Mission Statement
Through communication and collaboration, the Nelson & Area Elder Abuse and Prevention Project (EAPP) seeks to increase the societies’ ability to recognize and prevent mistreatment of older people so all adults can be free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.*
*adapted from the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse Mission Statement
Guiding Principles
In all activities:
- respect seniors’ rights to dignity, independence, participation, fairness and security;**
- liaise and share resources and information with all stakeholders;
- keep all personal information confidential;
- assist individuals struggling with diminished capacity to receive appropriate supports.
**taken from “The Principles of the National Framework on Aging”
GOVERNANCE
The Nelson & Area Elder Abuse Prevention Program (EAPP), Established on November 28, 2008, is a program of the Nelson and District Seniors Coordinating Society (NDSCS). The NDSCS is a non-profit society, comprised of senior volunteers, which provides a number of programs and services in Nelson and area. For a full description of the mission statement and various community services provided please refer to the society website: www.seniors.kics.bc.ca.
OPERATING STRUCTURE:
The Nelson & Area Elder Abuse Prevention Program operating structure is as follows:
- Steering Committee is comprised of volunteers representing the NDSCS Board of Directors, the Seniors Advocate Program, the Seniors Counsellors Program and community volunteers. The steering committee oversees the direction and operations of the program.
- Advisory Committee is in the developmental stages. The Advisory Committee will provide direction and liaison to the Steering Committee; bringing perspective from the more rural and remote communities of Balfour, Harrop/Proctor, Kaslo & Area, Lower Slocan Valley, East Shore and Salmo.
- Working Groups are made up of volunteers who provide the labour that enables the program to function. The working groups are task-orientated and report to the Steering Committee for direction and approval.
Volunteers are the heart of the organization and program. Accomplishments to date such as conception of the EAPP, the development and construction of Prevention of Elder Abuse: A Nelson & Area Resource Manual, the development of the Elder Abuse Prevention Resource Centre, creation of the webpage content and liaison with community participants, has been the work of volunteers. - Site Liaison Volunteers are senior volunteers from Nelson and the more rural and remote communities of Balfour, Harrop/Proctor, Kaslo & area, Lower Slocan Valley, East Shore and Salmo who liaise and partner with the Nelson Elder Abuse Prevention Resource Centre. The funding for development of the site liaison volunteers comes from a New Horizons Canada grant (December 2009-December 2010) for the program initiative “Seniors Watch; Elder Abuse Prevention” (SWEAP).
FUNDING:
The Nelson and District Seniors Coordinating Society operates as a charitable institution without profit to its members. Funds to operate the Nelson & Area Elder Abuse Prevention Program are obtained through grant applications and donations. Donations to sustain this program are gratefully accepted from any individual or group. Donations made out to the NDSCS will receive an official income tax receipt.
In addition to the Funders & Donors acknowledged at www.seniors.kics.bc.ca/funders.htm, the Elder Abuse Prevention Program would like to thank the following (who have contributed directly to the program):