WEAAD is our top event of the year and our CRNs pulled out all the stops. The province was painted purple with flowers, signs, banners, an official proclamation was read in the capital and purple lights contrasted the night sky!
We can’t possibly list all the events that went on throughout the month of June but we want to send a huge THANK YOU to all the CRNs and individuals that sent in pictures and reports and tagged us on Facebook. It was our biggest and best so far.
WEAAD Lights the Night – and the Daytime, too!
Ridge Meadows Katzie CRN held a Purple Pancake Breakfast for about 100 seniors at the Pitt Meadows Seniors Center. They were helped by Golden Ears Kiwanis volunteers who pitched in to prepare the pancakes. The CRN Coordinator spoke to the gathering about WEAAD and its origins, sharing information about adult abuse, neglect and self neglect. First responders from Ridge/Meadows RCMP and Pitt Meadows fire department were on hand and recognized for their frontline work concerning elder abuse. A local MLA and members of the Pitt Meadows City Council also attended.
Sparwood CRN volunteers were joined by some local Girl Guides to host an intergenerational Strawberry Tea during the annual Coal Miner Days Festival. Members of the Senior Citizens organization prepared fresh strawberry shortcakes which were served on tables decorated with purple flags and tablecloths. Local partners advertised the event for free and BC CRN materials were made available during the festivities.
Vancouver Grandview Woodland CRN, in partnership with GW Community Policing Centre, Frog Hollow’s Make It Program and others, sponsored a visual arts project around their neighbourhood and in front of the recently completed Healing Mural. The stunning results are on their Facebook page. They also showcased seniors via photo and written memories, and hosted talks on elder abuse, neglect and self-neglect.
Prince Rupert CRN and host association North Coast Immigrant & Multicultural Services Society set up at a local mall with their purple power and spoke to community members all day. Over 70 people stopped by to learn more and were given promotional materials.
Cranbrook CRN offered purple cupcakes for their WEAAD event at the Saturday Farmer’s Market. Coordinator Sandy Zeznik had lots of swag, cupcakes and cookies on hand. Not a surprise that a lot of people stopped by. Way to go, Sandy and Team.
In Sorrento, the South Shuswap CRN hosted a fun-filled picnic with food, lawn games and entertainment by the local Shuswap Singers. The SSCRN spoke to attendees about the prevalence of elder abuse in many communities and the need to keep seniors safe.
Ashcroft – Cache Creek CRN hosted an afternoon tea in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Seniors enjoyed iced tea, coffee, sandwiches, finger foods, scones and cupcakes. Information pamphlets were provided to all attendees and each person was given a few purple irises to take home and enjoy.
Vancouver Indigenous CRN held an event in partnership with host agency, Pacific Association of First Nations Women (PAFNW), at Oxford Park in Vancouver. The VICRN is located within the unceded territories of the Coast Salish, Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh. Volunteers handed out water and promotional materials to local residents while sharing the BC CRN mandate and listening to stories about community connection and concern. Proudly displayed on their purple tshirts was the beautiful message “Protect Indigenous Elders”. The event was coordinated by Erika Trube who is the Project Coordinator for PAFNW.
The Tri-Cities were in full WEAAD array on the evening of the 15th with purple lights on various civic and municipal buildings including Port Coquitlam City Hall, Port Moody firehall plus billboards, skytrain pillars, and much more. The purple lights reminded citizens “to make our communities safe for everyone – where adults are valued, respected and free from abuse and neglect,” says Ken Kuhn, Regional Mentor.
Vancouver Regional Mentor, Joanna Li, attended many CRN WEAAD events around the Lower Mainland, including assisting Coordinators and volunteers with presentations to staff and residents at a care home and an outdoor interactive event at Burnaby Central Park co-organized by the Chinese CRN and Mosaic. At the park, more than 200 seniors, volunteers and supporters built a nearly 1,000-square-foot, large-scale labyrinth with small stones on the lawn. Participants walked the labyrinth to destress and get in touch with nature. Ms Li also passed along this amazing compilation of purple lights in the night sky at BC Place, Canada Place, Vancouver City Hall, and Burrard Street Bridge (story cover image).
Saanich Peninsula CRN, in partnership with SHOAL Centre, had a WEAAD tea complete with scones loaded with jam and cream! CRN hosts presented a talk on Ageism and local community police officer Tim Cosgrove was on hand to connect with attendees in keeping with the organizers’ ongoing theme “Keeping Safe in Our Community.” The event was fully decorated with banners, tablecloths and decor, as well as promotional items at every place setting. Door prizes of promotional items, including a grocery voucher, were awarded.
In Creston and District, at-risk seniors and adults with disabilities in a low-income housing neighbourhood received a delivery of cupcakes accompanied by a bag of BC CRN resources and promotional materials in a reusable bag. Resource bags were also delivered to a number of clients through Better at Home. To complete the WEAAD celebrations, a Pride/WEAAD-themed event was held, complete with more cupcakes, resource bags and a Pride photo booth.
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