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October 20, 2020
Re: Halifax Pride application to the New Horizons for Seniors Program Dear Selection Committee,
On behalf of the Elderberries, I am pleased to offer this letter of support for the Halifax Pride Society’s application to the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
The Elderberries are a social group for LGBT Nova Scotians aged 50 and older. Monthly events are held at a variety of venues including theatre outings, educational and social events. All events are led by members of the elder community and focus on remaining accessible for all, both financially and physically.
The Elderberries have been long time participants in the Halifax Pride Festival, but since 2017 our collaborations efforts have increased. This has been the result of increased focus on relationship building, a variety of micro-grants offered by Halifax Pride, and the creation of a Halifax Pride Elders Committee. Despite this work, elder attendance at the Halifax Pride Festival remains siloed within elder focused events and elder volunteer participation throughout the community is not what we know it could be. This pattern will continue without a focused strategy receiving ongoing attention from dedicated staff.
The Elderberries support Halifax Pride’s efforts to address social isolation and enhanced volunteerism within 2SLGBTQ+ elder communities. The Elderberries will work with Halifax Pride to execute the projects outlined in their application. We are committed to ensuring that members of the elder community are centred in the project’s visioning and implementation. We believe the multi-faceted approach they are taking through online training, organizational outreach, and intergenerational relationship building will expand elder participation within 2SLGBTQ+ communities and organizations here to serve them. The Elderberries are excited to partner with Halifax Pride and hope they are successful in receiving the funds they will need to make this plan a reality.
Sincerely, Daniel MacKay The Elderberries Society