411 Dunsmuir St. Vancouver, BC V6B 1X4 Phone: (604) 684-8171 Fax: (604) 681-3589

History of the Seniors Advocacy Project

Chronology

2001    The Seniors Health and Housing Coalition, a group of seniors and seniors’ organizations, began a process to build advocacy in the province of BC.     

2003    A Steering Committee is formed to provide oversight responsibility for the process and the 411 Seniors Centre is appointed as the administrator for any funding projects received by the Committee.

2003    Phase one of the Seniors Advocacy Project was launched with funding from Health Canada. Phase One focused on researching the need for seniors’ advocacy. The full report can be found here. 
(Special Projects > Special Project Archives > Seniors Advocacy Project)

2004    Phase two of the Seniors Advocacy Project focused on training and was funded by the Vancouver Foundation, the VanCity Foundation and 411 Seniors Centre. During this phase, self, peer and systemic advocacy training modules were developed. At this time, the training modules were         translated into Spanish, Vietnamese, and Punjabi. 

2006    The Coalition adopts the new name, BC Seniors Advocacy Network.

2006    Phase III of the Seniors Advocacy Project, funded by a New Horizon’s grant, focuses on using the translated training materials to provide training to three ethno-cultural groups.

2006    A resolution supporting the set-up of Regional Seniors Advocacy Offices is endorsed by the Union of B.C. Municipalities at their convention and is supported by all municipalities.

2007    Funding from the Vancouver Foundation allows for the expansion of the BC SAN throughout the province to train Trainers. Fifty new advocates are added to the network.

 2008   City of Vancouver and the United Way Lower Mainland provide funding to develop the network in the Lower Mainland into the Lower Fraser Valley.