The head of the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Katzie Seniors Network for the past 15 years will be leaving for a new position.
Heather Treleaven is the new executive director of the BC Association of Community Response Networks, BCCRN.
Treleaven will be replacing the founding executive director Sherry Baker, who will be retiring March 31.
Her last day with the seniors network will be March 29.
“I am leaving the seniors network with tremendously mixed emotions,” said Treleaven, noting how the years have flown by since she accepted a coordinator position in 2009 from the late Bob Foster, another person who was well known for his contributions to the seniors community in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
Treleaven noted what an honour it has been to work alongside seniors, agencies, service clubs, non-profits, and all levels of government to make Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows better places to grow older.
“Together we have grown the seniors planning table into a fully registered society where older adults advocate for the change they would like to see and take action to bring initiative to life. So many opportunities have come to our communities because of the strength of our partnerships and dedication to collaborating,” she said, adding how proud she is of the work they have accomplished.
Under Treleaven’s watch, they secured the Age-Friendly Community designation from the province of British Columbia for both the City of Pitt Meadows and City of Maple Ridge, which recognizes local government’s dedication to improving its seniors’ health and well-being; they formed the Age Friendly and Dementia Friendly Community Task Groups; the Seniors Housing Task Group; provided monthly education workshops; produced the Seniors Resource Directory; Emergency Preparedness projects; secured the Seniors Community Bus; piloted the Seniors Outreach Worker position; and more.
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Treleaven’s other accomplishments include leading the construction of an innovative Intergenerational Garden in partnership with the City of Maple Ridge and School District 42 in which senior volunteers teach more than 400 students a year how to grow food; supporting the development of two local Men’s Sheds – grassroots organizations which build community and strengthen members’ mental and physical health; and she was awarded a Business Excellence Award by the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce for Community Spirit in 2023.
“I am going to miss the daily interactions with the seniors network members and those ‘ah ha!’ moments when one of them says, ‘if only we could…’ and around the table, eyes start to light up with ideas of how we can make it happen,” reminisced Treleaven.
For the past three years, as the executive director of the seniors network, Treleaven has been a member of the Community Response Networks for the Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and Katzie region and frequently worked with members on various initiatives.
“Heather brings a package of skills and experience that will enable BCCRN to not only sustain but build on its proven record of accomplishments in helping communities address elder abuse. Her background in communications is particularly important at this time when new forms including cyber-victimization of seniors are increasing,” said board chair Sue McIntosh.
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The Seniors Network is a non-profit, community planning table led by seniors for seniors in order to improve the health and well-being of seniors in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and Katzie First Nation.
No announcement has been made about who will be taking over Treleaven’s position. The board of directors is currently searching for the perfect candidate to make the role their own and help them move the organization forward. The position description is posted at seniors-network.ca.
The BCCRN grew out of the need to create an ongoing provincial funding and support structure for vulnerable adults at risk or experiencing abuse, neglect, or self-neglect. It provides small project grants, resources, and training which assist more than 80 local Community Response Networks in the work that they do.
The organization also provides provincial learning events on a monthly basis, and at the local level, it helps stakeholders take a coordinated approach in response to abuse, neglect, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults.
For more information go to: bccrns.ca.