Welbi Heroes

This month, Nancy Venema, Life Enrichment Coordinator at Holland Home, explains how activity programs have changed over time and why she’s still passionate about her career after more than thirty years in the field.

Rebekah has worked at Middlesex Terrace, an APANS Health Service long-term care community in Delaware, Ontario, for fourteen years. This month, she shares how she plans her activity calendar to keep residents engaged and boost program attendance. 

This month, Director of Life Enrichment Travis Bruntz shares how he revamped his activity calendar to meet the needs and interests of a new resident population at Healthwin. Travis worked in education for twenty years before he began his career in senior living. He has now been a Director of Life Enrichment for about one year. 

This month, Lisa Moorhead explains how she develops innovative activities for Comox Valley’s award-winning recreation program. Comox Valley, a Berwick retirement community in BC, has been an important part of Lisa’s life in the sixteen years she’s held her position.

For Therapeutic Recreation Month, Jill Kelly shares her advice as a Recreation Therapist on how you can boost resident engagement in your community. Jill got her start in senior living working as a health care assistant. She wanted to spend more quality time with the residents, so she made a career change.

We’re happy to introduce you to Melissa Milford, our first Welbi Hero of 2022! Melissa is an Activation Aide at Algoma Manor. She started at Algoma as part of the housekeeping team, but as she got to know the residents better, she was inspired to improve their lives.

Christina Branch is a resident assistant at Shepherd Village, a seniors’ community in Toronto, Ontario. Christina got her start in the senior living industry when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a career change. Thanks to the chance she took, Christina found her calling.

Robyn is the Activity Coordinator at Marina Point Village, an Autumnwood community in North Bay, Ontario. Before she got her start in senior living, Robyn had always worked with children and youth. She started out as a PSW but found herself intrigued by the activity department.

Jennifer is a Director of Recreation at The Crofton Manor, a Revera retirement community in Vancouver, B.C. She has fifteen years of experience working in Revera communities, and she’s held her position at Crofton Manor for five years.

Jennifer Wasden, recreation manager at Sunridge Gardens, has devoted years of her life to improving the health and wellness of older adults. With an impressive twenty-one years of experience, Jennifer is an industry veteran.

Meet Jacqueline Siemens, active living manager at Berwick on the Park and Welbi's Hero of the Month! Find out how Jacqueline is making every day an adventure for her residents in beautiful Kamloops, B.C.

Welbi is excited to introduce Rachelle as our first Hero of the Month as part of a series we’re launching to shine a spotlight on recreation professionals who go above and beyond for their residents.