In the next 20 years, the senior population is expected to grow by 68%. As our population ages, the need to better support our seniors grows exponentially. 40% of older adults are affected by mental health problems in Ontario alone. Recreation therapy has been critical to supporting the mental wellness of seniors and the cancellation of recreational therapy due to the pandemic has only emphasized the essentialness of these services.

To support this need, SFMW is seeking to provide more consistent (meaning weekly/bi-weekly) free recreational therapy for LTC homes. We recognize the incredible talent of many youth musicians across the GTA and want to provide them the opportunity to showcase their abilities, while also interacting with their community and earning volunteer hours.

And so the SFMW High School Outreach (HSO) program was created. The program aims to support high school leaders and musicians through the formation of HSO Chapters across Canada and the United States. Through our HSO program, we seek to connect youths with the seniors of their community by offering them the opportunity to perform either live or virtually.

Specifically, we are seeking to connect high schools to a local LTC home via our expansive network of LTC partners. Students will put together a live outdoor concert (depending on COVID-19 restrictions, the concert may pivot to an online format) in June 2022.