March News 2025
- CRPD UBC
- Mar 26
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 27
The Building Capacity Project Newsletter
BUILDING GENERATIONS, BUILDING TIES
The Building Capacity Project and our community partners have been hard at work the past few months, fostering meaningful connections, producing important resources, and learning from each other, as always. We’re thrilled to share the latest highlights with you!
Read on for details about what’s been happening, and the exciting opportunities coming this spring!
VANCOUVER
THE DEMENTIA CO-CREATION ACADEMY
VOLLEYBALL FUNDRAISER
In early March, the Dementia Co-Creation Academy (DCCA) hosted an intergenerational volleyball fundraiser at Burnaby’s Kitchener Elementary School. The event, spearheaded by twelve-year-old Mani Heydari, whose mom is a long-time DCCA volunteer, brought together players, supporters, and the public for a great cause. With an energetic atmosphere, friendly competition, and a table stocked with dementia-inclusive resources (and snacks!), the event successfully raised almost $500 towards the Academy and its outstanding line-up of programs. Co-founders Farhad Farhangfar and Faryar Mohammadi warmly welcomed attendees, ensuring everyone felt included and engaged. Special thanks go to school principal Dino Klarich and Mani’s teacher Erinn Kenney who were both so helpful in making the event happen.
The DCCA plans to organize another volleyball fundraiser in the warmer months—stay tuned for details!
UNITY BANDS PROJECT
The DCCA also kicked off their Unity Bands Project in February, a workshop featuring handcrafted unity bands designed by twelve-year-old student volunteer Salma Soleimani from Oman. These beautiful bands were distributed to all program members and supporters as a token of gratitude and connection.
To complement this initiative, Salma and her seventeen-year-old sister, Bentolhoda, produced an awareness-raising video called A Brain’s Journey, which highlights the health benefits of socialization, fun, and artistic engagement specifically for individuals living with dementia.
For more information, check out their Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/dementiacca
FLIPPING STIGMA MEETS SOUTH GRANVILLE
South Granville Seniors Centre hosted a Flipping Stigma training session in February for its staff and centre volunteers featuring beautifully designed Building Capacity Project cards that offer thought-provoking prompts and reflections around issues like stigma, finding hope and meaning, community capacity, and engagement. The Flipping Stigma training is an internationally renowned web-based resource developed by an Action Group of BC-based advocates. It offers insights and suggestions for responding to stigma around dementia.
The event featured special guest Myrna Norman, a dementia advocate who runs a Maple Ridge-based memory support group called Purple Angels.
Training event participants walked away fiercely inspired by Myrna’s passion for empowering people with lived experience, and keen to stay engaged and connected with the wonderful team at South Granville and its fearless leader, Executive Director Danna Garcia.
THUNDER BAY
RINGING IN LUNAR NEW YEAR
The North West Dementia Working Group celebrated Lunar New Year this past January with traditional crafts, cultural activities, and a feast of authentic Chinese dishes. The event featured paper-cutting, wooden blessing charm-making, and a special birthday celebration for members Maaja Sepa, Janice Atkinson, and Stephen Rutledge. Building Capacity Project Research Coordinator Jiaqi Li provided an insightful introduction to Chinese New Year traditions, making the event both educational and heartfelt.
ADVANCING DEMENTIA RESEARCH:
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SHOWCASE OF HEALTH RESARCH 2025
In February, members of CERAH and the North West Dementia Working Group (NWDWG) participated in the 2025 Showcase of Health Research, hosted by St. Joseph’s Care Group in Thunder Bay. New BCP team member Abbey Hunter offered a poster presentation on the Building Capacity Project (BCP), emphasizing the importance of inclusive spaces for people living with dementia. And the broader event facilitated meaningful discussions on belonging, purpose, and reducing stigma, reinforcing the role of research in fostering dementia-inclusive communities.
BAY VIEW TOWERS ENJOYS "THROUGH OUR EYES" PRESENTATION
The CERAH team and the NWDWG also delivered an engaging “Through Our Eyes” presentation at Bay View Towers in February as part of The Oasis Program. The “Through Our Eyes” presentation, led by the North West Dementia Working Group, highlights lived experiences as a means for promoting awareness of dementia-friendly initiatives, and current research efforts. This presentation was facilitated by Dr. Elaine Wiersma, Kassandra Fernandes, Abbey Hunter, and Jiaqi Li.
The team was very grateful to Susan Goodwin who shared her perspective as a care partner, and to Nicole, the Oasis coordinator, for her thoughtful handwritten thank-you card.
SEEDING RESILIENCE:
WINTER SOWING WORKSHOP AT SEEDY SATURDAY
On February 22, the Roots Community Food Centre hosted a Winter Sowing Workshop as part of Seedy Saturday led by Leola Palmer from Adelaide Butterfly Gardens and Dr. Elaine Wiersma. Participants learned sustainable techniques for starting seeds outdoors during winter. The event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts and share a passion for creating greener communities.
20th RESEARCH & INNOVATION WEEK AT LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY
Lakehead University’s research team has been presenting and sharing a great deal of their research work over the past few months. Maaja Sepa won a first prize SSHRC award for her poster presentation on the policy context of dementia inclusive communities, and members of the NWDWG—including Bill Heibein, David Glover, and Trevor and Janice Atkinson—shared their lived experiences in a panel discussion, emphasizing the project’s impact on community advocacy and social engagement.
The EnACT-Dem team presented their work on dementia-inclusive communities across Europe as well, exploring social connections, environmental adaptations, and policy engagement supporting individuals living with dementia. The event was a powerful reminder of how collaborative research can drive meaningful change in dementia care.
Lastly, Lakehead Research Coordinator Jiaqi Li won first prize in the Lakehead University Photo Contest for her submission in the History of Research at Lakehead category. The winning photo captured the Dementia Working Group accepting a $5,000 donation from Chartwell, marking a proud moment for dementia-inclusive advocacy.
UPCOMING EVENTS
THUNDER BAY
MARCH 28TH A NEW RURAL DEMENTIA CAFÉ
has launched at the Rural 60 Plus Active Living Centre, thanks to a partnership between NorWest Community Health Centres, CERAH, and the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay. This monthly gathering offers social engagement through music, art, and games, supporting individuals living with dementia and their care partners.
The next gathering will take place March 28th. For more details, visit NorWest Community Health Centres - Kakabeka Site Facebook.
REMEMBERING CLARA
Lastly, we want to take a moment to honour long-time dementia advocate and friend, Clara Evelyn Mersereau, who passed away very recently. Clara was an enthusiastic member of the North West Dementia Working Group and Dementia Café in Thunder Bay and made very close ties with some of the Vancouver Building Capacity Project team members over the years. She gave an inspirational keynote speech at the project’s opening event in 2019, and participated in many other community-building, awareness raising events over the years. She will be missed dearly. Here is the official write up on Clara:
Clara Evelyn Mersereau
1943 - 2025
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Clara Evelyn Mersereau, on Monday, March 17, 2025. Loving wife to Bill, Mom to Patti and Jo-Ann, Grandmother to Denzel and Garrett, and Great-Grandma to Lennon-Clara.
Clara was born in Little Bras D’or NS, and grew up in Wawa Ontario. She was an avid figure skater, and in the summer she would spend every free moment in Wawa Lake. She met the love of her life, Bill Mersereau and married in 1965. After living briefly in Toronto, they had their first daughter Patti in 1966. Then the big move to Thunder Bay where they welcomed their second daughter Jo-Ann in 1969.
After many years at home, Clara began working for the MNR, first as a tree planter, and then eventually at the MNR Tree Farm Nursery. When the tree nursery closed, at 50 years old Clara went to hairdressing school and worked for many years as a mobile hairstylist. She loved her work where she developed many lifelong friendships with co-workers and clients because of her compassionate style of listening and her guiding words.
When Clara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she became a champion for the cause. In cooperation with the Alzheimer’s Society of Thunder Bay and TBAYTEL, she graced many billboards and television commercials. She spoke up about the stigma associated with Dementia here in Thunder Bay and across Canada, even being a regular speaker on behalf of the Northwest Dementia Working Group at Lakehead University, of which she was very proud.
Clara is predeceased by her parents Jim and Nellie (Wall) King, her brothers Jackie, Frank and, Jimmy, sisters Bernie, Cassie, and, Jean, and niece Terri Ann King.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Bill, her daughters Patti LeBlanc (Dennis), Jo-Ann Mersereau (Darren), grandsons Garrett LeBlanc, Denzel LeBlanc (Tia), great granddaughter Lennon Clara, and many nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to the wonderful PSWs, RPNs, RNs, custodial, kitchen, and recreational staff of Southbridge Roseview-Celeste. The love and support we received from you, and the friendships we shared will be forever cherished. A special thank you to Clara Ann for watching over our Clara throughout her stay.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dementia Gardens: A Place to Grow
Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpler Times Cremation Centre, 575 Central Avenue, Thunder Bay.
“I may have Alzheimer’s, but it doesn’t have me”
Clara Evelyn Mersereau
There are so many more fantastic events to come as snow melts and daffodils bloom. Stay in touch to find out more about ongoing programs in your community, and to roll up your sleeves and get involved!
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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