Council Facts
The South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council (SWSRC) is a non-profit organization whose goal is to increase the independence and well-being of older adults living within our community.  Established in 1994, SWSRC provides services in South Winnipeg to the areas of Charleswood, Tuxedo, River Heights, Crescentwood and Fort Rouge (postal codes R3L, R3M, R3N, R3P and R3R).

The SWSRC, through the direction of a volunteer Board, works to carry out specific council goals that are reviewed, evaluated and updated on an annual basis.   We receive yearly funding from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) for the position of Community Resource Coordinator.  The WRHA also funds 10 other community areas in the same fashion.

Through our Resource Coordinator and community partners, SWSRC’s mission, plans and vision reach a community level.  We are committed to building on community capacity and to empowering older adults living in South Winnipeg to achieve independence and increased quality of life.  To this end, we offer a variety of services in our community.

Education/Presentations/ Programs and Leadership
Our resource coordinator presents a variety of educational and training programs in the community:
ERIK (Emergency Response Information Kit): this program, developed in conjunction with the Winnipeg Paramedic services, is an effective tool for seniors and other community members to maintain a current accessible record of their medical conditions and instructions for care.

Falls Prevention: Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among seniors. This interactive presentation gives seniors tools and tips on how to stay active, promote safety and prevent falls.

Active Living and Fitness: Our council uses and promotes the following tools and programs:

Steppin’ Out – Pedometer Based Walking Program: In this program older adults learn about the values of ongoing fitness and exercise programs.  The use of pedometers provides a goal-oriented means of keeping that activity going!

Steppin’ Up – Train-the-trainer Functional Fitness Model: Access to professionally led fitness classes is not always convenient, especially for seniors who often are not able to get out easily.  In this train-the-trainer model, leaders are found within existing groups, and a fitness group is developed.

Healthy Lifestyles Bingo: This interactive, informative and fun bingo promotes healthy living and provides tips on safety, nutrition and physical activity!

Seniors Are Cool presentations in the schools: This program, developed by the Seniors Secretariat and the Active Living Alliance is currently being delivered by our coordinator to schools in our area, in cooperation with Creative Retirement Manitoba.

Speakers Bureau: To assist organizations within our community to deliver programs and seminars, we are developing a Speakers Bureau. In this way we will be the resource to call for ideas and information on a variety of topics.

COMMUNITY MEAL PROGRAM
The SWSRC sponsors and administers 2 seniors meal programs located at 100/110 Adamar Road and The Eastern Star at 525 cathcart. The programs employ a cook/meal coordinator and serve meals, 3 times per week to an average of 35 meals per day. That is over 12,000 meals per year! Core funding is received from the WRHA.  Participants in the program pay $4-$5 per meal and actively volunteer to make these programs a success.

REFERRAL SERVICES
Our “F.Y.I.” brochure series provides printed information on these topics:
Transportation
Seniors Housing
Recreation
Meal Programs and Grocery Delivery
Personal Services
Home and Yard Maintenance
Information & Support

PARTNERSHIPS
To effectively represent the older adults in our community, we partner with many other organizations, including:
ALACD: Active Living Alliance for Canadians with Disabilities
ALCOA: Active Living Coalition for Older Adults
Charleswood Seniors Center
Community Health and Well Being
Creative Retirement Manitoba
Crescentwood Community Club
Fort Rouge Leisure Center
NRNs: Neighbourhood Resource Networks
PACM: Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba
PSSS: Partners Seeking Solutions for Seniors
Radi Jewish Community Campus - FAB (Fifty & Beyond)
River Heights Community Center
Riverview Health Centre
Rupert’s Land Caregiver Services
Seniors and Elders Day Committee
Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat
Transportation Working Group
WRHA: Support Services to Seniors, primary health leaders, home care.