People of Perley - Joan Olinik

For Joan Olinik, volunteering at Perley Health is more than an act of service—it's a calling rooted in deep gratitude and compassion. Over the past 11 years, Joan has dedicated herself to improving the lives of Seniors and Veterans, finding fulfillment in every moment she spends as part of the Perley community.

Joan's journey with Perley Health began in 2013 when her father, a Veteran, moved to Perley. Witnessing the exceptional care, he received inspired Joan to volunteer shortly after his arrival. She started by assisting residents with meals and escorting residents to activities, quickly becoming a familiar and friendly face.

Her contributions extended far beyond the day-to-day. Joan joined several key committees, including the Veteran Residents Council, the Family and Friends Council Executive, and the Quality-of-Life committee as well as the Health and Safety committee. She also lent her voice to the Ethics committee and Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) committee. Her unique perspective as a family member became invaluable when she participated in interviews for job applicants, helping to ensure that future staff members shared the values that make Perley Health exceptional.

Joan cherishes many special memories of her time at Perley Health, but one stands out as a testament to the compassion and care of staff. Her father, who had only a grade three education, loved writing poetry and had even compiled his work into a book of poetry. As his dementia progressed, he forgot that he was the author of these writings. One evening, during a shift change, Joan arrived to find a personal support worker (PSW) reading her father's poetry to him. Her father, captivated by the words, remarked, “Oh, isn't that beautiful poetry.” It was a deeply emotional moment for Joan—not only because of her father's joy but also because the PSW took the time, even after her shift had ended, to share this special experience with him. “How can you even express fully what that means to a person?” Joan asks.

One of Joan's many impactful contributions came in 2017 when she advocated for a safe pedestrian crosswalk on Russell Road. Teaming up with Veteran resident Doris Jenkins, Joan mobilized the community and worked closely with city officials, Mayor Jim Watson and Councillor Jean Cloutier, to make the crosswalk dream a reality. The crosswalk, commemorated as a tribute to Canada's Veterans, officially opened in July 2017. The extended time that the crosswalk alerts continue can be credited to Joan who advocated with the city to ensure safe passage for members of the Perley Health community, including those with mobility challenges.

Her tireless efforts earned Joan many awards of recognition including the Perley Health Volunteer Advocacy Award in 2017. The next year, Joan received the “Bravo Zulu” pin from Ron Buck, Vice Admiral (ret'd) and then Chair of the Perley Board of Directors, recognizing her ongoing advocacy and outstanding efforts as a frontline volunteer. In 2021, Joan was a member of the part of the Perley Health Family and Friends Council Executive Team that received the prestigious June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism. 

More recently, Joan has expanded her efforts to Perley Health's Senior Living apartments, where she organizes BINGO, coffee club and other activities, bringing joy to independent residents. For Joan, the Perley isn't just a care home; it's a family—a place where everyone, from staff to volunteers to residents, looks out for one another.

 

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"When you walk through the door it's joyful, truly joyful. It's a really blessing to be part of the group here. Knowing the staff, the Veterans and the other volunteers really gives me a lot of pleasure and I feel fulfilled.” - Joan Olinik, Volunteer