The OESN’s mission is to improve healthy aging and increase inclusion & equity for ethno-cultural seniors. Our objectives are:

Increase healthy aging, social inclusion and equity;

Raise resources to support culturally-appropriate community-based initiatives, programs and services;

Enhance our knowledge and resources for providing services and support to our communities;

Identify and analyze the social and cultural needs in the community;

Provide leadership in planning and establishing priorities for meeting the identified needs.

Since 2006 the Social Planning Council of Ottawa and grassroots ethno-cultural groups have collaborated to improve opportunities and health equity for ethno-cultural community members. Originally, we operated as the “Ottawa Ethno-cultural Coalition” and the “Projet maison ethnoculturelle francophone”, organizing a full range of social, health and employment programs. In 2016, we became the “Ottawa Ethno-cultural Seniors Network”. As of 2022, the OESN included 27 grassroots ethno-cultural groups (see “Partners” for details), each providing healthy aging supports to their respective community members and working together to build our capacity and create meaningful improvement on health equity for ethno-cultural seniors.

Social Activities

Digital Literacy

Culturally-Responsive Dementia Supports

Physical Activities incl. Sharing Dance

Friendly Visiting

Culturally-based Food Programs

Research and Planning

June 22, 2022 10 am - 4 pm. Connecting Seniors Cultural Exhibition and Festival at 102 Greenview Avenue

Dec. 10, 2021 Get your copy “Flavours of Home”, Ottawa’s Ethno-Cultural Seniors Cookbook

June 22,2021 City of Ottawa proclaims “Ottawa Grassroots Ethno-cultural Seniors Network Appreciation Day”