The Building Capacity Project Newsletter
Happy 2025! We hope you had a restful holiday season, and that you’re starting this new year off with fresh resolve and excitement for building and empowering dementia inclusivity in your community.
Here’s what’s new at the Building Capacity Project!
VANCOUVER
BETA TESTING THE BCP ACTION GUIDE
After a year and a half of powerful collaboration, the Building Capacity Project’s Community Action Team is ready to pilot the Action Guide we’ve developed. Beta testing starts now!
This resource filled with best practices for building out community initiatives to support dementia inclusivity, will be distributed to our community partners for feedback and suggestions. We want to ensure the guide is as thorough and practical as possible. Stay tuned for the final published version coming this spring!
In the meantime, check out this short video with more details.
SUNSHINE COAST WELCOMES MYRNA NORMAN
Renowned Dementia Advocate Myrna Norman presented an inspiring and deeply moving brain health workshop to the Sunshine Coast community at Harmony Hall in Gibsons this November.
Co-hosted and organized by the Gibsons Seniors Society and the Sunshine Coast Resource Centre, the event, entitled “Dementia Myths and Misconceptions” catered to almost fifty community members, covering key themes like experiencing dementia symptoms and seeking answers, approaching major life decisions, and finding a community where you can express yourself, grow, and feel joy.
BCP’s Visual Communications Designer, Samantha Sierra Pineda, was on hand as the official Media Producer, BCP Community Research Director Andréa Monteiro facilitated the event, and Community Research Coach Ania Landy was also on hand to support our community partners in the smooth roll out of what turned out to be an energizing and engaging afternoon.
KITSILANO NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE
HOLDS MEMORY BUDDY CELEBRATION
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House (KNH) hosted a Memory Buddy Program Celebration at the end of November for program volunteers, participants, and key members of the community. Roughly twenty-five people attended the event which included roundtable discussions, and a volunteer appreciation component, followed by lively informal conversation and refreshments.
Community Programmer Braelyn Dillon made personalized journals for the memory buddies to keep track of meaningful visits with their buddy, to use as a personal reflection tool, and which, long term, will be a helpful way for KNH to understand the Buddy Program’s impacts on people’s day to day lives. The roundtable discussions included a warmup exercise using the BCP cards, and a reflective exercise that gave attendees a chance to share what the program meant to them and discuss future possibilities. Everyone received a personalized card, “Merci” chocolates, and a poinsettia as a gesture of gratitude.
WARM WELCOME
FOR SOUTH GRANVILLE SENIORS CENTRE'S
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR!
The Building Capacity Project is very excited about South Granville Seniors Centre’s new Executive Director, Danna Garcia. We’ve worked with Danna over the years in many capacities and know first-hand how fantastic she is. Here’s a special message from Danna herself on what this new role means to her:
From Programs Manager to Executive Director: A Heartfelt Journey
Six years ago, I joined South Granville Seniors Centre as the Spanish Outreach Coordinator while pursuing my Business Management degree. What started as a part-time job quickly became much more—a place where I felt a deep sense of belonging. From day one, I was inspired by the joy, resilience, and warmth of our seniors.
After completing my studies, I was promoted to Programs and Volunteer Coordinator, then Programs Manager. Along the way, I had the privilege of learning from exceptional leaders who shared their knowledge and passion for this Centre. These experiences shaped my understanding of what it takes to serve our community with care and purpose.
When the opportunity arose to step into the Executive Director role, I felt ready to embrace the challenge. After thoughtful consideration and interviews, the Board entrusted me with this incredible responsibility. I am deeply honored to continue building on the legacy of this Centre, which has become my second home.
My vision is clear: to create an inclusive, welcoming space where seniors feel valued, celebrated, and supported. Their wisdom and contributions are the foundation of our community, and it’s my mission to ensure they have access to resources, connection, and opportunities that enrich their lives.
I am excited to lead South Granville Seniors Centre into its next chapter, committed to honoring the past while building a future filled with compassion, connection, and growth.
DCCA PROGRAMS ARE THRIVING!
The Dementia Co-Creation Academy hosted a sewing activity November 23rd at Rideau Retirement Residence that drew over 25 people living with dementia and their care partners. Their volunteer artist, Foroozan Taleifard, along with help from a group of dedicated volunteers, led a fabric phoenix-making activity and participants were invited to take home their creations as a keepsake from the experience.
On Jan 8th, DCCA offered a Brain Health workshop at Rideau Retirement Residence presented by their community partner Karen Tyrell from Dementia Solutions.
They’ve got additional exciting sessions planned for the third and fourth Saturdays of each month happening from now until the end of May.
To learn more, please visit dccacademy.ca
ASK FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY KICKS OFF COMMUNITY CAFES
ASK Friendship Society is starting a regular community café this year to help discover both opportunities and gaps in programming to improve the quality of life of the older adults they serve and offer respite to care partners.
They’re looking for “a broad and diverse perspective on future programs and services” and your input is welcome and invited!
The first event is happening Wednesday, February 5 from 10:30-12:30 at Kerrisdale Presbyterian Church. If you’re interested in participating, please reach out to them at commengagement@askcentre.ca or by phone at: 778-558-2421.
THUNDER BAY
THUNDER BAY RINGS IN 2025
It’s often been said that our friends in Thunder Bay know how to party, and this New Year’s Eve was no exception. Over thirty folks gathered at the beautiful, historic Urban Abbey church to enjoy live music and dancing, games and even a playroom for the kids. If this party is any indication of the trajectory for this year, things are looking bright!
NORTH WEST DEMENTIA WORKING GROUP
CELEBRATES A BABY ON THE WAY
The November meeting of the North West Dementia Working Group took a slightly different direction this time around as they celebrated the soon-to-arrive baby of one of their cherished team members. BCP Knowledge Broker Carlina Marchese and her partner Andrew were showered with community love and a lively (and hilarious) game of charades as they prepared themselves for the arrival of their little one. “People were saying how amazing it is for them to have students who then become staff, and to be able to be part of people’s lives like that, especially where there’s a baby coming, which is a significant milestone,” said BCP Project Co-Lead and CERAH Director Elaine Wiersma. “Everybody’s really excited.”
CERAH CONFERENCE 2025: AGING THROUGH THE LIFE CYCLE
The Centre for Education and Research in Aging and Health is hosting an Aging Through the Life Cycle conference in October 2025 at Thunder Bay’s Superior Inn Hotel and Conference Centre. Exploring topics like Aging in Place, Dementia and Seniors’ Mental Health, Indigenous Peoples’ Aging and Health, and Palliative Care, the conference will feature plenary sessions, interactive workshops, poster presentations, and an Indigenous arts and crafts show. Three hundred delegates from healthcare, research, education, and community sectors are expected to attend.
Calls for abstracts for oral presentations, workshops, and posters are open from now until February 28. For more information, please visit https://cerah.lakeheadu.ca/2025-cerah-conference/
UPCOMING EVENTS
THUNDER BAY
JAN 30th Dementia Gardens Speaker Series
The Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health is hosting a Dementia Gardens Speaker Series this winter starting next Thursday, January 30th from 2:00-3:00 EST. (And 7:00-8:00 pm EST virtually.) The series, entitled “A Place to Grow” will focus on sharing personal experiences from the North West Dementia Working Group to help raise awareness, share wisdom, and reduce stigma. The first event will kick off with Leola Palmer from Adelaide Butterfly Garden introducing her garden. For more information and to register for the event, click here.
The Building Capacity Project team is so grateful to all the amazing people who have made these events and initiatives possible, to all those advocating for—and as—people with lived experience of dementia, and to the community champions tirelessly driving progress and inspiring others to get involved.
Thank you for reading and please check back every two months for more updates!
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