Boni-Vital Active Communities (BVAC)

Phone: 956-6440
Fax: 946-5667
E-Mail: arts@ageopportunity.mb.ca

Boni-Vital Active Communities (BVAC) promotes healthy active living for older adults (55+) in St. Boniface and St. Vital.  Seniors and many community organizations are working together to encourage active and involved living for older adults.

Who is part of BVAC?
BVAC is a partnership between Age & Opportunity Inc., Centre de Santé, 233-ALLO, Youville Centre, St. Boniface Geriatric Day Hospital, ALCOA, Veterans' Affairs, WRHA, MSOS, City of Winnipeg - Community Services, and the Manitoba Seniors' Directorate.

What is our motto?
“Each One Reach One” is our motto. To live out this motto, we need your support in reaching out to your family, friends, and neighbours.

What are examples of active and involved living?

• walking,
• dancing,
• gardening,
• playing with your grandchildren,
• volunteer activities,
• and so much more!!

What are some benefits of active and involved living?

• meet new people,
• feel more relaxed,
• improve self-esteem,
• have fun,
• better physical health,
• maintain independence,
• and so much more!!

Great Opportunity to Learn and Have Some Fun Trying New Activities!

• Volunteer Peer Speakers will be presenting a series of seven presentations in both official languages on healthy active living in designated seniors' apartment blocks. This program will start in the fall/winter. Following the presentation, participants will have the chance to try out activities such as T'ai Chi, Carpet Bowling, Line Dancing, Nutrition Bingo and much more!!
• Participants will be invited to attend a social period after the activities and have a chance to win some great prizes at the end of the seven presentations.
• Presentation topics to be included: - "Healthy and Active at 55+...Who ME???" (Parts 1 & 2) - "Maintaining Your Health and Independence" (Parts 1, 2 & 3) - "Three Cheers to You!!!" - "Eat Well, Feel Well"

Did You Know?

• At any age, physical activity has been identified as one of the most important ways to maintain independence and prevent numerous illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and adult-onset diabetes (Health Canada, 1999).
• Participation in recreation activities has been found to have a positive impact on social supports (Frankish, Milligan, & Reid, 1998).

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BONI-VITAL ACTIVE COMMUNITIES FACT SHEET

Boni-Vital Active Communities (BVAC) promotes healthy active living for older adults (55+) in St. Boniface and St. Vital.  Community residents and community agencies and organizations are working together to encourage active and involved living for the older adult.

BVAC has been established as a community development initiative that looks at how we can all contribute to healthy active living of the older adult.  BVAC has provided an effective opportunity to partner and share resources, thereby avoiding duplication and improving integration of services within the communities of St. Boniface and St. Vital.  BVAC has been working with multiple partners – numerous community residents, community agencies and organizations, as well as three levels of government.

We are preparing a proposal to Health Canada for funding for a 3-year project for adults aged 55+ living in the communities of St. Boniface and St. Vital.  The goal of our project is to increase the ability of community members and community based organizations to identify, promote, and participate in opportunities for older adults to access involved and active living through:

1. strengthened community networks
2. education and awareness about the benefits of active living
3. peer support and encouragement to sustain and support active and involved living.  (It is anticipated that by holding focus groups and utilizing concepts of community development, that the peer support would evolve, hence “Each One Reach One.”)

We anticipate that the outcome of this project is that the seniors in St. Boniface and St. Vital will create a culture of “involved living,” that is, a way of life that creates, nurtures, and sustains relationships with family, friends, neighbours, and community, within the context of a supportive social environment.  We expect many opportunities will be created to connect with the older adult and that the older adult will connect with their friends, family, and community in a meaningful way.

The outcomes of this project will enable community agencies to be more sensitive, and better able to respond, to the needs of the older adult in the community.  The research component of this initiative speaks to the sustainability aspect and the sharing of project outcomes, as BVAC is working closely with U of M’s Centre on Aging.  We anticipate that this project and its outcomes will be beneficial for other communities as well.