The first Seniors Fair was well attended by more than 150 people at the Nelson and District Community Centre on Thursday. People came from as far as Kaslo and the Slocan Valley with the help of the free bus service provided.
There were 38 representatives with information about programs relating to health, housing, transportation, food supports, education, safety and social connectedness.
“The energy in here has been so great,” said Anna Maskerine, community development coordinator for Kootenay Seniors, who added that an unexpected benefit of the event was the various service providers also connected with one another.
The Nelson RCMP were there to provide information on fraud protection, Service Canada was able to answer questions regarding pensions. Several organizations provide support and prevention of elder abuse as well as in formation on senior facilities.
The Nelson Library, Columbia Basin for Literacy and Kootenai Seniors website had booths to inform people about computer and tech support.
The initiative for the fair grew out of a community development project, under the age friendly initiative through Nelson CARES.