September 2026

Message from the CEO

As we celebrate Volunteer Week at Care BC, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to every volunteer who gives their time, energy, compassion, and heart to support our organization and the people and communities we serve. 

Volunteers are the foundation of strong, caring communities, and Care BC's volunteers are exceptionally dedicated and compassionate. When you deliver a meal through Meals on Wheels, you make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors and their caregivers and families. These individuals rely on your support, connection, and kindness. By contributing your unique skills and compassion, you create an impact that extends far beyond the hours you give. 



Volunteerism has also played an important role in my own life and leadership journey. I am a volunteer as well, and I have learned firsthand that volunteering is not simply about giving back; it is about building community, forming relationships, learning from others, and becoming part of something larger than ourselves. Some of my most meaningful experiences have come from working alongside people like you, who are driven by a shared desire to help others. Those experiences have shaped my leadership, strengthened my empathy, and deepened my understanding of selfless service to the community. 

People volunteer for many reasons, including personal growth, connection, and a desire to contribute. What makes volunteering truly impactful is when it is grounded in empathy and a genuine commitment to helping others. At Care BC, we are fortunate to be surrounded by volunteers whose focus is on creating positive outcomes for the people and communities they serve. That selflessness is both inspiring and transformative. 

At Care BC, we are proud of our mission to support healthy and connected communities, and we know we could not achieve that mission without you. Your generosity of spirit strengthens our organization and enriches the lives of the people we serve. You bring compassion where it is needed most and help create a sense of belonging for those who might otherwise feel isolated. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, leadership team, staff, and the countless individuals whose lives you have touched, thank you. Thank you for choosing to share your time, your talents, and your caring spirit with Care BC. 

As we celebrate Volunteer Week, please know that your contributions are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated. You inspire us every day and remind us of the extraordinary difference people can make when they come together in service to others. 

Sylvia Ceacero, MBA MA MCRM

CEO, Care BC

Older Adults – What Lies Beyond the Age 

At Care BC, we believe that every older adult deserves to age with dignity, purpose, and connection. Older adults are defined by far more than their age. They are parents, grandparents, neighbours, mentors, volunteers, friends, and community builders. They are people whose experiences, wisdom, resilience, and contributions enrich our lives and strengthen the fabric of our communities. 

As our population ages, conversations too often focus on increasing demand for services and supports. While addressing those needs is both necessary and important, we must never lose sight of the people behind the statistics. Every older adult has a unique story, meaningful relationships, and aspirations for how they wish to live, age, and continue contributing to the well-being of those around them. Healthy aging is not simply about extending years of life; it is about ensuring those years are lived with dignity, choice, purpose, and belonging. 

I am reminded of the words of Barbara Findlay, a colleague and a fierce advocate for older adults whose recent passing leaves a profound legacy: 

“Age should never define a person's worth. Older adults continue to contribute knowledge, resilience, leadership, caregiving, and community connection throughout their lives. Recognizing and valuing these contributions is essential to creating communities where everyone can age with dignity and belonging.” 

These words reflect a truth that guides our work every day. Older adults are not passive recipients of care. They are active contributors to our families, neighbourhoods, workplaces, and communities. They are caregivers, mentors, volunteers, leaders, and advocates whose presence and participation create stronger, more compassionate communities for everyone. 

This belief is shared by everyone at Care BC. It shapes how we design and deliver programs, informs our strategies, and influences every decision we make. Beyond supporting independence, our work is grounded in respect, compassion, and a commitment to helping older adults remain connected to the people, places, and activities that matter most to them. 

Through Care BC’s actions, you can see the impact of our commitment on the people we serve. The stories they share celebrate their lives, their achievements, and their resilience and inspire us all. Their collective story tells a larger story: one of dignity, connection, and the collective responsibility we share in creating communities where everyone can age well, remain engaged, and continue contributing in meaningful ways. 

At Care BC, we are honoured to be part of that journey. 

2026 年 9月

CEO 寄语 

在 Care BC 庆祝志愿者周之际，我想向每一位志愿者表达最诚挚的感谢。 

感谢您一直以来付出的时间、精力和爱心，陪伴并支持 Care BC，以及我们所服务的长者、照顾者、家庭和社区。 

志愿者是一个充满关怀的社区中不可或缺的一份力量。Care BC 的志愿者们一直以热心、耐心和真诚的态度帮助他人。每当您通过 Meals on Wheels（送餐到户）为长者送上一份餐食，您带来的不仅是一顿饭，也是一份关心、一份陪伴和人与人之间的联系。 

对于一些长者和他们的家人来说，您的到来可能是一天中非常珍贵的时刻。一个亲切的问候、一句简单的关心，都能让他们感受到自己并不孤单。您所付出的时间和心意，对他们的生活有着远远超过一顿餐食的意义。 

志愿服务在我的人生和领导工作中也一直有着重要的意义。我自己也是一名志愿者。通过参与志愿服务，我亲身体会到，帮助别人不仅是在回馈社区，也是认识新朋友、与他人建立联系、向不同的人学习，并成为社区的一份子的过程。 

我人生中许多最有意义的经历，都来自与一群同样关心他人、愿意为社区付出的人一起工作。这些经历让我更加懂得体谅和关心他人，也让我更深刻地认识到，为社区服务可以为自己和他人的生活带来多么深远的影响。 

每个人选择成为志愿者的原因都不一样。有人希望帮助别人，有人希望认识更多朋友，有人希望学习新的技能，也有人只是希望为自己生活的社区尽一份力。但无论原因是什么，真正让志愿服务变得有意义的，是我们对他人的关心，以及愿意伸出援手的那份心意。 

在 Care BC，我们非常幸运，能够拥有一群如此热心的志愿者。您始终把长者、照顾者以及社区中有需要的人放在心上。您的付出不仅帮助了他人，也让我们的社区变得更加温暖、更有联系。 

Care BC 的使命，是支持建立一个健康、互相连接、彼此关怀的社区。我们深知，如果没有志愿者的支持，我们无法实现这一使命。 

您的每一次送餐、每一次问候、每一次陪伴，都在传递关怀，也在帮助那些可能感到孤独的人重新感受到人与人之间的联系和社区的温暖。 

我谨代表 Care BC 董事会、领导团队和全体员工，也代表无数曾经因为您的帮助而受益的人，向您说一声： 

谢谢您。 

谢谢您愿意把自己的时间、才能和爱心带给 Care BC，也带给我们所服务的每一位长者、照顾者和家庭。 

在这个志愿者周，让我们一起向每一位志愿者致敬。请知道，您的付出一直被看见、被珍惜，也被我们深深感激。 

您每天都在提醒我们，当人们愿意伸出手、彼此帮助时，即使是一个小小的行动，也可以为另一个人的生活带来很大的不同。 

Sylvia Ceacero, MBA MA MCRM

Care BC 首席执行官

长者，不只是年龄的定义 

在 Care BC，我们相信，每一位长者都值得拥有一个有尊严、有目标、有联系的晚年生活。 

长者的身份和价值，从来不只是由年龄来定义。他们是父母、祖父母、邻居、导师、志愿者和朋友，也是社区建设的重要一份子。他们所积累的人生经验、智慧和坚韧，以及一直以来对家庭和社区的贡献，让我们的生活更加丰富，也让我们的社区更加紧密。 

随着人口逐渐老龄化，我们谈论长者时，往往容易把重点放在对服务和支持不断增加的需求上。关注这些需求当然非常重要，也十分必要，但我们绝不能忘记数据背后的每一个人。 

每一位长者都有自己独特的人生故事、珍贵的人际关系，以及对未来生活的期望。他们都有自己希望如何生活、如何老去，以及如何继续为身边的人和社区带来贡献的想法。 

健康老龄化并不只是让生命延续得更久，更重要的是，让人生的每一个阶段都能够拥有尊严、选择、目标感和归属感。 

我常常想起同事 Barbara Findlay 曾经说过的话。她一直积极为长者发声和争取权益。她最近离世，但她留下的影响和精神将继续陪伴我们：

“年龄从来不应该定义一个人的价值。长者在人生的不同阶段，始终能够贡献自己的知识、韧性、领导力、照顾他人的能力，以及与社区建立联系的力量。认识并珍视这些贡献，是建设一个让每个人都能够有尊严地老去、并拥有归属感的社区的关键。” 

这些话体现了一个一直指引着我们工作的信念：长者并不是被动接受照顾的人。 

他们积极参与我们的家庭、邻里、工作场所和社区生活。他们可以是照顾家人的人、导师、志愿者、社区领袖和倡导者。他们的参与和付出，让我们的社区变得更加坚强，也更加充满关怀。 

Care BC 的每一位员工都认同这一理念。它影响着我们如何设计和提供服务，融入我们的工作规划，也影响着我们所作出的每一个决定。 

除了帮助长者保持独立，我们更重视尊重、关怀，以及帮助长者继续与对他们最重要的人、地方和活动保持联系。 

通过 Care BC 的工作，我们可以看到这份承诺为服务对象带来的真实改变。他们分享的人生故事，展现了他们走过的岁月、取得的成就以及面对生活挑战时展现出的坚韧，也不断激励着我们。 

每一位长者的故事汇聚在一起，也讲述着一个更大的故事：关于尊严、人与人之间的联系，以及我们每一个人共同承担的责任。 

我们都有责任一起建设一个让每个人都能够健康地老去、继续参与社区生活，并以自己有意义的方式继续贡献力量的社区。 

在 Care BC，我们很荣幸能够陪伴长者走过这段人生旅程。 

Health & Home Care Society of BC

604-733-6614 | info@carebc.ca | www.carebc.ca