After seven years helping the Sparwood Community Response Network (CRN) bring people together to prevent adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect, Lois Halko is stepping down as Coordinator.
Her departure marks the end of an important chapter for this local network and offers an opportunity to recognize someone whose commitment to Sparwood stretches back decades.
Lois helped establish the Sparwood CRN in 2019, drawing on the relationships she’d built through a career in public health nursing and a decade in municipal government.
Since then, she and a dedicated group of volunteers have introduced educational programs, connected community partners, and developed projects shaped by local needs.
But for Lois, the value of the work has always come back to people: getting to know them, listening to their concerns, and finding ways for the community to work together.
Deep Roots in Sparwood
Lois was born in the former mining community of Michel-Natal, near present-day Sparwood.
She remembers the area’s transition, as mining practices changed and residents relocated to the new town.
After leaving to study nursing and work elsewhere in Canada, she returned in 1971, when Sparwood was still taking shape.
She went on to serve as a public health nurse in the community for 32 years, and after connecting with residents and health professionals, she gained a close understanding of local needs.
After retiring from nursing, Lois served 10 years on Sparwood Town Council, including a term as mayor.
And those years proved useful when she took on her leadership role at BC CRN, as she knew how to reach people, understood local organizations, and had established relationships across the community.
Lois said these experiences helped her transition into her role as Coordinator because she already had “knowledge of the community, building that rapport with residents, having developed a certain level of trust, I think, and responsiveness to concerns.”
Building a Network From the Ground Up
Lois’ introduction to BC CRN came through an ordinary conversation at a local recreation centre.
In 2019, she was speaking with the recreation director, who mentioned that Regional Mentor Doug Newberry was looking for someone interested in starting a CRN in Sparwood.
And having recently stepped away from municipal office, Lois had more time to give.
So, she offered to get involved, drawing on her decades of experience serving the community.
“I still fondly remember the day when I met Lois and her team at an impromptu meeting at the recreation centre. The energy that Lois brought into the room was fantastic,” said Doug Newberry, BC CRN Program Implementation Manager and former East Kootenay Regional Mentor.
Her first task was to find people who could represent different parts of Sparwood, so Lois started making some calls.
The resulting committee was made up of 10 people connected to health care, banking, industry, education, the library, seniors’ organizations, and community groups.
A designated responder from the local health centre brought specialist knowledge, while other members contributed their experience and community contacts.
The group had a shared purpose, which was to help people recognize concerns about adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect and understand where they can turn for help.
And in a community where there was little to no education on these subjects, building this informed network was an important first step.
“The formation of the CRN in Sparwood was a learning experience for both me and Lois,” Doug said. “I look back now and relish what Lois and her team accomplished. Many of the innovative ideas she came up with, like the bench project, hockey rink advertising, and of course, the yearly high school graduation bursary, had never been done before in this area.”
Bringing Difficult Conversations Into the Open
Lois knew that starting a CRN would mean addressing a subject many people were reluctant to discuss.
“I think this is a topic that a lot of people are really afraid of,” she said, explaining that Sparwood had no educational programs on adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect when the network began.
But she believed helping people recognize the signs of abuse and neglect, and helping them understand what to do with those concerns, was the right place to start.
So, she drew on relationships established during her nursing career and her years on Sparwood Town Council to bring the issue to people who could help.
Alongside fellow committee members, Lois introduced the new CRN at a council meeting and explained what they hoped to accomplish. The District of Sparwood supported their efforts and arranged for all municipal employees to attend educational presentations.
Lois and the committee also reached out to older adults, home support workers, and students.
One experienced facilitator even adapted a presentation for teenagers, making adult abuse prevention a topic that young people could discuss with their teachers and families.
For Lois, the results were encouraging, as she heard about housing staff and community members who had already taken steps to report a concern, sometimes using contact information on materials supplied by BC CRN.
It showed that people were beginning to recognize when something needed attention and knew where to seek guidance.
Projects That Made a Difference
When asked about the Sparwood CRN’s accomplishments, Lois identified several projects that remain especially meaningful to her.
One began with a practical concern raised in an earlier local study: Older residents needed more places to rest while walking.
So, the CRN partnered with the District of Sparwood to purchase and install five benches along a route between seniors’ housing and the downtown shopping area, which helped make everyday trips more manageable for residents who wanted to walk into town.
Another lasting initiative is the annual $1,000 fellowship award for a graduating high school student.
First presented in 2021, this award asks applicants to write a short essay identifying risk factors for adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect and suggesting ways that the community could help reduce those risks.
This brings the subject into classrooms and family conversations, and it also gives students an opportunity to consider their own part in a community that respects adults of every age.
What’s more, the pandemic presented a different challenge almost immediately after the network formed.
And with in-person outreach restricted, the committee used project funding and grants to purchase and deliver meals to older residents, and each delivery included information about adult abuse prevention.
The meals were welcome, but Lois remembers the human response most clearly: “They felt appreciated and recognized and not forgotten,” she said.
The People Who Made It Possible
Lois is quick to recognize the contributions of others.
She spoke warmly about fellow committee member Tracey Brook-Baker, whose ideas, computer work, and promotional materials helped make Sparwood CRN’s events both possible and successful.
Lois also emphasized the value of having CRN members with different skills who were willing to contribute.
Keeping that group together took a lot of effort, as some early members moved on, while new people joined.
As such, Lois considered maintaining the committee to be one of her biggest challenges.
Still, that group made time to connect beyond its projects, gathering for lunches at Christmas and in early summer to talk about their families, travels, and lives.
And those relationships are something that Lois expects to miss very much.
When she was asked what she would miss the most from her time as Coordinator, her answer was immediate: “Oh, the contact with the people for sure.”
“Lois led the Sparwood CRN with vigor,” said Doug. “I am proud to use the Sparwood CRN as a prime example of what a CRN can do to help prevent adult neglect and abuse in the community. Thank you Lois for all you have done!”
Looking Ahead With Curiosity and Connection
Stepping away from the coordinator role will give Lois more time for other interests.
With that in mind, she hopes to return to a regular routine at the swimming pool, particularly water walking and deep-water exercise.
She also looks forward to spending more time with family, who now live in several Alberta communities, and is considering whether a move closer to them might be in her future.
Reading has long been part of her life, as well, and Lois belonged to a Sparwood book club for about 20 years.
In any case, her interest in learning goes well beyond books.
At age 50, after years of nursing practice and additional training, Lois returned to university to earn a degree in nursing.
She took leave from her job, spent months studying on campus at the University of Lethbridge, and completed the remainder of her studies remotely.
With her children also pursuing their education at the same time, it became a memorable family chapter. “That was very rewarding. I really loved it,” she said.
That willingness to keep learning has been part of Lois’ contribution to Sparwood, whether she was caring for residents, serving on council, or helping neighbours understand adult abuse prevention.
Here at BC CRN, we want to thank Lois for all the time, energy, care, and relationships she’s devoted to the Sparwood CRN.
Her work has given others a strong foundation on which to build.
