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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-24-91 .--,:r°"...,,,_) TOWN OF NEWCASTLE t ' ! , St ,,) .,;)/\ R. , .. REPORT File # ry. , Res. # 'r :":4=±4 By-Law # GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION FITTING: June 17, 1991 DATE: . CS-24-91 REPORT #: FILE #: SIBICT: GOOD NEIGHBOURS - STATUS REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose & Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:- 1. That Report No. CS-24-91 be received for information. 1.0 BACKGROUND: 1. 1 At the October 29, 1990 meeting, the Council for the Corporation of the Town of Newcastle passed the following resolution (File 10 .2 . 11) : "THAT the correspondence dated October 24, 1990 from Roxy Barnes, Administrator, Community Care with respect to the "Good Neighbour" Campaign be received; THAT the delegation of Dr. Elizabeth Thursen be acknowledged; THAT the Council of the Town of Newcastle endorse the Good Neighbour Project and support Community Care as the lead agency and pledge the Town's co-operation in working with them in this program; and THAT Roxy Barnes and Dr. Elizabeth Thursen be advised of Council 's decision. " . . /2 ; REPORT NO. CS-24-91 - 2 - JUNE 17, 1991 1.2 Further to this resolution, a Good Neighbours Committee has been established and consists of representatives from various community organizations and agencies including Bowmanville Memorial Hospital, Newcastle Community Care, Newcastle Library and the Bowmanville Museum. The corporate sponsors of this activity include the Royal Bank of Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart and the Provincial Office for Senior Citizens ' Affairs . 1. 3 The Town of Newcastle has been involved in the work of this Committee since its beginning with Jennifer Cooke, Program/ Community Relations Superintendent, representing the Community Services Department. Jennifer's role with this group is as an advisor/liaison with this organization. Andrea Adair, of the Canadian Statesman, is the designated media representative. 2 .0 WHAT IS THE GOOD NEIGHBOUR PROGRAM? 2 . 1 The idea for Good Neighbours came from the Office for Senior Citizens ' Affairs and Seniors/General Public Advisory Committee. The intention of this project is to promote and encourage the development of a community-based concept of people helping people. It is recognized that there are many organizations and agencies providing formalized services to Seniors but, through consultation with representatives from around Ontario, it was determined that there is often a lack of community-based networks (community "safety net" ) to which Seniors can turn for occasional, informal assistance. In short, the Good Neighbour Program is a community awareness initiative targeted for implementation in communities throughout the Province. 2 .2 By definition a Good Neighbour is anyone concerned about making our community an even friendlier, safer and more . . /3 REPORT NO. CS-24-91 - 3- JUNE 17, 1991 responsive place to live. The following objectives have been established to guide the implementation of this program. 1. To generate community awareness and promote the concept of Good Neighbours; 2 . To build upon the community's existing good will; 3. To motivate personal responses to the Good Neighbours ' slogan of "Take Time to Reach Out"; 4 . To encourage ideas and responses that help individuals to live independently in their communities. 2 . 3 Good Neighbours does not necessarily involve a long-term commitment and it is not restricted to any one age group. Aside from the assistance that the "younger generation" can provide, a Good Neighbour could also be an older person becomes involved in activities that provide "safety nets" for their peers. 3 .0 GOOD NEIGHBOURS IN THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE: 3. 1 Council was invited by the Good Neighbours Committee to participate in the launch reception for this program held Friday May 31, 1991 at the Bowmanville Museum. The community, as well as representatives of the Provincial Government and corporate sponsors, were also invited to attend and participate. 3.2 The Committee, with the co-operation of the Canadian Statesman, asked the community to submit the names of people they feel represent the idea of a Good Neighbour. The intention was to recognize these individuals at the launch and to encourage the ongoing recognition of these individuals and others throughout the year. 3 . 3 In order to assist the Committee, the Community Services Department provided display space in the lobby of the . . /4 C9 REPORT NO. CS-24-91 - 4- JUNE 17, 1991 Municipal Administration Centre for this group to use the week of May 27, 1991. Representatives of the Committee (sporting the Good Neighbours sweatshirt) participated in the PARTICIPaction Challenge Day Walk-A-Block event. 4 . 0 SUMMARY: 4 . 1 The Good Neighbours program is a worthwhile initiative that will provide the senior residents of the Town of Newcastle with an ongoing community-wide service. It is hoped that the Council of the Town of Newcastle will continue to support and participate in the activities of this program and the Committee in the future. Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation to the Committee, A41 / *Aid Josee P. Caruana, Director La"wrenc= I Kotseff Department of Community Services Chief linistrative Officer JPC:JJC:sa "11 0