Humans of Burnaby

Neighbourhood Connector Volunteers

"Through the Collingwood Neighbourhood House, we signed up as ‘neighbourhood connector volunteers’. Our role is to help connect other seniors with the programs and events available to them. Fred receives email updates from his connections and I look at the newspapers for events. We love it.

Since we speak English, Mandarin, and some Cantonese as well, we can help a broad range of seniors. Some seniors want to stick to what they’re comfortable with - like going to the grocery store and then back home; however, we love encouraging people to go out. We bring seniors out from Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond and Vancouver to various events around Greater Vancouver.

Some worry about leaving their home because their English is not good. But we tell them that it’s a multicultural society where everyone is treated equally so they shouldn’t be afraid. Even if they learn one new word every day, it’s still good. What’s most important is that they go outside, connect, and not stay alone. It’s not healthy for their minds. We need more free activities for seniors such as cooking classes, conversation groups, and one-day field trips. Not every senior can afford to pay for ticketed events.

Every year, we apply for a free bus pass, which is offered to seniors with low-income by the BC Government. There needs to be real bus-times at the stops. Seniors don’t always have a cellphone to text and find out the bus times."