The Elim Connection, April 2023

STAFF SPOTLIGHT
KELLY
Hi, I’m Kelly! I’ve been working
at Elim Village Garrison
Crossing for over a year now. In that time I’ve
worn a few different hats, and you can now fi nd
me at the Hawthorn Concierge—a perfect role
for me. My passion for making people feel at home
suits this customer service-oriented role.
In the workplace, I aspire to come in and give my
best every day. Making a difference in someone's
day gives me immense job satisfaction, and I always
look for opportunities to do so. I'm also a team
player and love to support my colleagues.
One of the things that I love about working here
is the team spirit and support that we have. ELIM
is also aligned with my personal philosophy of love
and care for people, so it feels effortless to live it
out. In the last year, I’ve witnessed that the little
things in life bring immense happiness to many
residents, and I hope to one day achieve the same
level of contentment that many of them have.
In my spare time, I enjoy running, spending time
with my boys, traveling, camping, and hiking. I also
love to connect with friends. My life is full of my
husband, my two boys, our dog, and cat, and I am
grateful for the opportunity to work at Elim and be
a part of the lives of our residents.
JAPNEET
My name is Japneet.
I’m from India and came
to Canada in 2015 to study at Simon Fraser
University. I fi rst worked here at Elim Village
Fleetwood during the summer of 2019, as a co-op
student. When the four month co-op ended,
I was sad to leave and always wanted to come
back. Then when COVID hit in March 2020, extra
staff were needed, and I was able to come back!
I returned in a part-time capacity, which was
perfect, as I was still in school.
Then another amazing thing happened; my
studies completed at the end of 2020 and shortly
thereafter, a full-time position became available.
So now I am the permanent full time, Community
Life Receptionist and On-Call Scheduler. When I
think back on how my story at ELIM came to be,
I’m so grateful. It really seems like everything fell
into place, time and again, for me to work here.
When I chose to do the co-op in 2019, it was a big
decision, as it meant delaying my course work. But
I wanted the experience, and I think that was the
best thing I did! Because through it, I came to know
about ELIM.
I like everything about working here. I like the
two aspects of my job, because as a receptionist,
I learn about the residents, and as the on-call
scheduler, I learn about the staff. I fi nd that mix
very helpful. In my role, I try to make a daily
difference for residents. I want to make them
happy when they come to me, and make sure
they are heard. Providing the right answer to
their questions is important, and that’s what I try
to do. Some residents come to say hello each
day, and one resident calls me at 9:15am every
morning! I hear feedback that I am making a
positive impact, and that makes me want to do
it even more.
Every day when I leave work and head to the bus
stop, I am smiling. There's a sense of fulfi llment
in working here and helping others. I remember
one instance when I walked a resident back to
her suite, that instead of saying thank you, she
said “Bless you,” which made me feel so full of
joy. It's moments like these that make working
here…well, it feels more than just a job.
Outside of work, I live with my cousin and my
nephew, who is 8, and on weekends I like to
spend time with friends. I also talk to my parents
every day, who are back in India. Every single day,
I video call them. They have come to visit me a
few times, and I hope to visit India again soon,
although Canada is my home now.
NEW! FAMILY EDUCATION SESSIONS
Our Full Care team has initiated a new education series available for Full Care family members on a
monthly basis. These sessions provide valuable insights and knowledge to help families navigate the
challenges of caring for a loved one in a Full Care setting.
The topics covered in these sessions are thoughtfully chosen, with a focus on providing practical
information to help families make informed decisions and improve their loved one's quality of life.
Perhaps the best part of these sessions is the opportunity for families to connect with each other.
Caring for a loved one in Full Care can feel like a singular journey, but these
sessions offer a safe and supportive
environment for families to share their
experiences and support one another.
We are thrilled to see so many in
attendance so far, and we look
forward to welcoming new
members in the future.
An ELIM Full Care resident together with
a supportive family member.
8 THE ELIM CONNECTION SPRING 2023