ASC Community Service Scholarship Recipient - Madison Lust

She has traveled to Monaco to represent Manitoba at the International Tourism Case-Study conference. She has represented Canada on an International Girl Guide Tour to Switzerland. She takes on new challenges with determination and enthusiasm. She is a true trailblazer. And she is only 18 years of age. 

Thank you Madison and all the best in University.

Madison Lust has always felt an innate need to be involved in the community and to be of help to others. It’s an amazing quality to find in a teenager and, perhaps even more inspiring, this insightful young lady plans to continue on the path of altruism for many years to come.

Sturgeon Creek II Retirement Residence is among the many organizations Madison gives her time to. Every week at Sturgeon Creek II she leads a walking club, coaches Wii sports games and conducts a current events discussion on Saturday morning. “I learn so much when [the tenants and I] talk about current events,” explains Madison. “We compare ways in which we deal with issues today and how they would be dealt with in the past by a different generation of people…it’s mental stimulation for all of us!” This desire to connect with seniors, as well as her thirst for knowledge, has earned Madison one of the All Seniors Care Community Service Scholarships for 2012.

The purpose of the Scholarship is to provide financial help to talented and dedicated student volunteers. The Scholarship is open to any Manitoba student who has met the ASC Community Service Scholarship application criteria and is enrolled in post-secondary education. Even as she continues on with her schooling, Madison hopes to stay involved with Sturgeon Creek II for many years to come.

Wii Bowling action at ASC

“It is a great experience where you learn so many different skills. I used to be a very shy person. The tenants have welcomed me with open arms. This made me feel safe and helped me overcome my shyness.” She even recounts a story where a tenant told Madison she reminded her of her granddaughter. “It made me realize that we all lead such fast-paced lives, and sometimes families can’t visit their loved ones as often as they’d like. I realized then how valuable my volunteer work is.” Definitely a young woman wise beyond her years.

On behalf of All Seniors Care and the staff and tenants of Sturgeon Creek II, congratulations to Madison, and thank you for caring. You’re terrific!  

Outstanding Volunteer Award - Logan Ross and Enrico Capriotti

Old or young, male or female, quiet or outgoing, anyone can volunteer. Whether you want to explore interests and passions in a fun atmosphere, or learn and develop new skills for a job search, the benefits of volunteering are enormous. Just ask Logan Ross and Enrico Capriotti, two volunteers with All Seniors Care Living Centres. These two gentlemen are quite opposite in age and personality, but both share a singular goal of making a difference in the lives of the seniors they come in contact with, as well as enjoying the many benefits that come with volunteering.

Thank you Enrico

Enrico is an outspoken Italian with a passion for soccer, who also enjoys a friendly game of poker now and then. In fact, it was his knowledge of poker that brought him to Sturgeon Creek II Retirement Residence. When tenants expressed an interest in playing once a week, Enrico agreed to lead the game. The popularity of the event has grown by leaps and bounds. There is even a waiting list to participate, no doubt due to Enrico’s enthusiasm and friendliness. “The key,” says Enrico “is to just be like the people you are with. When we’re together, I’m just a friend visiting, having fun, playing a good game of cards…the time goes so fast and before I know it the game is done.”

Thank you Logan

Across the street at Sturgeon Creek I, high school graduate Logan Ross helps out weekly with bingo and bocce. Quiet, caring and committed, Logan loves to be involved, and bring smiles to the faces of the tenants he encounters. The tenants, in turn, are just as appreciative of his enthusiasm. As one resident states, “it’s so nice to see someone so young come out and give of his time the way Logan does.” Logan is eager to point out that he likes to volunteer at Sturgeon Creek I because, “the atmosphere here is great, everyone is so nice and easy to talk to…it’s fun!” Originally, Logan chose to volunteer in order to complete a high school requirement and earn a certificate. However, he developed such strong relationships with the tenants and staff that he continued on past graduation and plans to volunteer there for many years to come.

“What makes Enrico and Logan stand out is their unwavering commitment,” states Anna Dell’Acqua, Regional Volunteer Coordinator for All Seniors Care. “They are trustworthy and, most importantly, our tenants know they can count on them, no matter what.” This commitment, reliability and enthusiasm are only a few of the reasons why they were both selected to be recipients of the All Senior’s Care Outstanding Volunteer Award. “You have to care. You have to be there with your heart. You have to feel it,” Anna concludes. “These gentlemen have it!”

On behalf of All Seniors Care and the staff and tenants of Sturgeon Creek I & II, congratulations to Enrico and Logan, and thank you for caring.

Outstanding Volunteer Award - Josef Bader at Shaftesbury Park

It’s not every day you meet someone who you truly think will one day change the world. Yet, at Shaftesbury Park, an All Seniors Care Retirement Residence in Winnipeg, there is one such young man, a volunteer, who has many believing he just might.

Thank you Josef form everyone at ASC

His name is Josef Bader. To see the light in his eyes and feel the energy of his words when he talks about his life and, specifically, his volunteer work, you can’t help but feel that this is a person who embodies the term ‘inspiration’.

Josef grew up in Recife, Brazil. At 16 years, with only beginner English under his belt, he moved to Winnipeg on his own to attend an International School. Two years later, his parents and two brothers made the move to join him. Along with the educational reasons, the Bader family chose Winnipeg because of its strong Jewish community. At a time when they saw the Jewish population and influence decreasing in Recife, their faith, and desire to keep strong ties to their heritage, made the choice to move a relatively easy one.

It was, in fact, Josef’s religious traditions, plus a memory of a conversation with friends, that prompted him to cold call Shaftesbury Park to find out about volunteer opportunities. “I remember it was the Christmas holidays, and because my family and I don’t celebrate Christmas, I was looking for something to do other than just hang around home, watching TV.” Josef remembered some of his high school friends talking about how their grandparents live at Shaftesbury Park. So, he picked up the phone and called, hoping that maybe he could help out for a few hours one day. Little did he know that over the two week holiday he would be at Shaftesbury Park almost every day. And, that he would have many profound experiences that would solidify his desire to help people, particularly seniors. In fact, it was through his work at Shaftesbury that Josef became certain that medicine was the future he wanted to pursue. He is currently finishing up his second year of pre-med with plans of becoming a doctor. “The residents here tease me that I’m going to be their visiting physician one day,” he laughs.  “But I hope it’s true!”

Because of his selfless spirit and unwavering commitment, Josef is the recipient of an ASC 2012 Outstanding Volunteer Award. As well, because of his enrolment in post-secondary education, he is a recipient of an ASC Community Service Scholarship. The purpose of the Scholarship is to provide financial help to talented and dedicated student volunteers who, through thoughtful balancing of time available while pursuing academic studies, contribute their talents and skills to an All Seniors Care Living Centres Community.

In Josef’s case, to complete the scholarship criteria, he participated in a wide variety of volunteer activities; everything from helping tenants in the dining room, to teaching a group of seniors how to use Skype, to leading Jewish prayer services. “Every day is different and that’s what I love about it. And everyone is so friendly and they always smile and say thank you. I can tell that the time I’m putting in is being appreciated.”

His commitment to helping the community doesn’t stop there. Josef has also received numerous awards and honours including The Province of Manitoba’s Youth Leadership Scholarship in 2010 and was the Student Ambassador of the International Student Program from 2008-2010. He truly is a trail-blazer. One we are sure to hear much more about in years to come.

On behalf of All Seniors Care and the staff and tenants of Shaftesbury Park, congratulations to Josef, and thank you for caring.

Retirement Age rises from 65 to 67

Thursday's announcement appears to have solidified all the talk about raising the retirement age. For all individuals under the age of 54, collecting Old Age Security will begin at 67, up from 65. What do you think?

See an excerpt from a CBC article below.

* * * * *

Budget makes late retirement the new normal

By Kazi Stastna, CBC News

The news was not unexpected, and for those of Generation X age or younger, it was simply more confirmation of what they've been told most of their lives: expect to work longer and retire poorer than your parents.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced in Thursday's federal budget that the government is raising the age of eligibility for Old Age Securityfrom 65 to 67. The government had already hinted it would do so earlier this year, but made it official in the budget, saying it will phase in the changes over six years starting in April 2023 and won't apply the new rules to anyone born before April 1,1958.

See the rest of the CBC article here.

Source URL: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/taxseason/story/2012/03/29/f-budget-old-age-security--interview-woolley.html

LET THE SENIORS GAMES BEGIN

Welcome to the 2012 All Seniors Care Games

For the third straight year, All Seniors Care launched the All Seniors Care Seniors Games at 16 Retirement Residences across the country. The Games are part of the All Seniors Care commitment to providing seniors with innovative ways to develop and maintain an active lifestyle.

Day 1 of the Games kicked off with a bang and a piper! Excitement and anticipation was in the air as music played, guests were welcomed and the Queen was toasted at the Opening Ceremonies in residences across Canada. In Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Brandon, Winnipeg, Stratford, Ottawa and Gatineau-Aylmer, bagpipers piped in dignitaries and athletes alike, and the Games were officially declared open by the Chefs de Mission.

The Chef de Mission at Sturgeon Creek I in Winnipeg kept the smiles wide and the energy high. “The Games inspire people to unite. It’s so good for people to come together and keep active,” explains Jack Blowers. “It gives us all something to do, to look forward to…plus my wife loves it!”

Ceremonies were opened with letters of Congratulations from the Lieutenant Governor, Governor General, Prime Minister, and Premiers of each province. Participants were cheered on and accompanied by local celebrities, MLAs, city councilors, volunteers, families and friends.

“I have nothing but praise for these Games and All Seniors Care,” states volunteer Fran Rowlin. “My mom lived in [an All Seniors Care Residence] for 6 years. She recently passed away at 105. Volunteering is my way of giving back to the place where she had so much care.”

Since Feb. 6^th coincides with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, during the Opening Ceremony, residents and guests also participated in a singing of “God Save the Queen” followed by a special toast, given by the Chef de Mission.

Later in the day, athletes walked and wheeled their way to fun and better health. An inspiring 1,000+ walkers wheeled, strolled, paraded, and even danced through the hallways, going as far as they could and having endless fun. Throughout the course, walkers chatted with volunteers, encouraged each other on, and read quotes from Her Majesty about Canada. 98 year old Cecil Southgate truly embodies what it means to be an athlete at these Games, “I may be one of the oldest walkers here,” he proudly states. “But I’m still doing it!”

From Alberta to Quebec, hundreds of seniors across Canada will be taking part in the Games this week. The Games run until Feb. 10^th and any spectators and participants are welcome!

For further information, please visit our website at www.allseniorscare.com or contact:Joshua Kuhl, Senior Executive Vice-President of Operations
e-mail: jkuhl@allseniorscare.com or call 416.929.1328

Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to benefit and support others in your community

"The heart of a volunteer is not measures in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others."