Sonia Newman has dedicated over 25 years to Westside Health Network Society (WHNS), starting with a part-time position while her sons were growing up, and for many years now as the Executive Director. Having originally been raised in Boyle, Alberta, she has called the Central Okanagan home for 30 years. She is proud of her two sons and happy to be 含羞草研究社淏aba含羞草研究社� to two granddaughters. She is entirely committed to her organization含羞草研究社檚 mission of enhancing seniors含羞草研究社� wellness through volunteerism, education, referral and social programs in the West Kelowna and Peachland area and is looking for new volunteers that will make a huge impact.
含羞草研究社淚 found my passion,含羞草研究社� enthuses Sonya, who decided to take the gerontology certificate program at UBC to support her work. 含羞草研究社淭he organization became a society in 1991 and we have been growing for the past 33 years assisting seniors in the community.含羞草研究社�
Sonia along with Karen Northcott, the Coordinator of Volunteers, are the only employee, with all of the other services provided by incredible volunteers.
含羞草研究社淲e have volunteer drivers, visitors, tax clinics and a group that knits and crochets articles that are donated to the community,含羞草研究社� explains Sonia. 含羞草研究社淭hese volunteers make a huge impact for seniors as they navigate the system with the wish to remain in their own home in the community that they love.含羞草研究社�
Potential volunteer roles include Board Directors, Drivers who help seniors get around town and to their appointments, Volunteer Visitors who join seniors for a visit, walk or activity and Digital Device Tutors, who help participants stay connected through technology.
含羞草研究社淲e require Criminal Record Checks for most positions as people work directly with vulnerable elderly population,含羞草研究社� states Sonia. 含羞草研究社淥ur volunteers are caring, compassionate people who feel that they have made a difference in a senior含羞草研究社檚 life. For example, volunteers deliver Christmas packages to seniors living alone and there are always tears of joy as the seniors truly appreciate 含羞草研究社榯hat someone cares.含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫
Sonia highlights that WHNS also offers navigation services, helping with referral and connection to community resources for seniors, as well as an exercise program and a social program.
If you are interested in joining the WHNS team as a volunteer, connect with Karen at 250-768-3305 or email whns@telus.net. You can also find out more about the organization at .
Sonia herself volunteers as 含羞草研究社渋t is rewarding to know I made someone含羞草研究社檚 day and it gives me something to do in my retirement.含羞草研究社�
For more opportunities to share your time and passion, check out the VolunteerConnector.org. Impactful new positions are always popping up, including a variety of options with Kelowna Gospel Mission, Ozanam House, Project Literacy and for those already thinking of winter 含羞草研究社� Volunteer Ski Patrollers at Big White. Check out volunteerconnector.org for more info.
Dorothee Birker is the communications & development manager for KCR Community Resources.
