Senior Guyanese Friendship Association

Senior Guyanese Friendship Association Indeed some of them simply packed up and returned home. The venue, food and entertainment were provided by kind supportive friends and well wishers.

SGFA is a Not- For- Profit organization formed in 1973 for Guyanese seniors, who identified the need for their parents to enjoy the camaraderie and togetherness they experienced while living at home in Guyana South America. Our Mission & Vision

The Mission of the SGFA is to promote Guyanese culture among senior citizens from Guyana and the Canadian community, and thus help to reduce isolation am

ong its members

Parents had migrated to a very different world in order to facilitate their children and grand children in their pursuit of enhanced opportunities. Many of these seniors had never before travelled outside of the Caribbean and, in addition with having to cope with a completely different lifestyle at a late age, they were compelled to do battle with climatic conditions, culture shock and the overwhelming vastness of their new surroundings. The first event planned by the then "Senior Guyanese Group" in 1973 was a Christmas Party, attended by 48 seniors. The success of this event encouraged the group to establish an informal committee and launch a membership drive campaign. The association has now grown in membership to over 200 seniors of predominately Guyanese heritage, and some welcomed members of other Caribbean territories, who relish the good fellowship shared by the group. The regular activities include the following: Brunches, Bake/Bazaar sales, Dances, Dinners, Trips in Canada, primarily Ontario, the USA and Guyana, Board Games, Dominoes Tournaments, Bingo Games, Tea Parties, Picnics, Birthday Parties, Art and Craft classes, Camps, Fitness and Exercise classes, Health Related Workshops, Training Sessions and Seminars

Over the years the Executive Committee escorted the members on many interesting tours including Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Washington DC, Disney World, and traced the history of the Underground Railway in Canada

The Association meets every Saturday from March to December at the Flemington Resource Centre 29 St Dennis Drive, Toronto. This venue was obtained through the kind courtesy of North York Parks and Recreation Department. Membership is open to applicants 55 years and over. The annual membership fee is $20.00.

Address

P. O. Box 92203, 2900 Warden Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1W3Y9

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Senior Guyanese Friendship Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Senior Guyanese Friendship Association:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

HISTORY

OUR MISSION & VISION The Senior Guyanese Friendship Association was formed in 1973, by a group of younger Guyanese, who identified a dire need for their parents and other seniors, to enjoy the camaraderie and togetherness not unlike their lifestyle at home in Guyana.

OUR HISTORY Parents had migrated to a very different world in order to facilitate their children and grandchildren in their pursuit of enhanced opportunities. Many of these seniors had never before traveled outside the Caribbean and, in addition with having to cope with a completely different lifestyle at a late age, they were compelled to do battle with climatic conditions, culture shock and an overwhelming vastness of their new surroundings. Indeed some of them simply packed up and returned home The first event planned by the then "Senior Guyanese Group" was a 1973 Christmas Party attended by 48 seniors from within Ontario. The venue, food and entertainment were provided by kind,supportive friends and well wishers. The success of this event encouraged the group to establish an informal committee and launch a membership drive campaign. The association has now grown to a membership of over 200 seniors of predominantly Guyanese heritage, and some welcomed members of other Caribbean territories,who relish the good fellowship shared by the group.

The Association is a charitable organization which boasts a non-political,non partisan atmosphere. It has continually maintained recognition and support from all Guyanese diplomatic representatives both in Toronto and Ottawa, throughout its more than 34 years of existence. In 1988 a committee of seniors made representation and received a small one time grant from New Horizons for a "Forward Action Program". The grant was used to purchase equipment for crafts, exercise and entertainment for the group. Over the years, the Executive Committee escorted the members on many interesting tours including Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa and Washington D.C. Members also visited Disney World, traced the history of the Underground Railroad in Canada and then in 1996, enjoyed their first camping experience in Parry Sound,Ontario. In an attempt to fulfill its mandate of service to the membership, the Executive Board liaised with many community organizations such as Board of education, Red Cross, North York Parks and Recreation, to secure space and educators for the association. In 2003 the Association celebrated its 30th anniversary with a gala at the Rembrandt Banquet Hall in Scarborough. The group meets every Saturday from March through to December at the Flemingdon Resource Cent re, 29 St.Dennis Drive, Toronto.This venue was obtained through the kind courtesy of North York Parks and Recreation Department. The Saturday program includes exercise classes, games and crafts, discussions, and addresses on pertinent topics from professionals in the medical and legal fields and organizations such as the Metro Police Association. There is an annual membership fee of $20.00 and membership is open to applicants 55 years and over. The main fund raising events are, a Family brunch in the Spring, and a Bazaar in the Fall. In addition the Executive Board hosts a Fall Dance with all proceeds going to the Association in an effort to boost its resources. All other activities such as Parents Day tea, Pot luck, Games Afternoon, some Trip transportation, craft materials, Christmas dinner and party, are free to members in good standing. We do ask that members pay their dues by June of every year and attend at least two (2) in house activities per year to be regarded as being in good standing. In addition the Association is a member of the Alliance of Canadian Guyanese Associations and is on the mailing list of some government and community organizations.