Spotlight feature:
FORMER SPOTLIGHTS:
Revisiting the past
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Pat Roberts Story published in Jan. 7/03 issue	Jake Wiebe Story published in Apr. 21/03 issue	Helve Dawson Story published in Aug. 25/03 issue

Pat Roberts

We first interviewed Pat Roberts in January, 2003 at the Springhill Winter Park where she was enjoying a day of downhill skiing... at the age of 75! Now if that isn’t surprising enough, when we spoke to Pat today, she is planning a trip to Asessippi Winter Park, Ski Area & Resort for a few days of skiing... at the age of 82! Actually, she’ll be 83 on April 1st. She jokingly says she’s an April Fool.

Pat has a membership with Asessippi and is contemplating joining for another year. She still doesn’t worry about breaking bones knowing it can happen just walking down the street. How can anyone not be inspired by this amazing lady?

All through her life, Pat has been athletically active, but not competitive until she entered the MSOS Games which qualified her for the nationals. She had won three gold medals at the 2002 Canada Senior Games in P.E.I. for swimming. She plans to compete in the provincials in Killarney this summer at the MSOS Games again. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll get to compete at the 2010 Canada Senior Games in Brockville, Ontario, and that wouldn’t really be a surprise if she did. She hasn’t missed one yet.

Pat also participated in golf and bowling, and still bowls today. She belongs to a women’s bowling league that bowls at Rossmere Lanes on Henderson Hwy in Winnipeg, and this year marks the league’s 50th year. Pat is making arrangements for a bowling banquet to celebrate that milestone.

And if Pat isn’t participating in sports, she’s watching them. She glued herself in front of her television during the whole Olympics, not going out at all, for fear of missing something.

And if Pat isn’t participating in sports or watching them, she might be singing or dancing, if she can find a partner who can keep up.

Pat has had a very busy life. She belonged to two female quartet groups—Generation Gap and The 4 of Hearts. Now, she just sings with the Sweet Adelines, this year being her 53rd consecutive year with them.

Pat firmly believes that age is only a number. She shovels her driveway right down to the pavement and she feels fit enough despite what others think. She even put up her own Christmas lights.

Pat’s husband passed away just last December and she does find it lonely at times but she is coping and going out and doing things. She has one daughter who doesn’t live as close to Pat as she’d like, but she has great neighbours and hopes to stay put for as long as possible.

Jake Wiebe

Jake was our ‘Spotlight’ in the April 21, 2003 issue of Senior Scope. At that time, he was 80 years old. Selma Pauls, a friend of Jake, brought him to our attention as he was being recognized for his 1000th blanket that he sewed for relief in countries all over the world. Jake actually had 1100 blankets completed when we first interviewed him in 2003 and his goal was to make 2000.

We called up Jake, recently, to see if he was near to accomplishing his goal of 2000 blankets. And now at 87, he is well on his way, although he admits it’s taking a little longer these days for various reasons. But he is up to 1850. In total, he estimates that it will take him 14 years to complete all 2000 blankets, with a couple more years to go.

Singing in two choirs also keeps Jake quite occupied. One of the choirs recently sang at the Grant Memorial Church on Waverley Street in Winnipeg.

Jake retired from the Ministry, at the age of 65. He started his career at the age of 26 teaching Bible School and continued this for 15 years. At 47, Jake started Ministering in Alberta, working his way eastward to Saskatchewan, and then on to Selkirk, Manitoba where he ministered for five years. Jake served as a Chaplain in Selkirk for the elderly in nursing homes and senior complexes, and then in the multi-purpose room of the building he currently lives in.

Jake was inspired to start his new hobby by a fellow whom he saw while at the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) on Plaza Drive, after moving to Winnipeg. The man was carrying blankets that he sewed to be shipped overseas and Jake decided, then, that he wanted to do the same.

After learning how to sew from a master close to his heart, his wife, Helen, who is a very talented quilter, he started his mission.

Jake has a three-layer blanket for the colder countries such as the Ukraine, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His double-layer blankets are suitable for the warmer-climate countries such as Africa. He prefers to use a good quality, non-stretch cotton, and flannelette for the backing. Until around 2002-2003, Jake used his own money to purchase the flannelette spending approximately $700-$900 each year since he started.

The blankets Jake sews are first shipped by the Mennonite Central Committee to the Plum Coulee Centre in Manitoba along with other blankets and supplies from British Columbia, Ontario and other places in Manitoba. From there, their journey continues by truck to Montreal and then by ship to various locations around the world.

With his blankets, Jake is still ‘warming’ people, and hearts, making a ‘world’ of difference.

Helve Dawson

Helve’s story was published in our August 25, 2003 issue of Senior Scope. She said then that laughter is important. So we called her up to see if she is still laughing. And she says, “Yes, it keeps me going.”

It wasn’t too surprising to find out that she is still working out 5 days a week in her building’s exercise room. She used to work out at the Reh-Fit Centre 3 times a week, so it seems she’s working even harder than before.

Helve damaged her knees from downhill skiing as a young woman in her twenties, but it wasn’t until in her later years that it became a problem for her. She had to have knee replacements so she began to prepare for surgery by strengthening her knees. After the surgeries on both knees, Helve underwent excruciating physiotherapy at the Victoria Hospital and is happy she did because she was able to resume her busy schedule, virtually pain free, once she recovered. She started volunteering in that same department helping others go through the same anxieties and fears as she once did. She enjoys giving moral support to those experiencing what she has already gone through. She reasons that if she can recover at her age, anybody can. She gives them hope and brightens their day with her sense of humour. It’s very rewarding to Helve to be able to help others who sometimes feel that there is no hope, especially when she sees their progress a week later during her next volunteer session in the physio department.

Helve recognizes that seniors in homes aren’t getting enough exercise. “They need to move around. It’s important. At my age, I feel very good,” states Helve.

What’s most impressive about Helve is that at the age of 78, she competed on an all-women team, called the Gifted Dragon Ladies, at the 2003 Canadian Cancer Society Manitoba Dragon Boat Festival, with some women one-fourth her age! That was Helve’s fourth year of paddling a 500 metre course with this team. Her goal was to paddle a total of six years, which she did, bringing her to the age of 80. That must be a record!

Helve used to paddle on a team that the Kinsmen Reh-Fit Centre on Taylor Avenue in Winnipeg used to sponsor. When the team needed a new sponsor, the Manitoba Transplant Program got involved and recruited a few of their own paddlers, some of whom are organ and tissue transplant recipients. Helve, with her knee replacements, fit right in with the new team ensemble.

The only health challenge Helve faced, prior to her knee replacements, was having thyroid cancer over 37 years ago, but after surgery, she made a full recovery.

Just last year, however, Helve was experiencing some heart trouble, and she needed to get a pacemaker. Her husband is suffering from Alzheimers, as well, so Helve has been dealing with some stress of her own.

Helve takes it all in stride and handles her problems admirably. She still loves to paint. Taking lessons at the Riverview Community Centre, and her cat, Felix, keep her busy. And she still has her sense of humour to pick herself up after a trying day.

(Read more in the Mar 2-22 /2010 issue of Senior Scope)

March is Fraud Prevention Month

Canadians continue to be the target of a variety scams, and despite how long some of these schemes have been around there is always another victim willing to part with their money.

Regardless of the type of scam, whether it be an Employment Scam, Advance loan fee scheme, Online Auction Fraud, Overpayment scam, West African Letter Fraud, or the Lottery scam to name a few, they all work the same way. The opportunity presented by the suspect is always ‘too good to be true’ and greed over rides common sense. Victims are convinced to cash counterfeit cheques or money orders into their bank accounts and send real money by Western Union or Moneygram to the fraudster. Occasionally the victim’s are instructed to transfer the funds from their bank account to an account in another country set up through identity theft. The suspect is never who he claims to be and the money is collected somewhere other than the address he provides. When the cheque doesn’t clear the victim is left holding the bag and will be held liable for reimbursement.

Education and awareness has proven to be a valuable tool in fraud prevention. If you’ve been the target of fraud share your story with family and friends. Warn others about how they can protect themselves by talking about that suspicious phone call you received, or the email stating you’ve won the lottery. Visit websites such as phonebusters.com or rcmp.ca for the latest scams and how they lure victims into parting with their money. By educating yourself and sharing your knowledge you will have done your part in fraud prevention. Recognize it, Report it, Stop it!

Cst. Ben Doiron
Winnipeg RCMP
Commercial Crime Section

(Read more in the Mar 2-22 /2010 issue of Senior Scope)

CAPTURING OPPORTUNITIES AWARDS CELEBRATE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, ACHIEVEMENTS,
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS: STRUTHERS
Nominations Now Being Accepted For 2010 Awards

Capturing Opportunities, Manitoba's rural business forum, will honour the achievements of volunteers and corporate partnerships that benefit Manitoba's rural communities in April, Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan Struthers announced today.

"Manitobans know who the movers and shakers are in their communities, the go-to people who can be counted on to get things done and which companies offer support to community activities," said the minister. "These are the people and companies who create the success stories that benefit our rural and northern communities. This will be the opportunity to give them the official recognition they so richly deserve."

The annual Capturing Opportunities forum will take place at the Keystone Centre in Brandon on April 22 and 23. Capturing Opportunities awards are presented at the celebration banquet at the Keystone Centre on Thursday, April 22.

Nominations are now being accepted for the four award categories:

- Outstanding Community Leadership – for individuals who have made significant and notable contributions for the betterment of their community or region, who have served as a catalyst for positive action and exhibit the highest standards of community leadership, dedication, ability and innovation.

- Economic Development Innovation – for organizations or municipalities whose actions illustrate innovation in community development, build on the resources of the community, respond to challenges and opportunities, and demonstrate outcomes in rural economic development.

- Rural Youth Achievement – for individuals, associations or municipalities whose activities enable youth to take action on their concerns.

- Economic Development Innovation Corporate – for businesses whose corporate actions illustrate innovation in community economic development through co-operation with community partners, build on the resources of the community, respond to changes, challenges and/or opportunities, and demonstrate outcomes in rural economic development.

Award winners will receive a commemorative artistic glass award and $1,000 to contribute to a community organization of their choice.

"Our province is proud to recognize the hard work and dedication of community participants of all ages and from all walks of life, organizations, municipalities and businesses that use their leadership, communication and organizational skills, energy and enthusiasm to bring about the positive changes that make their communities and regions a better place to live and work," said Struthers.

Nomination forms are available at any GO office, by contacting the Capturing Opportunities office at 1-800-933-9863 or online at www.capturingopportunities.ca.
Nominations will be accepted until noon on Thursday, April 1.

(Read more in the Mar 2-22 /2010 issue of Senior Scope)

Are you aware of the fact that taxes and probate fees* could reduce the value of your estate by up to half? While Canada does not impose death or inheritance taxes, generally your capital assets are considered to have been sold upon your death unless you leave these assets to a surviving spouse on a “rollover basis”.

The income tax implications of this deemed disposition can be severe, and depending on your beneficiary designations and the province in which you reside, probate fees may be assessed on your estate to further erode your legacy.

Life insurance, often viewed solely to provide for dependents in the event of an untimely death, can provide an effective way of preserving your wealth for the benefit of your heirs.

Just what is taxable upon death?

Virtually any asset upon which taxes have been deferred will be subject to tax upon your death. This includes the full value of your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), as well as half of the gain on any non-registered assets, including recreational property.

The tax implications on these deemed dispositions can be significant. For example, if the cottage you purchased 30 years ago for $50,000 has appreciated in value to $250,000, upon your death, your estate could face a tax bill of approximately $45,000 on the cottage alone. An RRSP or RRIF containing $300,000 of assets would also be taken entirely continued on next page into income. The result? It too could be cut almost in half once it’s taxed.

In jurisdictions with relatively high probate fees, such as Ontario, Nova Scotia and British Columbia, these fees can further reduce your estate by thousands of dollars.

Delaying the inevitable

Canadians can bequeath capital property directly to their spouse or common-law partner – with no immediate tax consequences. The proceeds of registered plans can also be ‘rolled over’ to a surviving spouse or common-law partner and remain sheltered from tax. As a result, many tax liabilities can be deferred until the death of the surviving spouse or common-law partner.

Example of a typical situation...

Click on image for larger view

Unless the surviving spouse or common-law partner enters into a new relationship, the tax deferral ordinarily comes to an end upon his or her death. In these circumstances, estate assets may have to be sold in order to pay long-deferred taxes.

While selling assets to pay taxes is an option, it may not always be an ideal solution. Unfavourable market conditions could force the sale of assets at depressed prices, limiting the proceeds available to your estate. Transaction costs incurred upon these sales could further reduce these proceeds.

Finally, some assets cannot easily be sold. For example, it is not feasible to sell off only a portion of your cottage to cover taxes. This could put someone in the unenviable position of having to raise large amounts of cash if they hope to retain the property they inherit.

Another option

Rather than selling assets or borrowing cash to pay fees and taxes, consider purchasing a joint second-
to-die life insurance policy to preserve your estate.

These policies insure the lives of both spouses, with proceeds payable upon the death of the surviving spouse. The proceeds can then be applied to cover your estate’s tax liabilities and other debts, thereby leaving your legacy intact for distribution to your heirs.

For a more thorough understanding of what lies ahead for your estate, talk with us today.

*Probate fees are often not applicable in Quebec. And when they are, the fee isn’t based on the value of the Estate.
________________________________________

BRIAN G. KONRAD CFP
Financial Consultant
brian.konrad2@investorsgroup.com
(204) 489-4640 ext. 246
100-1345 WAVERLEY STREET
WINNIPEG, MB R3T 5Y6
1-888-205-4828
www.investorsgroup.com/consult/brian.konrad

Stephanie Graham
(204) 489-4640 ext. 267

This report specifically written and published by Investors Group is presented as a general source of information only, and is not intended as a solicitation to buy or sell specific investments, nor is it intended to provide legal advice. Prospective investors should review the annual report, simplified prospectus, and annual information form of any fund carefully before making an investment decision. Clients should discuss their situation with their Consultant for advice based on their specific circumstances. Insurance products and services offered through I.G. Insurance Services Inc. (in Quebec, a financial services firm). Insurance license sponsored by The Great-West Life Assurance Company (outside of Quebec).
™Trademark owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations.
“You may have a tax time bomb ticking and not even know it”
©2007 Investors Group Inc. Investors Group Financial Services Inc.

(Read more in the Mar 2-22 /2010 issue of Senior Scope)

William J. Thomas

The Dominican Republic – A Spanish Lesson Lost in Translation

I used to vacation in the Dominican Republic where the weather was grand and the people fantastic, the friendliest in the Caribbean. It’s an island where music is the language of locals and stress does not exist. The national motto of the Dominion Republic is “Live Free, or One, Two, Three – Merengue!”

All problems in the DR are solved by dancing. On a bad day, this lush and sea swept nation is one big conga line from Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo. After three memorable trips to this country, I have created a Q & A Spanish language course highlighting the most common phrases a visitor to this island might need.

Buenos dias means “good morning,” por favor means “please,” and gracias means “thank you.” El camion esta respaldar encima tu equipaje means “el truck has jess backed ojer your luggage.”

Question: Por que? Translation: But why? Answer: No se. No se means “I don’t know.” But more than any other phrase in the Dominican Republic, no se has a multitude of non-literal existential meanings. In this specific case, it translates: “I have no !@#%*! idea.”

Question: Why are those guys throwing the luggage over the closed tailgate of the truck and bouncing the bags off the roof of the cab before they fall to the floor? Answer: No se. Translation: Luggage tossing, or the Samsonite Hammer, is a demonstration sport in the 2012 London Olympics.

Question: You call that a luggage truck? Answer: Si. Translation: You’re lucky Wednesday is not garbage day in the Dominican Republic; otherwise that truck wouldn’t be available at all, Mr. Smarty Pants.

Meanwhile, back at the hotel and six hours later, a question: Where is my luggage that el truck hass backed ojer? Answer: No se. Translation: We are working on the theory that a Señora G. Tomaso over at the Jack Tar Village has been delivered your bag by accident.

Question: Do you think she’ll give my luggage back? Answer: No se. Translation: This woman is so souped up on duty free liquor, she is now playing catch against a wall with your ball and glove, wearing only your Cleveland Indians cut-offs, and we can’t get near her.

Question: How come I have two refrigerators in my room but no dresser for my clothes? Answer: No se. Translation: Look, we are kind of new at this. Up until twenty years ago, we were able to keep pleasure-seeking cheapskates like yourself out of our country. So we still have a few wrinkles to iron out. Relax. Tomorrow, it will be very hot. Put your clothes in your refrigerators overnight. One, two ….

Question: How come every day three guys come to my door to check the “Bar-in-Your-Room, Fully Stocked for Your Convenience” refrigerator to see what I’ve used, and every day I tell them I can’t use it because I don’t have the key to open it, and every day they say they’re coming back with the key, but all they ever come back with is the question of how much did I use from the refrigerator. How come? Answer: Por que is always a better way to begin a sentence than “how come.” Translation: I told you. Relax. Sit back. Put your feet up. Chill out. Have a drink from the “Bar-in-Your-Room, Fully Stocked for Your Convenience”
refrigerator. One, two, three ….

Question: Is the tap water okay to drink? Answer: Si. Translation: How much did you have and when? Answer: Two glasses, two minutes ago. Order: Quito el passillo, muy pronto. Translation: Clear the lobby, Pedro, this could get ugly fast!

I couldn’t help but notice what with the daily power failures and the daily water shortages that you can’t shower, read, flush a toilet, or keep your clothes cold in the refrigerator. Question: What am I supposed to do? Answer: Merengue! Clarification? Answer: Merengue … one, two, three meringue … it’s our musica, our costumbre … it’s one, two, three meringue!

Question: How come fifty souvenir shops in a row all sell exactly the same merchandise? Answer: No se. Translation: How do you say in your country, Wal-Marta?

Question: Can you get someone to fix my refrigerator? Answer: Es tu loco? Translation: If we could find people to fix refrigerators, do you think we would still be using those circling donkeys down at the power plant?

I saw a steel manufacturing plant near the airport. Question: What do they make there? Answer: No se. Translation: It’s closed down now but they used to make baseball gloves for George Bell.

Question: Why was it George could not catch a baseball? Answer: Su madre. Translation: My uncle is from San Pedro de Macoris and he knows George’s mother. She also could not catch a baseball.

Statement: Last night we were having drinks on my balcony and a beautiful orange and yellow bird flew low over the table and pooped in my glass of Scotch. Reply: Como terrible! Translation: You’re lucky you weren’t having dinner.

Question: Are we having some kind of fun or what? Answer: One, two, three meringue … hey! hey! hey! … one, two, three meringue!

_____________________

William J. Thomas lives on Sunset Bay in Wainfleet, Ont. He is the author of seven books of humour, including The Dog Rules Damn Near Everything (Damn Near Everything!). www.williamthomas.ca

(Read more in the Mar 2-22 /2010 issue of Senior Scope)

Excerpts from the
Manitoba Book of Everything

(MacIntyre Purcell Publishing Inc., 2008),
available at most Manitoba bookstores
and online at www.bookofeverything.com
Authors: Christine Hanlon (Dec. 31/64),
Barbara Edie (Aug. 22/64) and
Doreen Pendgracs (May 23/56)

Weather and Climate

Sylvia Kuzyk’s Five Most Memorable Weather Events

Sylvia Kuzyk has been a part of the CTV News team for more than 30 years and started her career at CTV as a weather anchor. She currently co-hosts CTV News at Noon, and is a CTV Skywatch Weather Specialist. One of Canada’s first women in broadcasting, she is also one of Manitoba’s most familiar faces.

1. The 1997 “Flood of the Century.” My colleagues and I often worked 14-hour days to bring viewers the latest flood coverage.

2. The big snowstorm that preceded the “Flood of the Century.”
It was a long and nasty storm that lasted from April 4th to 7th, and dumped 48 cm of snow over southern Manitoba. Some of us had to be picked up by snowmobile to get in to work.

3. The summer of 2005, one of the wettest on record.
We were starting to feel like ducks.

4. The summer of 2004, the coldest on record.
I encountered a lot of grumpy people that summer ... they just weren’t happy with the chilly forecasts.

5. Standing on Portage and Main doing a live weather hit in December with wind chill values of –40°C.
This was one of my worst weather experiences. Some viewers called to complain that I shouldn’t be standing outside in such cold weather.

Crime and Punishment

Top Five Most Stolen Vehicles
1. Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1990-1994
2. Plymouth Voyager, 1990-1994
3. Dodge Caravan, 1990-1994
4. Chrysler/Dodge Intrepid, 1990-1994
5. Chrysler/Dodge Intrepid, 1995-1999

Jack Templeman’s Five Memorable Events in Manitoba Policing

Jack Templeman retired from the Winnipeg Police Service after 35 years with the St. Boniface and Winnipeg departments. He was essential in organizing the Winnipeg Police Museum, and became the Curator/Historian after his 1994 retirement from active duty. He still holds that position.

Number 1 (of 5) on Jack’s list is:
1. John Krafchenko was a bank robber who killed the manager of the bank in Plum Coulee in 1913 and fled to Winnipeg. He was arrested and detained in the Rupert Station, but escaped with the aid of a crooked lawyer and a police jailer. The City and Provincial governments posted a reward of $10,000 for his capture, which was equal to about 10 years of an average person’s wages. Krafchenko was caught, convicted and executed. The lawyer got three years in prison and was later reinstated to the Bar. The policeman was sentenced to seven years, and was killed in Stony Mountain Penitentiary.

(Read more in the Mar 2-22 /2010 issue of Senior Scope)

Manitoba Network for the Prevention of Abuse of Older Adults
Website: http://mnpaoa.ca/

The Manitoba Network for the Prevention of Abuse of Older Adults (MNPAOA) is a partnership of Manitoba-based organizations united to eradicate abuse of older Manitobans. The Network utilizes the expertise, skill, knowledge, and resolve of its partners to prevent abuse and to restore respect, dignity, independence and security to abused Manitobans. Their partners include:

- Aboriginal Seniors Resource Centre
- Active Living Coalition for Older Adults
- Assiniboine Credit Union
- Addictions Foundation of Manitoba
- Age and Opportunity
- Alzheimer Society of Manitoba
- Brandon Regional Health Authority
- Fort Garry Women's Resource Centre
- Long Term Care Association of Manitoba
- Manitoba Association of Women's Shelters
- Manitoba Bar Association
- Manitoba Gerontological Nurses Association
- Manitoba Metis Federation
- Manitoba Public Trustee
- Manitoba Society of Seniors
- Mental Health Services
- Misericordia Health Centre
- Partners Seeking Solutions With Seniors
- Protection for Persons in Care
- Public Trustee of Manitoba
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Manitoba Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat
- Seniors Resource Network
- Veterans Affairs
- Winnipeg Police Service
- Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

Regional networks are growing throughout Manitoba. The Manitoba Seniors Guide has a wide range of resources for older Manitobans including organizations serving seniors, community resource councils, senior centres, information on financial support, housing and health services. There is a wealth of information on other topics such as community living, resources for newcomers and safety and security.

WOMEN’S SHELTERS
Women’s shelters located throughout Manitoba provide short-term emergency shelter for women of all ages who are abused by their partners.

Provincial-wide Information/Crisis Line: 1-877-977-0007

MANITOBA FARM AND RURAL STRESS LINE
The Manitoba Farm and Rural Stress Line provides support, counselling, information and referrals over the phone to farm families and other rural Manitobans. Counsellors are trained to provide support, referral and ways of coping. They will assist a person to make changes the caller believes to be important and will link with community resources most appropriate to help them with their situation.

For more information, contact:
Toll-free within Manitoba:
1-866-367-3276
E-mail: help@ruralstress.mb.ca
Website: www.ruralstress.ca

SENIORS ABUSE LINE
The Seniors Abuse Line is a confidential information service aimed at providing seniors, family members, professionals, and others with a one-stop information resource on elder abuse. The abuse line staff provide information on community resources and support services that are available throughout Manitoba. An elder abuse consultant is also available to provide education and training, and to assist communities to ensure that services and supports are coordinated and available to abused older persons.
For more information, contact:

Phone: 945-1884
Toll-free: 1-888-896-7183

AGE & OPPORTUNITY
Age & Opportunity provides confidential consultation, assessment, and counseling services to seniors who are suspected victims of abuse experiencing emotional, physical, financial abuse or neglect. Assistance accessing crisis accommodations and legal services, including protection orders, is also provided. The Safe Suite Program provides temporary housing for men and women, 55 years or older who are in need of a safe place to stay due to abuse or neglect and whose needs cannot be effectively met by existing abuse/crisis services. Abuse may be physical, emotional/ psychological, sexual, financial or neglect.

For further information:
Age & Opportunity
200 - 280 Smith Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 1K2
Phone: 956-6440
Fax: 946-5667
E-mail: ovs@ageopportunity.mb.ca
Website: www.ageopportunity.mb.ca

CRISIS ACCOMMODATION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Adults with disabilities who have experienced abuse, or are at risk of abuse and whose abuse-related needs cannot be appropriately or effectively met by the protocols of existing crisis lines can be referred here.

Crisis Accommodation and Supports Crisis Line:
Phone: 788-8687

(Read more in the Jan 25/2010 issue of Senior Scope)