Our Vision
To be the best provider of social and emotional support for older adults and caregivers of older adults.
Our Mission
To increase social and emotional wellbeing for older adults and caregivers of older adults through community education and volunteer facilitated neighbourly connections.
OUR CORE VALUES
1. Compassion: We commit to honouring and valuing the uniqueness and integrity of each person and to support them in a kind and deeply caring way each day lived until the day of their natural death.
2. Social Connection: We believe by providing a diverse array of Volunteer facilitated social opportunities, we will enhance a sense of belonging and will prevent or reduce social isolation for older adults and their caregivers.
3. Inclusive and Inviting: We strive to provide a welcoming and safe environment for all our attendees from any culture, nationality, or background. Volunteers will warmly greet each as they arrive and will strive to be a compassionate and active listener.
4. Collaborative teamwork: We strive to be open to diverse suggestions, to using effective communication skills and to problem solve together as a team. This includes networking with other organizations and actively seeking suggestions and opinions from the people that we serve.
5. Dependable and Consistent: We strive to be trustworthy and reliable by consistently demonstrating integrity through actions and not just words. We value honesty and respect in all situations with all people.
Compassionate Neighbours is governed by a Board of Directors and has a staff team that is comprised of: 2 full-time employees, 2 part-time employees, 4 contracted part-time staff and many volunteers. Together they provide a variety of group social activities and initial transportation support for older adults, especially those living with social isolation and/or loneliness and with chronic conditions which had limited their ability to seek social interactions. For those older adults who rarely leave their home or, for various reasons, are unable to join in the group activities, volunteers provide weekly friendly visits and/or a monthly shared social meal around an hour of conversation. Compassionate Neighbours also provides support for caregivers of older adults living in the Chilliwack, Agassiz, and Hope areas. This is both one-to-one support and through caregiver support group sessions.” Please see the ‘Services’ page for more information about the programs offered.
COMPASSIONATE NEIGHBOURS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Charmain den Hertog
Joe Kerkhoff
Daniel Van De Lagemaat
Connie Stam
Janice McMurray
Doug Maljaars
President
Treasurer
Secretary
Member at Large
Member at Large
Vice-President
Jan Van Randwijk
Member at Large
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
-Leo Buscaglia,
Why Was The Compassionate Neighbours Formed?
As in many parts of the world, the percentage of the population that are seniors has increased dramatically in B.C. Most seniors would like to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. At the same time, their support networks are shrinking, and many seniors find themselves with few family members living nearby. Much research has been done that points to increasing loneliness and/or social isolation among our senior population and among those that with love, support them.
Research shows that social isolation has serious health consequences that may rival those of smoking, obesity, and inactivity. It is also associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia!
Would you like to become a Compassionate Neighbours Member? We welcome new members *
*To show commitment to Compassionate Neighbours, an annual membership fee of $5.00 is required to maintain membership status.