Minister’s Seniors Service Awards

An individual or couple, of any age, who provides volunteer service, demonstrates philanthropy, or outstanding service to seniors.

An Alberta business or corporation that exhibits excellence in innovation or philanthropy in support of Alberta’s seniors.

An Alberta non-profit organization that exhibits excellence in innovation or outstanding service to Alberta’s seniors.

The Special Service Award highlights a different area of importance each year.

• Stronger at Every Age – for an individual, group or organization that creates inclusive, accessible and connected communities where older Albertans can age well.
  • This includes building age-friendly infrastructure, improving accessibility and transportation, fostering intergenerational connection, reducing social isolation and integrating local services that help seniors remain active and independent.

An individual or couple 65 years or older and has:

• been volunteering in their community for 20 or more years
• actively promotes volunteerism and / or
• has had a provincial impact through their volunteer efforts

This award is given in honour of Alice Modin who, more than 30 years ago, campaigned for a Seniors’ Day in Strathcona County, and paved the way for the provincewide Seniors’ Week we celebrate to this day.

• Contribute time to assist seniors or seniors-serving organizations.

• Provide financial support to seniors or seniors-serving organizations.
• Motivate others into philanthropic giving, through leadership and encouragement.
• Lead, organize and support fundraising activities.

• Create programs or services to address essential needs of seniors in the community, such as food security, emotional supports, transportation, or technology.
• Develop new ways for Albertans to connect with seniors.

• Demonstrate outstanding commitment and dedication to serving seniors.

Ansh is a highly engaged service-oriented volunteer for two facilities of Covenant Health. Beginning as a visitor screener at the Misericordia Community Hospital in 2020, he quickly became aware of the profound impact social isolation can have on seniors in care. Inspired by this experience, he later founded Project Care, an initiative designed to connect seniors living in care facilities with volunteers to foster meaningful social connections across generations. 

Ansh led the recruitment efforts and orientation of a roster of students to participate in the project. He led fundraising events and established a board of eighteen executive members overseeing all areas of the organization. Since its inception, Ansh has led Project Care through initiatives within and outside of Covenant Health facilities that have decreased residents’ social isolation, increased participation in activities, and fostered a strong sense of identity and emotional well-being. Staff and families of the residents observed noticeable positive changes following events, including a general heightened sense of mood and atmosphere in the facility. 

Ansh’s empathy, vision, and dedication have enriched the quality of life for many older adults in his community and has inspired other young volunteers to engage meaningfully with seniors. His work demonstrates how thoughtful, compassionate service can bridge generations and create moments of dignity, joy, and belonging for seniors.

Janet Gobert is a dedicated community leader and Chief Executive Director of the Bonnyville Friendship Centre, where she has led the development of inclusive, accessible programs that support seniors across the Lakeland region. 

Her work focuses on ensuring seniors of all backgrounds—Indigenous, non-Indigenous, Métis, newcomer, rural, and 2SLGBTQ+—feel welcomed, respected, and connected to their community. Under her leadership, the Centre has become a vital hub offering a wide range of services tailored to seniors’ needs. This includes a community kitchen that provides free, nutritious meals and skill-building cooking programs, alongside on-site mental health and crisis support to help individuals meet both immediate and longer-term needs. 

She has expanded outreach into care facilities and seniors housing, ensuring those with mobility or health challenges remain engaged. Janet has also advanced cultural revitalization initiatives, including Cree and Dene language programs for Elders, and supported intergenerational connections through youth involvement and community activities. 

Her efforts have reduced isolation, improved access to essential supports, and strengthened community belonging for hundreds of seniors. Janet Gobert’s leadership has created lasting, inclusive systems that enhance seniors’ safety, dignity, and overall quality of life.

Yvonne Ruys, through sustained volunteer service and community leadership, has contributed to the wellbeing and social inclusion of seniors in Strathmore. Her long-standing involvement with the Strathmore Happy Gang Society, including service as Director, Vice President, and currently secretary, has strengthened the organization’s capacity to serve local seniors. 

Yvonne plays a central role in organizing programs and events that bring seniors together in a welcoming and inclusive environment, while also supporting grant applications, local business donations, and fundraising initiatives that have resulted in facility improvements and maintained affordable membership fees. These efforts have enhanced both accessibility and participation for seniors across the community. 

In addition, her involvement with the Strathmore Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary supports broader community initiatives benefiting seniors, veterans, and their families. Known for her consistent, reliable leadership and practical support, Yvonne contributes to the smooth operation and long-term sustainability of the organizations she serves. Her work helps ensure seniors in Strathmore have ongoing opportunities for connection, participation, and support. Collectively, her contributions strengthen community infrastructure for older adults and reinforce Strathmore’s reputation as a senior-friendly community.

Building Brains Together is a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing cognitive health, reducing social isolation, and supporting seniors to age well through innovative, research-informed programming. Working in partnership with the University of Lethbridge, the organization bridges academic research and community service to deliver accessible and engaging programs tailored to older adults. 

Its “Strengthening the Aging Brain” program combines interactive education on topics such as memory, stress, sleep, and lifestyle with guided brain-training activities designed to build cognitive function and confidence. Programs are carefully structured to be inclusive for seniors with varying abilities, while also creating a strong focus on social connection, peer support, and community engagement. The delivery model intentionally engages seniors as contributors, leaders, and knowledge holders, not passive recipients.

The organization has expanded delivery across multiple sites and built partnerships with local organizations to strengthen reach and sustainability. Participant feedback and formal evaluations show improvements in cognitive skills, confidence, and overall well-being. Building Brains Together’s innovative and evidence-based approach is helping seniors remain independent, active, and meaningfully connected within their communities.

The Evergreens Foundation is a well-established nonprofit supporting seniors across west-central Alberta through housing, community-based services, and a strong commitment to dignity, safety, and connection. It plays an essential role in helping older adults remain independent and engaged within their communities. 

In addition to its everyday services, the Foundation has demonstrated exceptional leadership during multiple wildfire emergencies: Jasper/Chetamon in 2022, Edson and Yellowhead County in 2023 and Jasper in 2024. The Foundation coordinated evacuations for entire seniors communities, ensured continuity of care for vulnerable residents, and provided tailored support addressing medical, mobility, and emotional needs during displacement. Its approach reflects strong planning, communication, and coordination, with a focus on maintaining dignity and stability for seniors even in crisis situations. 

The Foundation’s impact extends beyond immediate response, supporting recovery and helping seniors and families regain confidence and routine after disruption. Its ability to consistently deliver both high-quality daily services and effective crisis response demonstrates a rare combination of preparedness, resilience, and leadership. The Evergreens Foundation stands out as a highly impactful organization that strengthens communities and ensures seniors are supported through both everyday life and extraordinary challenges.

GEF Seniors Housing, Alberta’s largest nonprofit provider of seniors social housing, strives to create welcoming, affordable communities where seniors can live with dignity and thrive. Across Edmonton, GEF provides safe, affordable and well-maintained homes to 4000 seniors across 43 communities. Throughout the organization, volunteers support social programming, recreational activities, and relationship building for residents who may experience social isolation. 

GEF believes that volunteer retention is essential for program consistency, fostering trust, familiarity and a sense of belonging for residents and is seeing steady and significant increases in volunteer engagement and community participation. 

In January 2025, the organization also launched the GEF Employee Volunteer Program which provides all full and part-time employees with 7.5 paid volunteer hours annually. Through this initiative, employees have contributed 345 volunteer hours to organizations such as the Bissell Centre, Edmonton Food Bank, Terra Centre, and United Way. 

Over the past several years, GEF has expanded its community partnerships, nearly doubling the number of community and school organizations engaged. These partnerships bring programs directly to seniors homes and communities providing residents with access to services, activities, and supports that enhance their health, wellbeing, and social connection. A highlight of these partnerships is the Bridging Generations partnership with Harry Ainlay High School, where students and seniors meet regularly and build meaningful relationships while students document the seniors’ life stories. 

This project culminated in public showcases at Southgate Mall and Edmonton City Hall and was recognized at the United Way Red Tie Gala. GEF’s holistic, community centered approach delivers meaningful positive impact for seniors and the broader community.

Josh Bellingham is the Digital Services Manager at Kneehill Adult Learning Society, a nonprofit Community Adult Learning Program serving the rural communities within Kneehill County. He is widely recognized for his kindness, patience, and his ability to translate complex technological concepts into clear, accessible lessons for seniors, while consistently respecting the dignity of every individual, regardless of ability or pace of progress. 

Josh has designed and delivered practical educational sessions that enable seniors to access the internet, navigate essential online services, and stay connected with family and friends. A cornerstone program he designed is “Is it Legit? Call before you click!”, designed to protect seniors from online scams and fraud through awareness and by providing a safe place to ask questions. He ensures equitable access by offering in-home support, office hours, virtual assistance, and one-to-one instruction, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to supporting seniors in an increasingly digital world. 

A trusted and welcome presence in the community, Josh’s work has strengthened the effectiveness of the organizations he supports and has profoundly improved the confidence, independence, and wellbeing of seniors throughout Kneehill County. His dedication exemplifies outstanding service and has made a lasting difference in the lives of those he serves.

Young Hearts Old Souls (YHOS) is a youth-led non-profit organization that evolved from a grassroots response during the COVID-19 pandemic into an established organization fostering intergenerational well-being. In partnership with the Happy 50+ Association, volunteers aged 11 to 18 help reduce social and digital isolation among seniors, particularly those facing language and technology barriers. Through one-on-one support with Zoom, smartphones, and WeChat, YHOS enables seniors – especially immigrant seniors – to stay connected with family and access virtual programs, including bilingual wellness activities. 

YHOS promotes physical activity and community engagement through intergenerational initiatives, including a project supported by the 2026 Jack Leslie Youth Environmental Grant. Youth and seniors worked together to rehabilitate approximately 500 square metres of land and participate in biodiversity monitoring, providing meaningful opportunities for seniors to remain active and engaged in community stewardship. 

Working alongside partners including the Calgary Public Library, Kerby Centre, and the City of Calgary, YHOS has built a sustainable model of intergenerational service and connection. Through more than 1,200 volunteer hours contributed by over 40 youth volunteers, YHOS has reduced isolation, improved digital literacy, and strengthened community participation among seniors, while empowering youth to develop leadership, empathy, and a deeper connection to their communities.

Marlene Raasok has dedicated decades of service to improving the lives of seniors and strengthening the communities and organizations that support them. Throughout her volunteer career, she has contributed her time, expertise, and leadership to initiatives focused on healthy aging, community wellbeing, innovation in seniors’ care, and the development of stronger supports for older adults. 

Early in her contributions, Marlene served with Abrio Health, where she chaired the Partnership Committee and Health Leaders Council and helped advance community health planning, healthy aging strategies, affordable housing initiatives, and community support hubs. She also served as a founding Board Member of the Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging, helping establish a centre dedicated to research and innovation that continues to advance the quality of seniors’ care. Today, Marlene continues to serve older Albertans through several volunteer leadership roles. 

As Chair of the Board of The Good Samaritan Society and a Board Member of the Alberta Association on Gerontology, she contributes to initiatives focused on healthy aging, continuing care, system improvement, and collaboration across the seniors sector. She has also helped advance projects such as the Futures Policy Forum, the Reimagining Aging Summit, and the Community and Continuing Care Technology Innovation Roadmap, bringing organizations together to address challenges and opportunities affecting older adults. 

In addition to her governance and leadership work, Marlene volunteers with Drive Happiness, helping older adults access services, attend appointments, and remain connected to their communities. She also mentors emerging leaders and encourages volunteerism among others. Her sustained commitment to service has strengthened supports for seniors and contributed to lasting improvements in communities across Alberta.