The Chinese Community Response Network’s Bridges of Care: Lunar New Year Celebration & Seniors Outreach Event, held on February 19, 2026, brought together older Chinese seniors – particularly women experiencing social isolation or vulnerability – through two culturally grounded celebrations designed to strengthen connection, trust, and safety as protective factors against abuse, neglect, and self-neglect. The morning gathering at Tung Sam Lou (Atira Housing Society) engaged approximately 50 participants, including tenants, staff, senior performers, and CRN partners, while the afternoon celebration at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. reached 141 seniors, alongside 13 Chinese CRN partner representatives and 19 volunteers at full venue capacity.
Across both events, prevention-focused activities were embedded into a culturally welcoming environment, including short safety messages on adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect, distribution of Chinese-language resources, cultural performances, and informal one-on-one conversations through information booths. Outreach also extended to isolated seniors in the Downtown Eastside, helping reduce barriers to connection and support.
The events contributed to prevention by reducing social isolation, increasing awareness of abuse and available supports in a culturally accessible way, and creating early opportunities for trust-building and identification of concerns through informal engagement. A storytelling presentation by the Holding Heritage Project further strengthened inclusion and empowerment by sharing seniors’ immigration stories and reinforcing dignity, while also supporting intergenerational connection and informing the upcoming Storytelling Compassion & Empowerment Project (April–June 2026).
Overall, the initiative strengthened cross-sector collaboration among partners including MOSAIC, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Atira Housing Society, Seniors First BC, Alzheimer Society of BC, Vancouver Second Mile Society, CHIMO, Vancouver and Lower Mainland Family Support Services Society, and the Holding Heritage Project Producer, enhancing coordinated prevention responses across the network.
- April 14 Mandarin – Session 1 Eliminate Isolation & Get Connected 消除孤立, 聯繫社群
- May 12 Mandarin – Session 2 YOU Power 您的力量
- June 9 Mandarin – Session 3 I Have Choices 我有選擇
- June 23 Cantonese – Session 1 Eliminate Isolation & Get Connected 消除孤立, 聯繫社群
- July 14 Cantonese – Session 2 YOU Power 您的力量
- August 11 Cantonese – Session 3 I Have Choices 我有選擇
