Spring 2026 Newsletter

This winter we received more calls from lonely seniors than ever before. People have called us seeking support for their loved ones: families whose relatives were booked for euthanasia, someone who came across our flyer in a seniors’ home, and a grandmother who is being evicted from her home. Through it all, our seniors calling service continues to be a light in the darkness for seniors who feel they have no one and nothing left. Now winter has slipped away and spring is here. Can you share the newly designed postcard with someone you know or who could pass it on? We know that seniors will use the calling service but we need you to help us expand our reach. Please share this information with your groups, contacts, and community centres in your area.

Please contact us to order postcards at info@beingwith.org or call us at 519-439-6445

One senior who was mistakenly booked for euthanasia received advocacy support from our team. With the help of his loving family, he decided not to proceed. He recently passed away naturally, and his funeral is next week. His family shared these words with us, “He passed away, thanks be to God, by a natural death, and thanks to you and your help.” Another call came from a church member concerned about a fellow parishioner who needed help. Our helpline fields these calls. Once assessed, each case is triaged based on need, and we assist each caller as best we can.

We also hear regularly from seniors who receive weekly calls from our volunteers. One participant shared, “I am thankful for all the volunteers who connect with me on the telephone and also who come and visit for coffee at my home.”

Our Connecting with Seniors program is a simple yet effective way to reach seniors who otherwise spend their days with little to no human interaction. Our Program Coordinator for the program, shared, “I have witnessed first-hand the change that takes place with a senior who receives a call. Repeatedly, I hear phrases like, ‘I am so happy to hear your voice today’ or ‘this weekly call means so much to me, especially with my depression and loneliness.’” This service is available for people aged 55+ who may be socially or physically isolated and are looking for support or simply a friendly person to talk to. It provides regular check-ins by phone or Zoom with seniors who may not be able to receive in-person visitors.

Also reflected, “If I hadn’t experienced first-hand what it means for a senior to make a connection with a volunteer, I would not have known the enormous difference it makes in their lives. It is as rewarding making the call as it is for the senior receiving the call. We are truly making a difference—one senior at a time.”

We are also excited to announce that, thanks to a grant from the Archdiocese of Vancouver, Compassionate Community Care (CCC) will be expanding our calling service to British Columbia and growing our local outreach there.

CCC has been invited to participate in a number of events across Canada, including one in May that will reach youth across the country. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our life-affirming message with people who deeply care about the well-being of their elders and the future of Canada. Below is a picture captured at a recent speaking engagement in the Greater Toronto Area. One young participant came up to me during the presentation and exclaimed, “Wow that was amazing, I can’t believe this organization is doing this work!”

On hearing about our Being With My Story training program, another young man shared, “I’m going to call my grandmother after this.” When I asked him which one, he said “both.” Please contact us if you would like a speaking engagement in your community. We appreciate every opportunity to share our programs and training with communities across the country.

As we witness spring unfold, I ask you to consider making a donation to CCC. Your generosity supports our training programs and allows us to reach more Canadians in times when they are vulnerable and in need of compassionate support. With your help, we can continue to curb the tide of loneliness one senior at a time, one call at a time. We can protect people by caring and we continue to empower others to do the same. Thank you for your consideration of this request and for your continued support.