Based on the success of the third Facilitating Independence grant program in 2025, SSM has again worked with the Government of Saskatchewan (Ministry of Health) to provide one-time funding for micro-grants/seed money to senior-serving organizations, community groups, or other interested organizations to develop/pilot new approaches for providing supportive services to seniors.
These grants for Facilitating Independence have now all been disbursed.
For full details, please click here.
Success Story!
Building Connections: How FIG Funding Is Strengthening Strasbourg
When the Facilitating Independence Grants (FIG) program first launched in Strasbourg, the vision was clear: help older adults stay active, connected, and confident in their ability to live independently. Thanks to FIG support, that goal is being achieved every day through the work of the Strasbourg Age Friendly Recreation Board—and the results are remarkable.
The range of programs now available is impressive. The Taxi Program makes transportation affordable and reliable, ensuring seniors can reach medical appointments, shopping, and community events with ease. Wellness Clinics provide footcare, routine health monitoring, and information sessions that help seniors stay active, safe, and informed. Additional supports—such as snow shoveling, handyman services, Meals on Wheels, and window cleaning—allow older adults to remain comfortably in their own homes and maintain independence.
What makes the FIG grant especially impactful is how seamlessly it aligns with broader community initiatives, including Age Friendly and Social Prescribing efforts in the region. Together, these programs create a coordinated network that supports physical, emotional, and social well-being. FIG-funded programming strengthens Age Friendly goals by reducing isolation, improving accessibility, and ensuring seniors have opportunities to connect, participate, and thrive.
As one participant, Margaret, shared: “I used to stay home most days because I didn’t know where to go or who to ask for help. Now I have people checking in, classes I look forward to, and a reason to get out. It’s changed my whole routine.”
Volunteer Strength and Community Impact
At the heart of it all are the volunteers—about 20 strong—who make the programs run. Many are seniors themselves, giving back to the community while benefiting from the services. “They’re living proof of how valuable these programs are,” says Scholefield. “Their passion and generosity are what keep everything going.”
The results speak for themselves. More than 300 older adults have already benefited, with 100–150 participating each month. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive: seniors say they feel healthier, less isolated, and more confident about remaining in their own homes.
Of course, challenges remain. With growing demand, the Board is always seeking additional volunteers and working to secure sustainable funding. But the vision is clear: to keep seniors not only safe, but thriving—body, mind, and spirit.
A Community Where Aging Is Celebrated
In Strasbourg, aging isn’t seen as an obstacle—it’s embraced as another season of life worth celebrating. Thanks to the Age Friendly program, strengthened by FIG funding, seniors here don’t just get by; they flourish, surrounded by care, community, and connection.
Based on the success of the second Facilitating Independence grant program in 2024, SSM has again worked with the Government of Saskatchewan (Ministry of Health) to provide one-time funding for micro-grants/seed money to senior-serving organizations, community groups, or other interested organizations to develop/pilot new approaches for providing supportive services to seniors.
These grants for Facilitating Independence have now all been disbursed.
For full details, please click here.
Based on the success of the first FIG grant program in 2023, SSM has again worked with the Government of Saskatchewan (Ministry of Health) to provide one-time funding for micro-grants/seed money to senior-serving organizations, community groups, or other interested organizations to develop/pilot new approaches for providing supportive services to seniors.
These grants for Facilitating Independence have now all been disbursed.
For full details, please click here.
The first FIG grant program in 2023 was successful. SSM worked with the Government of Saskatchewan (Ministry of Health) to provide one-time funding for micro-grants/seed money to senior-serving organizations, community groups, or other interested organizations to develop/pilot new approaches for providing supportive services to seniors.
These grants for Facilitating Independence have now all been disbursed.
For full details, please click here.