New Horizons for Seniors Program

MPL is proud to announce its newest project, Nourish and Connect – A Senior-Led Culinary Wellness Initiative, made possible through the support of the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

This culinary project begins with an invitation to older adults in the Milton and surrounding community to submit heirloom recipes to be shared with the community. This knowledge sharing will later result in the development of a community cookbook, preparation and free distribution of spice mix packages, intergenerational cooking workshops, and meal preparation and donation at local charities.

Seniors and their caregivers are invited to submit heirloom recipes before August 21, 2026 and join us in the development of this exciting initiative.

This program is possible through the financial assistance of the Government of Canada.

SUBMIT RECIPE

Project Highlights

  • Senior-led, community-based program promoting food literacy and healthy aging
  • Strong partnerships with Halton Region Public Health, a dietitian, and community organizations
  • Partnership with Food for Life to deliver meals to vulnerable seniors
  • Culturally inclusive and intergenerational approach through shared cooking and storytelling
  • Seniors can submit recipes, with selected top recipes featured in program workshops
  • Focus on food security through meal programs and community supports
  • Development of a community cookbook and a scalable program model

Programming

  • Phased delivery from Summer 2026 to March 2027
  • Core programming includes monthly cooking workshops and nutrition education sessions
  • Food safety workshops delivered in Fall 2026 in partnership with Halton region  Public Health
  • Intergenerational and cultural events in late fall/early winter
  • Program evaluation, cookbook development, and final celebration in wrap-up phase

Milton Public Library (MPL) has proudly delivered a series of innovative and inclusive programs funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). These initiatives celebrate the contributions of seniors in our community, promoting social participation, volunteerism, intergenerational connections, and lifelong learning.

Explore our past NHSP projects below:

2025 – Preserving Voices, Empowering Communities

This multilingual oral history project celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Milton’s senior population by recording their life stories in their native languages and creating a digital archive with English captions to enable proader access and intergenerational engagement. This initiative promoted cross-generational learning and connection, while empowering seniors to take on meaningful leadership roles within the community.

2024 – Engaging Senior Artists

In this year-long program, seniors in Milton explored visual art through hands-on workshops, artist talks, and mentorship. The initiative culminated in a public Seniors Visual Arts Exhibition at Sherwood Branch, showcasing artwork created by the participants. Led by local artists, the project empowered seniors to share their stories through art, build new skills, and form meaningful creative connections.

Learn more here!

2023 – Seniors Translating for Newcomers

MPL partnered with the Halton Multicultural Council to engage multilingual seniors in translating key library resources for newcomers. Volunteers translated brochures, tech guides, and web content into Urdu, Arabic, Hindi, Spanish, French, and Ukrainian, improving accessibility and supporting community integration. A multilingual welcome wall now greets visitors at the Main Library, reflecting Milton’s diversity and inclusiveness.

2022 – The Hand-Me-Down Project

This intergenerational initiative connected youth and seniors through hands-on workshops and storytelling. Seniors shared skills in crafting, cooking, tinkering, and traditional trades, co-developing a unique series of community-based programs. The project fostered sustainability, cultural exchange, and a deeper appreciation for knowledge passed down across generations.

2019 – Connecting the Confined: Virtual Reality for Seniors

This groundbreaking project used Virtual Reality (VR) to reduce social isolation among seniors in long-term care and retirement homes. Seniors co-created local VR experiences such as walks down Main Street and rides on antique streetcars, filmed by volunteers of all ages. The program reached over 250 seniors through guided group VR sessions, sparking conversation, reminiscence, and connection.

2017 – Building Tech Confidence in Retirement Homes

In MPL’s first NHSP-funded initiative, volunteers delivered technology training sessions in retirement homes using newly purchased tablets and Chromebooks. Over the course of 14 sessions, participants learned how to email, browse safely online, and connect with loved ones digitally building confidence, friendships, and critical tech skills to stay safe from cyber fraud.