Your Guides to Life at PARC: Our Friendly Resident Ambassadors
in Life at PARCWritten by PARC Retirement Living
It’s always easier to move to a new home when someone is there to welcome you in, offer camaraderie and show you the ropes as you settle into your new environment.
That’s why at PARC we have appointed a wonderful group of volunteer resident ambassadors, who are here to help you get adjusted to your new surroundings – and make new friends too!
Our ambassadors are not only personable and helpful, they’re also well versed in PARC’s unique offerings such as our PARC Active LivingTM program. They can introduce you to staff members and neighbours, recommend classes and excursions, and they’ve lived here long enough to understand the key differences between independent living and other types of senior living environments, such as assisted living, continuing care and provincially funded senior living environments.
These folks are actively involved in the community too, and frequently showcase PARC’s dynamic lifestyle and health benefits at events we sponsor around town. If you haven’t had a chance to meet our ambassadors yet, read on to get to know a few of them, or book a tour at your local PARC residence. They would be happy to meet you and show you around!
Meet a Few of our PARC Ambassadors
Our ambassadors are generous, lively and truly happy people who are passionate about their communities and life at PARC. Florence, for example, who lives at Oceana PARC, loves people and their stories, and that’s what inspired her to start volunteering as a PARC ambassador.
Florence’s icebreaker for new residents is a good one… She tells them they don’t need to remember everyone’s name right away. “They are relieved about that, and also when I offer to be available if they need something,” she says. Florence often recommends the line dancing classes if residents are looking for activities to fill their schedules. “It’s a good form of exercise, and it’s a lot of fun.”
Four years ago, Mary Mucholtz was contemplating a move. She knew a few people at Oceana PARC, and they convinced her she’d be happy there. Luckily they were right! Now, as a volunteer ambassador, she helps others find their happy place too. “I introduce myself and offer to help where I can,” she says. “It has kept me in touch with new residents and I get to know some of them on a more personal level.”
“This has become my home, a place where fellow residents have become like family.”
– Jenny R, Oceana PARC
It’s a similar story for Jenny, who’s had six happy years at Oceana PARC. Jenny wanted to share her joy with others, so she started volunteering as an ambassador. “This has become my home, a place where fellow residents have become like family,” she says.
For Pat MacNaughton, volunteering as a PARC ambassador was more about providing others with reassurance during the transition to a new home – a move she herself found a bit overwhelming. Volunteering had always been part of her life, so she started helping out at PARC’s open houses. Nowadays, she welcomes PARC prospects and new residents with a warm smile and a hello. “Volunteering has been – and is – part of my life,” she says. “The rewards are endless and I am the benefactor.”
Sandy Fesiuk loves that being a PARC resident has allowed her to meet new people, make new friendships, share stories and create new experiences. So she, in turn, works to help new residents by “familiarizing them with the many activities, routines, schedules and opportunities available.”
“I like to be able to step up, say hello and be of assistance.”
– Wendy W, Cristalina PARC
It’s only been six months since Wendy moved into Cristalina PARC in Kelowna, but she’s already extolling its benefits to her friends. “I bring a lot of friends here to see the place and have a meal,” she says. “They’re all so happy to see me settled and enjoying the community.” It was a natural extension for her to start volunteering as a PARC ambassador, and she already has a lot of stories to share. “I’m a happier person here, it’s been the best thing I could have done,” she says. “I like to be able to step up, say hello and be of assistance.”
Another Cristalina ambassador, Nancy, has seen many new residents move to Cristalina PARC because of the general feeling of camaraderie that has shaped the young community. “There’s a sense of ‘you’ve got my back’ among people,” she shares. She appreciates the opportunity to expand her network of friends, too – “especially at an age when friend groups start to diminish. I get to count my gains, not just my losses.”
Cristel from Oceana sums up the experience of volunteering as an ambassador at PARC: “I feel I am supporting a wonderful community and I love feeling valued as a resident.”
Thanks to our ambassadors and all of our incredible residents, the community isn’t just a concept at PARC – it’s truly a way of life. Our resident ambassadors have succeeded in making our communities warmer and more amiable by sharing their passion and support for all.
Whether you’re new or just visiting, there’s always a friendly face ready to say hello, lend a hand and help you feel right at home. It’s a pretty great way to live.