Duane Hicks
After nearly sevens years in existence, the Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (S.A.L.T.) is coming to an end.
The group first formed in 2010 as a means to mobilize seniors to become involved with local police and other service agencies that focus on seniors’ needs in their community, as well as to educate seniors about topics like elder abuse and senior-targeted crime.
But in the years hence, the number of participants have dropped off and its mandate has been adopted by other community partners.
Robert Schulz, who has been chairperson since S.A.L.T.’s inception here, said several agencies have been “picking up the ball” in educating about elder abuse while the local OPP regularly informs the public of scams in the newspaper.
On top of that, the Fort Frances Seniors’ Centre (Sister Kennedy Centre) is becoming a lot more active in regards to letting seniors know what programs and services are out there for them, added Schulz.
“I just feel that’s probably a better venue for people to go and get their information,” he reasoned.
The centre also has hosted a seniors’ fair the past two falls, where they bring in all kinds of guest speakers on a variety of subjects, including some ground that S.A.L.T. might cover.
“I don’t feel as though if we disappear that the message is still not going to be out there,” Schulz said.
S.A.L.T. members have been busy over the years.
“We had a pretty good run,” Schulz remarked. “We did roughly 40 presentations on either elder abuse or scams; we worked with the Royal Bank on a few occasions and a few other agencies on occasion.
“I feel we’ve done a pretty good job promoting what we stand for.”
S.A.L.T. volunteers also have helped out with “Kiss ‘n Ride” when it started here in 2013.
Over the years, they’ve promoted their message at events like the Chamber of Commerce’s home and business expo and Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team’s safety day at Point Park.
The group’s office at Green Manor, which was donated for use by Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board, will be closed by the end of June, said Schulz.
S.A.L.T.’s office equipment has been offered to the Fort Frances Seniors’ Centre.
The S.A.L.T. website–ffsalt.com–will remain up until the end of the year because its already been paid for.
The website will be accessible for informational purposes only (S.A.L.T. contact information has been removed).
Some website content also will be transferred over to Fort Frances Seniors’ Centre’s page on the town’s website.
Meanwhile, following the seniors’ survey conducted late last year, the “Age-Friendly Community” committee is in the process of determining areas to focus on, listing strategies to address those concerns, deciding who should address those concerns, and how long it will take.
Coun. June Caul told the Times the survey got a “great response,” and the committee appreciates anyone who has given them input.
She also tipped her hat to co-ordinator Ian Simpson, who had been busy collating survey results and making presentations over the past six months.
The “Age-Friendly Community” project has been made possible through a grant, and Coun. Caul said the committee is looking at applying for another grant to continue working on the project.
