CRNs in the Community: That’s a Wrap, Let’s Start the New Year


Collection of images: CRN members and volunteers at different events around the province

January has been surprisingly dry and sunny for our many communities across the province; offering a great view of the planetary alignment. It’s always good to be prepared for a sudden change in conditions and the new year is a great time to take stock and update emergency prep kits. Helpful hints and links can be found in our updated Emergency Preparedness blog. 

With the holiday festivities behind us and a new year already underway, our CRNs are busy planning and hosting many educational and social events. Here are a few CRN highlights from around the province from the last month. 

Wrapping Up the Year

Invermere CRN Coordinator Leanne Brooks set up a table just before Christmas at the local Sobey’s to connect with the public, introduce the CRN to more community members and raise awareness of adult abuse, neglect and self-neglect. Information and referral resource materials were made available on a display table, along with a beautiful gift basket to draw in visitors. Special thanks to Sobey’s staff and management for the use of their space and stopping by to learn more about identifying abuse and anonymous reporting. 

BC Community Response Networks purple covered table of resource materials and signs  Smiling woman standing behind a table of information handouts in a grocery store

CRN info table with resource materials / Invermere Coordinator, Leanne Brooks. Photo credit: Leanne Brooks.

The Invermere CRN kicked off the year in partnership with the Invermere Legion to co-host a Legion Lunch Mingle where local seniors regularly gather. Leanne introduced more about BC CRN’s mandate and programs, as well as providing resource materials available to all attendees. 

Kamloops CRN wrapped up the year on Christmas Eve with A Seniors Christmas; the delivery of almost 450 care packages to Kamloops seniors. Many of the packages contained information from BC CRNS (booklets, pamphlets, pens, erasers) for newer recipients. The Centre for Seniors Information had more donations than anticipated this year and volunteers had fun helping put together the packages. The Kamloops CRN also shared photos of the successful 6th Annual Seniors Christmas dinner held in late November in partnership with the Kamloops Brain Injury Association, Better at Home and the Centre for Seniors Information.

   

Kamloops CRN Annual Seniors Christmas Dinner and holiday care package distribution. Photo credit: Kamloops Coordinator, Maureen Doll.

Beaver Valley CRN wrapped up another season of Wellness Wednesdays. The drop-in program runs from April through December and is designed to be a time of social connection to share resources and education over a hot meal. It has proven to be a lifeline for many that attend and provided the residents with a community center that didn’t exist before. Notable achievements this past year included expanding volunteer roles and recruitment, as well as an increased weekly attendance to nearly 40 participants, bringing the group close to maximum capacity. The program included weekly health checks by the community paramedic and various fundraising projects. Educational topics have included history, elder abuse, navigating health care, ageism and more. There have also been some new partnerships formed with other community organizations.

Starting the Year Right

Nelson CRN is continuing its annual support of the Drop-off Program; recently renamed to Good Food Drop Program in partnership with the Community Food Centre. Through this program, nutritious food boxes are delivered to at-risk seniors, families and individuals who face access barriers. Special recognition is given to customize select food boxes to dietary restrictions and cultural needs. BC CRN referral resource materials are often included. Volunteers are encouraged to take the See Something, Say Something workshops to better prepare them for delivering food packages to recipients each week, along with conducting a friendly wellness check. Community partners include: Kootenay Seniors, Nelson CARES Society and Nelson Seniors Coordinating Society. 

Cranbrook CRN is also continuing their ongoing Seniors Meeting Seniors program this year. Community members meet twice a month at the Seniors Hall for education, socialization and fun. Each session often includes a guest speaker, some gentle exercises, creative activities, door prizes and of course some refreshments. The program is designed to combat social isolation and educate folks on the various forms of abuse and neglect. A local coordinator has been hired to oversee the programming, advertising and updating the website. 

Learn and Connect With Us 

From September through May, the first Tuesday of each month, BC CRN hosts an online workshop featuring one of our four main programs. The next one is our See Something, Say Something workshop on February 4, 2025. Visit the events page to learn more and register for upcoming webinars. To request a presentation, see the Programs page or email programs@bccrns.ca.

We also feature regular Provincial Learning Events (PLE) . We are always on the lookout for relevant topics and resources to help navigate current issues impacting older and vulnerable adults and welcome your suggestions!

  • January’s PLE featured our provincial Seniors Advocate, Dan Levitt. Participants heard how BC is meeting the basic needs of older residents and what the Office of the Seniors Advocate will be focusing on this year. Watch all our past webinars on-demand here.
  • Coming up: February 18, 2025, we are excited to welcome Lisa Dawson, Vice President of Independent Long-Term Care Councils Association of BC (ILTCCABC). Go to our event page to register or learn more.  

Stay in the know by following us on Facebook or LinkedIn and signing up to receive our newsletter by filling out the form below.

 

 

© BC CRNs. All rights reserved. • Registered Charity#: 89342 3400 RR0001 • We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia • Privacy Policy