“The true measure of a society is how it cares for its most vulnerable citizens.”

Jeanette Robertson may be new to SSSBC’s volunteer board of directors, but she is no stranger to issues facing seniors. She has worked in long-term care, mental health, and hospital social work, as well as conducted research on elder abuse, and taught social work at Thompson Rivers University and the Nicola Valley Institute for Technology. Now semi-retired, she remains committed to academic and service pursuits. She teaches health promotion in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University and recently retired from Langara College where she co-created two gerontology credentials, and continues to be involved in multidisciplinary/interdepartmental research.

Given the nature of her work, Jeanette had crossed paths with SSSBC over the years. Some of her Langara students had practicum placements here, while other graduates were employed with SSSBC.

“My high regard for staff and the organization only grew after corresponding with and observing them at various community events and delivering presentations at conferences,” said Jeanette. “I knew my students were inspired by their work and passion for the older adults they serve. When I entered semi-retirement, I planned to engage in service, and SSSBC was the first option on my radar.  As it happens, Alison Silgardo [SSSBC’s CEO] and Kyoko Takahashi [now retired Director of Operations] approached me to see if I would be interested in joining the board, and I did not hesitate to pursue the opportunity.”

For Jeanette, volunteering is about purpose, engaging in service, staying connected with community, and having her finger on the pulse of an organization serving seniors. She hopes by sharing her knowledge and experience regarding risk and protective factors related to aging, resilience, and anticipated issues facing seniors she can assist SSSBC in its pursuit of continuing to grow and enhance services to older adults.

“SSSBC helps vulnerable older adults who are unhoused or requiring critical support to continue to age in place,” noted Jeanette. “There are unhoused people who are securing homes, and individuals who are able to age in place because of the services they access through SSSBC. I am inspired by hearing the stories of peoples’ quality of life and security being greatly improved as a result of the life-changing work of SSSBC.”

Jeanette hopes to use her background in health promotion to strengthen the organization.

“Understanding resilience, risk factors, and the protective factors that people have in their lives is imperative. This affects how we assist people with respect to healthy aging and longevity. As our aging population continues to grow, we must ensure people have a quality of life.”

Jeanette is passionate about being part of an organization that provides grassroots community services.

“We’re in dire trouble if we don’t maintain and enhance community-based services for older adults. As a society we need to continue to invest in these services to meet the needs of a growing population of older adults,” she said. “We have reached a critical turning point with respect to our struggling health-care system and availability of sufficient long-term care placements. It is said that the true measure of a society is how it cares for its most vulnerable citizens. We mustn’t forget the lessons we learned during the pandemic about the exposed weaknesses within in our community and health infrastructure and the dire impact this had on the lives of vulnerable older adults. We can and must do better.”