Don Crawford
VFR: Don, tell us about yourself and your previous role with New Chelsea Society.
Don Crawford (DC): For the past twenty years, my wife and I have managed Chelsea Tower, an eight-story building for seniors located on Sixth Avenue, in close proximity to Main Street. Chelsea Tower, a New Chelsea Society location, provides subsidized housing for independent seniors.
This experience has been both enjoyable and challenging, providing us with many opportunities for learning and growth. Prior to this, I managed "for-profit" apartment buildings and worked as a meat cutter for 25 years. As my wife and I enter retirement, we are looking forward to traveling and enjoying the peace and quiet that comes with this stage of life.
VFR: Tell us about New Chelsea Society: its history, mandate, and the need it fulfills in the community.
DC: New Chelsea Society is a registered charity and non-profit housing Society that provides safe, affordable housing units for independent seniors, seniors requiring additional supports, families, and persons with disabilities. The existence of the Society is based wholly on the provision of safe, secure, affordable housing in a close-knit community atmosphere of sharing and caring for one another.
In 1952, recognizing the need for affordable housing for WWII Veterans and their spouses and widows, five Branches of the Royal Canadian Legion in the Vancouver area founded the Society and contributed money that was matched by the government. A plot of land was purchased, and they built approximately 12 bungalows just off Fraser Street and 52nd Avenue in Vancouver.
Under the leadership of CEO Pat Buchanan for the past 21 years, New Chelsea has expanded to include 20 properties (1,450 units of housing), catering not only to veterans, but also to persons with disabilities, seniors, families, and staff. The society's motto is "Housing with Heart," and its ultimate goal is to provide "A Safe Secure Affordable Home for everyone."
Along with family housing and independent senior housing, we also offer specialized housing to meet the needs of our community. The Winch House is a disabled-accessible townhouse and allows free temporary accommodation for Canadian Forces members and their family members while they recover. The Kidney Suites, in partnership with the Kidney Foundation of Canada, is in downtown Vancouver and provides accommodation for those relocating to Vancouver to receive a kidney transplant or treatment. Additionally, there is The Happy Liver Suites, a partnership with the Happy Liver Society, that offers accommodation for those who must come to Vancouver for a liver transplant or treatment.
While staying with the New Chelsea Society, we offer our residents opportunities to get involved through game nights, sing-alongs, bus trips, and creative activities. The Society also hosts education and health-related programs to promote the safety and health of our residents.
New Chelsea Society is guided by several strategic directions, including being a progressive leader in the provision of affordable housing; to be respected and recognized leader in the community; and to preserve affordability for low-income households. You can learn more in our recent 2020/21 Annual Report.
VFR: Seniors may face specific barriers to regularly accessing healthy food. Tell us about some of the unique challenges older residents experience regularly accessing food.
DC: Senior citizens often face unique challenges when it comes to accessing food. Issues may include limited mobility and transportation, financial constraints, specific health conditions, social isolation, and mental health issues. To ensure that seniors have access to healthy, affordable, and convenient food options, a multifaceted approach is necessary that involves community support, education, and advocacy.
Importantly, the risk of food insecurity for Canadian seniors is actually cut in half as soon as they become eligible for Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Data shows this: accessing this funding is associated with, on average, a 15-percentage point drop in food insecurity compared to baseline numbers.
Research also shows that food insecurity leads to higher health care costs and increased utilization of health services, over and above regular poverty indicators. Put simply: when you are food insecure, your health deteriorates, and you need to go to the doctor more often. This study demonstrates that even small amounts of guaranteed annual income can have a potentially important impact on poverty among seniors and, in turn, costs borne by the rest of society, especially health care costs.
VFR: Don, you continue to keep the food donation program going for seniors in the building during your retirement. What keeps you invested in supporting residents experiencing food insecurity? How do these food donations help?
DC: As a senior myself, I am familiar with the physical, mental, and financial challenges that our residents face. This is why I am committed to providing them with assistance. Seeing the positive reaction on their faces when they receive food makes it all worthwhile. I hope that someday a new volunteer will be able to take on this food program, which helps our residents find purpose, nourishment, and financial stability as well as promoting their mental well-being.
VFR: As a society, what are some of the ways we can support seniors to live healthier, richer, and more fulfilling lives?
DC: I believe that organizations such as Vancouver Food Runners and Whole Way House are doing a great job in helping our seniors; although there is always more that can be done. Helping seniors with transportation to doctor’s appointments, exercise routines, someone to talk to, and shopping are a few ways to help seniors live happier, richer lives.
Areas where seniors may need support:
Encouraging regular physical activity
Keeping mentally active
Treating depression
Helping them feel useful and needed
Maintaining connections with family, friends, and community
Be the first to read our E-newsletter
Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter that arrives to your email inbox every other Saturday!