The Seniors Program: The Sunshine Group
Connect. Learn. Thrive.
🎯 Mandate
JDHSS mandate historically, since its founding in 1984 has been to serve seniors since the founders were mainly seniors who wanted to offer programs and services to attract seniors as well as young families and inter-generational audiences. JDHSS has been successful in the past in fulfilling this mandate and will continue to do so today and in the future.
Seniors have made significant, lasting contributions to families and society through their hard work, wisdom, and resilience. Across generations, they have raised families, built careers, cared for loved ones, and preserved cultural traditions that strengthen community identity. Their guidance helps younger people develop values such as responsibility, empathy, and perseverance. Seniors have also supported Canada’s growth through decades of labour, entrepreneurship, and volunteerism. Many continue to provide childcare, mentorship, and emotional stability, creating a foundation for younger generations to thrive. Their lived experiences enrich social understanding and strengthen civic life, making seniors essential pillars of every community.
🏆 Qualifications and Experience
Our organization’s track record clearly demonstrates deep experience working with seniors. The Sunshine Seniors Program has grown from 20 participants five years ago to over 250 registered seniors, with about 120 attending every week, a powerful indicator of trust, relevance, and impact. The Sunshine Seniors Group consistently provides culturally appropriate activities such as singing, dancing, storytelling, nutritious meals, yoga, digital literacy, financial literacy, fraud prevention, dementia awareness, and SME‑led workshops. The program also supports vulnerable seniors, including low‑income seniors, newcomer and racialized seniors, women, seniors with disabilities, chronic health conditions, cognitive decline, and sensory impairment
This long history of service, combined with our current strong weekly participation, senior‑led planning, and partnerships with organizations such as TD, RBC, BMO, Toronto Police, Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, and Alzheimer Society, demonstrates JDHSS’s qualifications and proven capacity to deliver high‑impact, culturally responsive seniors programming.
☀️ Current Seniors Program
Seniors Program at Jai Durga Mandir, also lovingly known as The Sunshine Group, is dedicated to enriching the lives of seniors in our community. Now in its fifth successful year, this program is offered free of charge and continues to bring joy, learning, and connection to participants every week.
📅 Program Schedule
-
When: Every Wednesday, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
-
Where: Jai Durga Mandir
-
Registration: Please arrive by 10:15 AM to secure your seat (limited seating available).
🌟 Program Objectives & Benefits
Our program is designed to:
-
Reduce isolation and build social connections
-
Promote physical and mental well-being
-
Empower seniors with tools to manage financial, digital, and personal challenges
-
Provide a sense of belonging, dignity, and confidence
And yes — lunch is served after the session!
🎶 Activities & Workshops
Every week, seniors can enjoy a wide range of activities tailored to their interests and needs, including:
-
🧘♀️ Yoga & Dance for fitness and fun
-
🎵 Music & Bingo for entertainment
-
🍎 Nutrition Workshops for healthier living
-
💰 Financial Literacy & Fraud Prevention to stay secure
-
📜 Education on Wills, Estate Planning, Health & Wellness
-
🌸 Cultural Programming & Peer Mentoring to strengthen community ties
Many sessions are led by subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure high-quality, meaningful engagement.
🤝 Partnerships
We work with local organizations and professionals to expand services and provide seniors with practical tools, guidance, and support.
Our Sunshine Seniors Program is partially funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. We acknowledge their funding and are thankful for their support.
📷 Visit Our Gallery
See highlights from past Sunshine Group gatherings — moments of laughter, learning, and togetherness.
👉 Visit Our Gallery
📞 Contact Information
For more details about the program, please reach out to:
