MOSAIC will mark the ninth annual Multicultural Seniors Day Celebration this Saturday, Oct. 3 – though this year’s event will look a little different.
Building on the theme My Journey, My Home, the event is a chance to bring immigrant and refugee seniors together to engage in meaningful social activities and to build community connections. Held entirely online through Zoom and YouTube livestream, activities will include art expression, music, performance, stories and learning sessions.
All immigrant and refugee seniors are encouraged to join and participate in this free event (details below).
First celebrated in 2012, MOSAIC’s Multicultural Seniors Day was started as a way to pay tribute to immigrant and refugee seniors for their contributions to Canadian society. It is held on or close to October 1st each year, which also marks National Seniors Day in Canada and the United Nations International Day of Older Persons.
“Over the years, I have witnessed the amazing work of immigrant seniors at MOSAIC and in the community. They deserve to be recognized on one day of the year for their contributions, no matter how small. Multicultural Seniors Day is truly a celebration by seniors, for seniors — it’s all about them,” said Daisy Au, Seniors Club Coordinator at MOSAIC.
According to the 2016 Canadian census, the population of immigrant seniors in British Columbia is increasingly diverse, with 41% of all seniors in the province being immigrants. This is even more the case in Vancouver, where one out of every two seniors is an immigrant.
Events like Multicultural Seniors Day help address the needs of immigrant seniors who are especially vulnerable to social isolation, loneliness, and declining mental health, according to Au. That’s why hosting this year’s event is more important than ever for helping seniors connect – even if it’s virtual.
“Many seniors come to Canada as caregivers of their grandchildren. They feel stuck at home and socially isolated, especially during the pandemic. Seniors Day brings immigrant seniors together to engage them in meaningful social activities and to build community connections. This is a joyful time that seniors look forward every year.”
To register for the event or find out more information, click here.
