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On July 15, 2026, Brian Simpson, our dear friend, late President Emeritus, and one of Compassionate Community Care’s co-founders, passed away. A family man, businessman, community leader, farmer, and friend are just some of the words many people have used to express their esteem and high regard for Brian and his work. What set Brian apart was his ability to truly listen to the people he spoke with. He was a busy, industrious, and accomplished individual, yet he was always more concerned about you—what you were going through, your experiences, and your story.

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We are deeply grateful for Brian’s role in the launch of Compassionate Community Care (CCC) in 2010 and his continued involvement in its direction and growth since then. Compassionate Community Care extends our sincerest condolences to Joanna and the Simpson Family.

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Our core model and training program, the Being With My Story Volunteer Visitor’s Training is a pragmatic, positive and genuine response to the pressing cultural need across Canada: to be with others when they need it most. Our training forms what Brian modelled himself: spend time, show real care and provide meaningful support for others. Through our being with training and patient advocacy programs, we remind anyone who feels alone, depressed or abandoned that you are not alone—you matter and there is a community that supports you. Thank you Brian for your significant, kind and impactful work. We will always honour and remember you.

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Each person who calls CCC is provided with a compassionate ear with real support. I would like to share about three specific instances CCC recently was involved in. To begin with, CCC provided in-person and advocacy support for Roger Foley, a man who has been in a London hospital for almost a decade, providing him with nutritional assistance, feeding and visiting during a critical time of illness while facing a life-threatening infection. He is doing better and recovering slowly thanks to support he has received. Secondly, CCC advocated for a woman in hospital whose POA was being ignored, enabling him to ensure her needs and wishes were being met; soon after, the patient successfully returned home. Thirdly, a daughter reached out to us for support for her parent who is suffering complicated grief years after the euthanasia death of her family member. CCC provides light and hope where there is often darkness and despair. 

How to Save a Life

Compassionate Community Care provides real support to the wider community with ongoing consultations, in-person and online training, education and resources to help save lives. Just recently, CCC had an article featured in print and online, highlighting How to Save a Life. We are often asked when someone wants to die and they are considering or offered euthanasia, what should they do? Reach out to Compassionate Community Care’s Helpline: 1-855-675-8749. Also, please ensure you listen, care and act. In a moment, your life-affirming response to a question about someone wanting to end their life through euthanasia (aka MAiD, Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada) will be the difference between a life saved or a life abandoned. Do not abandon your loved ones and friends. With a caring word, thoughtful expression, hope-filled call, there is a return to life and, as many have expressed, another chance to redeem a hopeless situation with life-affirming support. Be the difference, offer hope, a listening ear and real companionship.

We are grateful to share that through the direct guidance of Compassionate Community Care (CCC), a 100-year-old great-grandmother was recently rescued from euthanasia. Her great-granddaughter contacted our helpline after learning that euthanasia had been scheduled just two days later. Although thousands of kilometres away, the great-granddaughter was able to advocate for her great-grandmother, and this intervention helped save her life. Stories like this demonstrate the urgent need for CCC’s work. Our team provides compassionate support to individuals and families facing difficult end-of-life situations, connecting them with counselling, pain management, emotional and spiritual support, community resources and advocacy.

Seniors Calling Program

CCC also builds compassionate communities across Canada through volunteer visitors, advocacy support and our Seniors Calling Program, which provides free phone or Zoom companionship for socially or physically isolated seniors aged 55+. One senior shared his experience with CCC’s Seniors Calling Program:

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Kathy Matusiak Costa and her children, visiting Costis in Ottawa

“I am deeply thankful I found Compassionate Community Care. The support, encouragement and companionship I receive have been a true blessing in helping me cope with loneliness, isolation and depression. I especially appreciate the volunteers who call me each week. Their kindness and friendship mean so much to me. My sincere hope is that CCC will continue to be there for seniors during times of crisis and need. Thank you to everyone at CCC for your kindness, dedication and commitment to reaching out to seniors who are lonely and isolated. May God richly bless you all.” – Costis, Kanata, ON

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We are looking for volunteers to make calls—and seniors to receive them. To participate, contact outreach@beingwith.org or call us at 519-439-6445.

‍Looking Ahead

This fall, CCC is expanding its outreach through new educational resources, workshops and initiatives for caregivers, pastors, community leaders, volunteers and others supporting people and families through difficult circumstances.

We appreciate your support, please consider making a donation today!

Sincerely yours,

Kathy Matusiak Costa, Executive Director

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