Helping the community away from front lines
Volunteer keeps isolated seniors connected
There are many heroes fighting in the COVID-19 trenches — nurses, doctors, first responders, teachers, grocery clerks and bus drivers to name a few. All deserve credit for risking everything during the pandemic. Also, there are heroes like 76-yearold Winnipeg resident Shirley Canty, who is busy helping the community away from the pandemic front line.
For several months last year, the former executive director of the Manitoba Motor Dealers Association reached out to members of the St. James Assiniboia 55+ Senior Centre for weekly wellness checks. Canty also coordinated a walking group prior to Manitoba’s November lockdown. She also volunteered as a greeter at a COVID-19 testing site. She’s currently helping out with a ukulele club, a weight loss group, and a medical focus group.
“Volunteering makes me feel good, and you don’t have to be 55 to belong,” she said with a chuckle. “But we tell people, if you do join us and you’re under 55, you’re going to be with older people. So don’t expect hip-hop.”
Canty said isolation is a big problem among senior centre members, many of whom are shut-in out of an abundance of caution. They miss socializing and participating in on-site programs.
“A lot of our members are single,” she said. “I’m widowed, have been for many years. So of course there’s loneliness, and what’s really sad is a couple of our members had their only adult child pass away. That’s really sad to hear. Peoples’ routines are shot, just all of a sudden, and that’s the hardest part.”
Canty is also learning new technology to optimize her community outreach.
“I’d never heard of the word Zoom before the pandemic,” she said. “Now I’m on Zoom constantly. I added it up last week. From Sunday to Friday I had 10 zoom meetings. It’s nice to see peoples’ faces.”