Our Community
Our Community
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Oakwood Vaughan Oasis for Healthy Aging
Provides a place where seniors can meet, make new friends and have fun
Offers programs that foster healthy aging
Seeks to combat social isolation experienced by many older adults
Gives older adults an opportunity to actively engage in community life
Some ways that we Foster Community
Planned and spontaneous activities
Community Meals – organized on a monthly basis
Drop-in space
What is Healthy Aging In Community?
What is Healthy Aging In Community?
Most older adults share the belief that institutional care is not needed to support the physical changes that come with aging. They express a preference for remaining in their own homes and in a familiar community.
As a member of the Oasis network of 11 communities across the country, Oakwood Vaughan Oasis for Healthy Aging provides dynamic social and educational programs that promote this preference.
This is how the OASIS board describes their approach to aging in community:
The Oasis program is designed to strengthen and sustain healthy communities of older adults by addressing important determinants of healthy aging such as isolation, nutrition, physical fitness, and sense of purpose.
The Oasis research team based at Queen's University engages in ongoing evaluation to study the impact of this program and identify the benefits of this type of community-based approach.
Seniors For Seniors
Seniors For Seniors
Volunteers and Leadership
Volunteers and Leadership
Our program relies on participants carrying out various volunteer roles.
There is a core leadership team that takes on more responsibility for planning and organizing activities. Members with leadership interest and skills are encouraged to attend planning meetings.
Sharing On Site Organization
Sharing On Site Organization
Other members pitch in by performing general tasks that are required to keep the centre open: unlocking doors, making coffee, answering our doorbell, orienting and welcoming new people.
An Open and Active Membership
Everyone who participates regularly in our programs is considered a member. Members are kept up to date through email correspondence, our newsletter and a monthly program calendar.
The programs we offer are free and accessible to all older adults (55+) living in this neighborhood.
Range of Activities
Regular planned activities are organized based on suggestions that come from our members, and skills that members want to share with others. We aim to offer a balanced program that includes informative sessions on healthy aging strategies and accessible exercise classes. Promoting computer literacy is another way we hope to empower older adults.
Program Coordinator
As an OASIS program site, our volunteers have the support of a part-time Program Coordinator.
How Do I Get Involved?
How Do I Get Involved?
The Oakwood Vaughan Community Hub, established in late 2023, comprises three classrooms in the former Vaughan Road Academy, under a head lease to OVCO, from the Toronto District School Board. This is an unprecedented arrangement for community use of school space in Toronto.
The Oakwood Vaughan Community Organization (OVCO) forged two key partnerships to make the Hub viable: The Reena organization and the Learning Enrichment Foundation.
About the partner organizations
About the partner organizations
OVCO is a resident-led, non-profit community organization bringing community members together to advocate for an inclusive and healthy neighbourhood.
Reena, a 50-year-old social services agency, provides a variety of support services, including affordable housing models with integrated supports and programming for neuro-diverse individuals.
The Learning Enrichment Foundation has provided community services support in West Toronto for more than 40 years, through immigrant and newcomer services, child care, employment services and LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) classes. LEF has provided child care in the former Vaughan Road Academy for more than 25 years.
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