When Cathy Holmes joined the BC Association of Community Response Networks (BC CRN), she brought an exceptional depth of experience, unwavering compassion, and an enduring commitment to improving community life.
And while she’s relatively new to the role of Regional Mentor for Central Vancouver Island, Cathy has been both directly and indirectly connected to BC CRN for nearly a decade.
What’s more, Cathy has years of experience working with various charities and community organizations, which makes her exceptionally qualified to fill this role.
Foundations of Community Advocacy
Cathy’s relationship with BC CRN began over a decade ago when she became the “Better at Home” Program Coordinator in Nanaimo, where she also took on the role of the local BC CRN Coordinator.
Over the next six years, she continued to serve in both capacities, launching and establishing a strong “Better at Home” program in her community.
Later, she transitioned to the parent organization of “Better at Home”, where she played a key role in expanding this program to dozens of communities across British Columbia.
This program, aimed at providing support to help seniors remain independent at home, ignited Cathy’s passion for elder care and community advocacy.
Through this project, she became acutely aware of the challenges faced by older adults, and this laid the foundation for her enduring dedication to community service.
Over the years, each community Cathy worked in has presented its own unique challenges, which has not only deepened her passion for this work, but also helped Cathy develop her problem-solving skills and knowledge of community engagement.
Taking the Lead as a Regional Mentor
After working as a regional coordinator and collaborating so closely with other BC CRN members and dedicated community workers, Cathy is uniquely positioned to maintain continuity in this role, while also offering fresh perspectives.
In her current capacity, Cathy sees herself as a “communication conduit” who can help bridge connections among diverse stakeholders, community groups, and service providers.
Among other things, she makes a point of proactively facilitating dialogue, ensuring clarity in complex conversations, and encouraging collaborative planning.
Advocacy Inspired by Personal Experience
Cathy’s passionate advocacy is profoundly rooted in her personal experiences.
As a survivor of intimate partner violence, she understands the challenges associated with leaving these kinds of relationships, and the complex emotions that accompany these situations, particularly when abuse is perpetrated by family members or trusted individuals.
Cathy openly discusses the significant difficulties faced by victims, especially older adults, who may struggle to recognize or admit their circumstances.
This deep understanding fuels her drive to educate people in the communities where she works and compassionately support victims of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect.
“I think that it’s really critical that we recognize that it’s more than just getting the knowledge out there,” Cathy said. “It’s dealing with the ramifications of self-change and what that looks like to an individual and holding space for them in that way.”
Recognizing and Addressing Subtle Abuse
One of Cathy’s key challenges involves helping communities recognize subtle forms of abuse, which are often overlooked or misunderstood.
Victims frequently experience confusion and profound emotional pain when confronting their situations, and this is a big part of the reason why awareness and education are essential components of her approach.
Despite these challenges, Cathy remains hopeful, and she emphasized the unique opportunities for BC CRN within smaller communities like Tofino, Ucluelet, and Gabriola Island.
“In some of the smaller communities where BC CRN is really impactful, it’s because they also sometimes are like the only gig in town for this kind of work, as there are limited social services in the area,” she said. “So, it’s important to be able to recognize that BC CRN fills a gap in these smaller communities in a much bigger capacity than some of the larger communities.”
Building and Rebuilding Community Networks
Currently, Cathy is working to re-establish and expand BC CRN’s presence within Nanaimo.
She sees this as a prime opportunity to revitalize local networks and enhance community outreach, particularly within Indigenous communities.
Cathy is deeply committed to culturally sensitive engagement, understanding the necessity of respectful collaboration rooted in the acknowledgement of historical and systemic traumas experienced by these communities.
“I’m really, really interested in putting together something for the First Nations community,” Cathy said. “First Nations communities must have a place where they can ask their difficult questions and the CRN can come and walk alongside with them.”
Addressing Emerging Social Issues
An emerging issue Cathy has identified as critical within her region is hoarding.
Recognizing this growing problem, she emphasizes the need for collaborative, community-driven responses that bring together various stakeholders.
Cathy believes strongly in holistic solutions, combining education, practical support, and partnership-building to effectively address complex social issues like hoarding.
Personal Interests and Community Connections
Beyond her professional commitments, Cathy maintains strong personal connections within her community.
A passionate sailor, Cathy finds solace and joy on the water, joking that her comfort and balance aboard her sailboat often far exceeds that on dry land.
Moreover, family is central to Cathy’s personal life, and while she feels she doesn’t get to spend nearly enough time with them, she deeply values the time she spends with her four grandchildren.
Media Involvement and Community Engagement
One particularly surprising aspect of Cathy’s background is her extensive involvement in media production.
For many years now, Cathy has produced the radio show Act3 on CHLY 101.7 FM, as well as a variety show of the same name that airs on Rogers Television.
She said that while the show is for everyone, and appropriate for all ages, it aims to establish a connection with older adults, many of whom may be socially isolated, by helping them to feel more connected to the community at large.
Reflections on CRN’s Impact and Aspirations
Reflecting on her role and the broader impact of BC CRN, Cathy highlights the immense value of community education, collaboration, and proactive intervention.
She firmly believes in the CRN model, seeing it as an effective framework for addressing and reducing incidents of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect.
To those considering volunteering with BC CRN, Cathy warmly encourages participation, highlighting the rewarding nature of the work.
“As a volunteer, you get the opportunity to be present for someone in a way that is very intimate. It’s an opportunity to, again, hold space for somebody who may not otherwise have the right resources to get themselves out of that situation,” she said. “So, if a person believes that they can make a difference in another person’s life, they should consider being part of the CRN.”
