In an effort to host more staff and programs on site to better serve the community, the Prince George Council of Seniors is moving to a bigger location that will suit their needs and growth well into the future.
The local Council of Seniors office was located at 721 Victoria Street for the last dozen years or so and now they will be located at 1330 Fifth Avenue, right beside MLA Shirley Bond’s office.
“We just needed more space to accommodate the growing number of staff on site,” Michelle McGregor, executive director for the Prince George Council of Seniors, said. “We had three staff and there are eight staff members now.”
Prince George Council of Seniors (PGCOS) is a registered charity that operates several programs, services and events to enhance the lives of seniors in the Prince George area through the Seniors Resource Centre.
“I am applying for more grants for more initiatives and I’m just waiting to hear back on those,” McGregor said. “We’re looking to add two more staff in the future so we really need this space. In the past we were renting boardroom space and finding a new location was very hard. This space is beautiful and we know our staff and clients will appreciate it.”
The new office space holds many small offices for staff, a modest conference room and perhaps most importantly a space for intake workers to help those in need in a private setting.
The transition takes place from Feb. 16 to 24 and the old office will be closed through that time and then the new space at 1330 Fifth Avenue will open on Monday Feb. 27.
Regular programs like Meals on Wheels and Better at Home will continue to run during the office closure.
Included in the services provided by the Council of Seniors is a Housing and Community Resource, a friends and family caregiver support program, with more programs soon to be set up in the new office.
At the resource centre, there will continue to be programs available for those who are low income to have their taxes done at no cost. There is also advance planning clinics so low income seniors can get information about last will and testaments, powers of attorney and representation agreements.
There is also a variety of printed material seniors can pick up at the Resource Centre that offers information about health, housing, transportation, legal issues, abuse and neglect and pensions.
For more information visit www.pgcos.ca or in person when the new office opens on Feb. 27 at 1330 Fifth Avenue.
