors how they can participate in advocating for change on issues that affect their daily lives. A Century House notice said the T4C group aims to help seniors develop the appropriate advocacy skills to effectively participate in the changes necessary to ensure they’re not left behind.
Last year, the T4C group organized and presented a series of speakers and workshops. Those included a documentary filmmaker, a 92-year-old social activist, an afternoon with the first BC Seniors Advocate (Isobel Mackenzie), and a town hall on the unaffordable housing crisis.
The Time for Change group has announced two events for this year — with more to come.
The first event, taking place on Friday, April 4, includes a visit from the new BC Seniors Advocate, Dan Levitt, and an overview of the city’s age-friendly strategy. People can attend in person at Century House or via Zoom.
Levitt has served as the province’s seniors advocate since March 2024; he will talk about what he has learned and where he wants his office to go in the future.
Levitt, who is tasked with keeping seniors-related issues front and centre with the public and the provincial government, has extensive experience in the areas of senior-living, long-term care homes as well as innovations related to living with dementia, said the notice.
The second hour of the April 4 event will feature an overview of the City of New Westminster’s age-friendly strategy, which involves planning for the future needs associated with an aging population.
“Statistics indicate that between 2016 and 2041, in New Westminster, [the] 50+ demographic will increase by 80 per cent and those 65+ will increase by 127 per cent,” said the notice. “This presentation will also include a panel discussion offering different perspectives on the issue, followed by input from the audience.”
Everyone is welcome to attend the event, which takes place at 2 p.m. in the ABC room at Century House, 620 Eighth St. To attend, register at the Century House front desk or call 604-519-1066.
The Time for Change group is also sponsoring a safe city town hall during Seniors Week in June. More details to come.
The T4C group, which is a partnership consisting of Century House members, city social planners, and city staff from Century House, currently consists of CH members Val MacDonald, Carole Wiley, Bill Harper, John Flynn, and Curt Albertson. City staff involved in the group include John Stark, Anur Mehic, Mariam Larson, Erica Mark, and Hannah Glavin.
