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The Older Adult Centres' Association
of Ontario, which was founded in 1973, is an incorporated
non-profit provincial organization and a registered
charity. The OACAO is funded entirely through membership
fees, business partnerships, educational training ventures,
management of special projects and various revenue generating
initiatives.
Mission Statement
OACAO provides resources, expertise
and leadership for older adult centres and seniors groups
through advocacy, education, networking and innovative
direction.
Membership
The OACAO has a membership of 126
centres, organizations and individuals involved in working
with older adults representing over 300 staff and 150,000
older adults across Ontario.
Goals
- To promote the development of skills
and knowledge among volunteers and staff
- To undertake and participate in action
and deliberations related to improving the quality
of life of older adults in Ontario
- To encourage the development and establishment
of new Older Adult Multi-Service Centre by interaction
with the community, governments and peer organizations
- To unify the efforts towards the development
of comprehensive programs and services for older adults
- To ensure that older adults in Ontario
have opportunities and choices that lead to healthy
and active lifestyles.
We Provide
- Ongoing liaison and advocacy with
government and other provincial associations in matters
which affect older adult centres and older adults
- Education programs for members through
workshops
- A Newsletter which promotes the exchange
of information and ideas among the members
- An Annual Provincial Conference with
speakers, workshops and resources
- Facilitation of inter - Centre visits
- Valuable networking with others who
work in older adult centres
- Older Adult Centre Standards
- Resource material and a resource library
- Email List Serve program that
provides up to the minute information
On Going Projects
- Research "Building Bridges to
Tomorrow" project (Trillium grant)
- Advocacy
- Professional Development
- Publications in the field of aging
- Educational programs
- Membership Profile
- Information and Active Living
Fairs
A Centre is . . .
A community facility that
provides a diversity of activities and services in response
to the needs of local older adult population.
History
The Association was first organized
in 1973 as the Senior Citizens Centres' Association
of Ontario (SCCAO) based on the common concerns of those
working in Seniors' Centres. In 1982, the Association
was incorporated under the name of the Older Adult Centres'
Association of Ontario as a not for profit corporation
with Charitable Status.
The OACAO is extremely proud to
have started the Ontario Senior Games program in Ontario
in 1983 and to have been directly affiliated with the
OSGA until 1995 when the OSGA established their own
office. Older Adult Centres in Ontario are active in
the senior games program through the promotion, development
and operation of senior games events.
Board Information
The OACAO Board of Directors provides
direction and support to staff and volunteers who are
responsible for the day to day operation of the organization
and the development and implementation of a variety
of initiatives and projects that reflect the mission,
goals and objectives of the association. The Board of
Directors meets 3 times per year.
The Board is composed of an Executive
of 7 members, elected at the Annual Meeting of the Association,
16 Regional Representatives, elected at the Annual Meeting
of each Region and the Chairpersons of the Standing
Committees.
The Association divides the province
into 8 regions, with 2 representatives from each region,
a staff member and a senior, being elected from the
region to sit on the Board of Directors. The role of
the Regional Representative is to be a liaison between
the Board and the region, to develop training and education
programs in the region and to play an active role in
maintaining existing members and soliciting new members.
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