Seniors Association of Vaughan Initiative – S.A.V.I.
The inspiration that established the Seniors Association of Vaughan Initiatives, (S.A.V.I), originated from members of the community whose interest it was to ensure better service provisions for the senior residents of the City of Vaughan. S.A.V.I. was founded by our Honorary Chair Mario Ferri in 2006 and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, with a mandate for advocacy, collaboration, and a theme of “Venturing Together”!
S.A.V.I.’s Mission Statement: to consolidate and strengthen the network of seniors’ clubs giving a united voice and an improved quality of life to the seniors in the City of Vaughan.
S.A.V.I.’s Objectives are: to advocate for seniors’ needs and interests. To offer social, cultural, recreational and educational activities aimed at reducing isolation and promoting social interaction among seniors, and to strengthen friendships and community connections.
PAST ACTIVITIES:
HOLIDAY CONCERT: this annual concert was held in the month of December in celebration of the holiday season with special emphasis on the multi-cultural member base. SAVI members are not only invited to attend the concert, but encouraged to be part of the evening’s entertainment and display their talents.
INTERCITY BOCCE TOURNAMENT– designed to encourage and expand social interaction and friendship building. S.A.V.I. has organized intercity bocce tournaments in the city of Vaughan.
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION: is an annual evening of acknowledgement and recognition of valued volunteers. During the undertaking of S.A.V.I.’s activities and events, there is an ongoing recruitment of volunteers from among its members, to assist with identified tasks. S.A.V.I. places great value in rewarding the efforts made by the S.A.V.I. members, and as a result, the volunteer recognition event has become a much anticipated festivity where volunteers come together in a celebration of friendship and goodwill, and go away with an increased sense of pride and belonging.
SENIORS’ INFORMATION DAY: this annual full-day event provides an opportunity for seniors to be informed of the various services available to seniors and become familiar with the procedures and process to obtain the required services. S.A.V.I undertakes of inviting and securing the attendance of various service organizations, organize workshops for interactive communication and activity, schedule guest speakers and making provision for food and refreshments; while ensuring that each senior attendee is provided with ample information and pamphlets within a social and cordial atmosphere. This event attracts and engages hundreds of seniors of the City of Vaughan.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES:
SENIORSFEST/CULTUREFEST: designed to reduce isolation, loneliness and strengthen friendships. S.A.V.I.’s Board organizes and implements an annual all-day cultural festival, engaging up to 1,300 senior members annually. Through cultural activities, culinary delights, entertainment and friendly competitors, senior members from our multi-cultural community participating in an afternoon of fun and enjoyment.
SENIORS’ SUMMIT: this concept was initiated as an avenue for seniors to have local issues addressed by its City and Regional Council. To achieve this end, annual delegations and deputations are made to the Vaughan City Council highlighting the needs of individual seniors’ clubs across the City of Vaughan.
S.A.V.I. expanded its Seniors Summits to include Provincial and Federal party representation, at which point provincial and federal matters were presented. Resulting from this initiative, the Provincial government introduced and legislate the Property Tax Rebate for seniors across Ontario. A commitment was made to improve health services in Vaughan, with a particular focus on the building of a hospital and health campus of care, and a commitment on the part of the Federal government to ensure that seniors’ needs be met by making it a high priority for its government to deal with senior needs.
FUNDRAISING FOR WORTHY CAUSES: to date, numerous annual monetary donations have been made to the Vaughan Healthcare Foundation, and annual food donations to the Vaughan Food Bank.
PARTNERSHIP BUILDING: designed to ensure that S.A.V.I. provides an exceptional level of service to its members. S.A.V.I. recognizes the need to increase the services provided by S.A.V.I. well beyond social activity and event. Therefore, S.A.V.I. has established working relationships with local retirement homes, senior’s residences, CHATS, OCSCO, Elspeth Hayworth, and other like organizations. With the Vaughan Community Health Centre and the City of Vaughan Parks and Recreation Department, through various grants, S.A.V.I. has assisted in the Active Living Program for seniors which offered sessions of light exercises and health education to any senior wishing to participate. With Elspeth Hayworth, through The Learning Centre grant, able to procure computers and offer computer learning classes, free of charge, on an ongoing basis.
The activities and events undertaken by S.A.V.I. are not limited to those noted above. S.A.V.I.’s mission is to gather information on other current event from other sources which are shared with the seniors’ clubs. As a result, S.A.V.I. is invited annually by York Regional Police to its Seniors Day celebration, as well as its Calendar Launch, and is a vehicle of communication for any information session, pertaining to seniors that are held by York Regional Police as well as the City of Vaughan Fire Department.