In October, the BC Association of Community Response Networks (BC CRN) will host its 2025 provincial conference, Community Roots, Collective Strength: Preventing Adult Abuse Through Connection.
The event runs October 7–9, 2025, at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, B.C.
Held once every three years, the provincial conference offers a rare opportunity for our entire team of to gather in person, and provides valuable relationship-building opportunities, particularly for CRN Coordinators and Regional Mentors.
It’s a time to learn from one another, strengthen relationships, and celebrate the collective impact of our work across British Columbia.
What to Expect at the 2025 BC CRN Conference
The conference begins on October 7 with an evening reception, offering a relaxed space to reconnect after travel, meet new colleagues, and enjoy entertainment and refreshments.
This warm welcome sets the stage for two days of learning, inspiration, and connection.
“There is tremendous value in coming together in person,” said Executive Director Heather Treleaven. “These days provide us with a chance to share knowledge, explore new ideas, and also to strengthen the relationships that form the foundation of our work.”
Keynotes and Special Guests
The conference features an exceptional lineup of speakers. On Wednesday morning, the event will open with a keynote from B.C. Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt. His speech will address pressing issues affecting older adults, with a focus on abuse, neglect, and self-neglect.
Attendees can expect both a thoughtful analysis of the challenges ahead and an inspiring call to action about how communities can work together to ensure safety and dignity for older adults.
That same day, there will be a panel discussion of CRN Coordinators on Building Strong Partnerships That Make a Difference, allowing them to share how they’ve developed partnerships that truly work in their unique settings.
These first-hand stories from fellow CRNs will spark ideas and show how strong local collaboration can lead to measurable impact.
Wednesday afternoon features a presentation from Dr. Kyra Garson of Thompson Rivers University.
An award-winning researcher and educator, Dr. Garson will lead a discussion on Exploring Responses to Diversity, which will invite participants to reflect on their own assumptions, biases, and experiences, and explore how becoming more aware of these influences can help create more inclusive, connected, and supportive communities.
We kick off Thursday morning, with a welcome address from Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long Term Care, Susie Chant.
Chant brings decades of experience as a nurse and community leader, and her presence underscores the provincial government’s recognition of the important role CRNs play when it comes to adult abuse prevention.
After this, participants will dive into a collaborative case study session, It Takes a Community to Prevent and Respond to Adult Abuse and Neglect. This interactive discussion will highlight how different partners, including the RCMP, Public Guardian and Trustee, and Seniors First BC work together to respond to cases of abuse and neglect.
The session promises to be both practical and eye-opening, giving coordinators a deeper
Later that morning, Jodie McDonald, an integrative body psychotherapist and educator, will deliver the keynote, Beyond the Bubble Bath: Self-Care in Human Service Work.
McDonald will unpack the myths of self-care and guide participants toward practices that are truly restorative. For coordinators and mentors whose work can be emotionally demanding, this session will offer practical tools for resilience and renewal.
Emcee Spotlight: Maria Turnbull
Guiding participants through the three days of this conference will be emcee Maria Turnbull, a respected leader with more than 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector.
Turnbull’s expertise in governance, organizational development, and management, combined with her warm and engaging presence, will help keep the program running smoothly and energetically.
Why It Matters
The 2025 BC CRN Conference is more than just an event. It’s a chance to strengthen the collective identity of BC CRN and build the relationships that make our work possible.
CRN coordinators are on the frontlines of preventing adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect, and this conference provides invaluable tools, fresh perspectives, and practical strategies you can put to use in your community.
What’s more, this year’s theme, which focuses on community roots and collective strength, underscores what makes BC CRN unique, as each local network is rooted in its own community, but together, our strength comes from collective action.
