ElderNET History

Our Story: How did it all start?

The ElderNET initiative began three years ago when a group of service providers and funders met to explore new and better ways of planning and working together for the benefit of Calgary’s seniors. These agencies understood that Calgary’s seniors would benefit from an integrated, less fragmented service delivery system and as a first step they formed the Seniors Services Intersectoral Planning (SSIP) Steering Committee.

Over the next two years much was achieved. Three community consultations were held involving hundreds of stakeholders and ten seniors were chosen by their peers to join the SSIP Steering Committee forming the twenty-one person Coordinating Committee. As well six primary issue areas were identified for work by future planning tables. These were income, housing, health, transportation, social connections/lifelong learning and access to information.

In Spring of 2005 the issue of transportation was chosen as the first focus area for SSIP. As a result a brainstorming session involving fifty people was held at Canada Olympic Park on May 25th. and many ideas for action were generated. Following this a nine member Transportation Planning Table was established with representatives from service providers, private business and seniors. The planning table's primary goal is to address these identified transportation issues.

Most recently SSIP changed its name to ElderNET Calgary and has developed a logo and graphic image which will give a characteristic identity to all of its communications. In order to keep the broader community informed of its work and to encourage feedback ElderNET Calgary has also developed this interactive website.