Local seniors network launched to ease loneliness for elder immigrant Calgarians

The Calgary Seniors Ethnocultural Network is a new initiative that aims to give lonely immigrant seniors a sense of community.

It was launched by the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) to address a growing problem in the city.

Seniors who came to Canada as adults and long-term immigrants are at a higher risk of loneliness than Canadian-born seniors, according to a 2023 Statistics Canada report.

By fostering connections among diverse cultural groups, the network aims to provide social support, resources and opportunities for engagement that empower seniors to share their experiences and wisdom. This initiative not only helps reduce isolation but also enriches the community as a whole by promoting cultural exchange and understanding, organizers say.

Elder abuse, language, literacy

The network also addresses elder abuse, language barriers, and digital literacy and offers social events, walking groups and mental health support.

"You don't need to speak English in order to be happy for two hours attending cultural events like our Taste of Asia, our multicultural fiesta and even the fashion show. The mere fact that they can smile and they can say hi to each other, that's good enough, and that is addressing social isolation," said Sherrisa Celis, the senior manager for immigration services with CCIS.

"Our mission is to improve the quality of life and successful integration of immigrant seniors and customize some services to meet their needs," added Celis. 

The network collaborates with 13 community partners, including the Calgary Iranian-Canadian Seniors Group, the Calgary Latin American Seniors Association, and the Filipino Calgarian Seniors Club.

These collaborations will focus on resource sharing, promoting awareness of each other's work, co-applying for grants, advocating for understanding and inclusion, and meeting regularly to discuss observations and proactively support immigrant seniors' well-being.

Goal is unified approach

By fostering strong connections among organizations, they create a unified approach to addressing the unique challenges faced by immigrant seniors, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met, organizers say. 

With language being the biggest barrier, Peggy Kim, the founder of the Calgary Korean Performing Arts Society, affirms English isn't a prerequisite to taking part. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of cultural exchange and inclusivity, welcoming individuals of all backgrounds to join in the network.

"Colour is different, language is different, but we are all human. Whoever wants to join can, everybody is welcome," said Kim. 

The network offers lots of programming, including multicultural events, workshops, social and physical activities, as well as cultural and mental health supports.