Connect Communities

08/31/2026

From Prince George to Parksville 🌲🌊

The countdown to CONNECT Parksville continues, and we’re excited to welcome Danielle Dobson as our new People Resource Coach! 💙

After an incredible 10 years with Classic LifeCare in Prince George, Danielle is bringing her experience, passion for people, and love of meaningful connections to this exciting new chapter with CONNECT.

For Danielle, the move to Vancouver Island is both professional and personal — bringing her closer to family and friends, a new community to call home, and, of course, the ocean!

We’re so excited to have Danielle with us and can’t wait to see the connections she’ll build in Parksville.

Welcome to CONNECT, Danielle! Here’s to new beginnings and exciting adventures ahead! ✨

08/10/2026

Just two months until we open the doors of CONNECT Parksville! 📍

Last week, CONNECT Communities owner and CFO, John Sherwood, stopped by our newest location in Parksville and shared a few photos of the incredible progress being made. 📸

Drywall is up, cabinets are in, and the rooms are starting to look like what they will be: welcoming homes for people rebuilding their lives after brain injury or stroke.

CONNECT Parksville will offer publicly funded bedrooms in partnership with Island Health, as well as privately funded bedrooms, giving Island families and referral partners an option for accessing specialized rehabilitation support directly.

If you know someone who needs more than outpatient rehabilitation but is not a candidate for long-term care, now is the time to start the conversation.

The countdown is on! 💙🏡

07/22/2026

Some journeys are worth taking, especially when they lead you closer to purpose. 💙

This summer, Jocelyne Boileau made a coast-to-coast move, travelling from Ontario to British Columbia, to join us as CONNECT Parksville’s Leader of People, Culture and Services.

Bringing years of leadership experience and a passion for supporting communities, Jocelyne was drawn to CONNECT’s mission of helping people redesign their lives and live them to the fullest.

We’re so excited to welcome Jocelyne to our team and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make in our Parksville community!

Read Jocelyne’s story and what inspired her cross-country journey to CONNECT on our website: https://www.connectcommunities.ca/stories/connect-enticed-jocelyne-to-move-across-the-country-to-help-redesign-lives-in-parksville-bc

07/16/2026

What a wonderful way to celebrate a milestone! ☀️💙

On July 14, we came together to celebrate one incredible year of CONNECT Saanich Peninsula. Surrounded by the people we support, their families, our coaches, partners from the Brain Injury Program, members of the SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) First Nation, and friends of CONNECT, the day was filled with laughter, connection, and gratitude.

Over the past year, we've watched a community grow - one where people are empowered to rediscover their strengths, build meaningful relationships, and create new possibilities after brain injury and stroke. Celebrating this journey together was a beautiful reminder of what can happen when people come together with compassion, encouragement, and a shared sense of purpose.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our first chapter. We can't wait to see what the years ahead will bring!

Read more about our one-year celebration and the journey so far:
https://www.connectcommunities.ca/stories/connect-saanich-peninsula-celebrates-one-year-of-life-redesign

05/12/2026

Turning hardship into hope. Read about BJ's dream to make lives better for others.

BJ, who lives at CONNECT Saanich Peninsula, is studying to become a Peer Support Worker. He wants to use his lived experience after brain injury to help others.

05/11/2026

Read about Gonzalo's CONNECT journey from Life Redesign Coach to Service Access and Transitions Leader.
https://www.connectcommunities.ca/news/gonzalo-is-on-the-move-with-the-life-redesign-model?fbclid=IwY2xjawRvKmBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFOWEpqNVJzR2o4dWx4ZEdZc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsicD-AzdL0QTK8f3SZb4cngqdg73korDWrWVAoC3TIWgZPMfNSLGed3kAtf_aem_9Uw0ggL2Kim6i8-GxeUNZA

Gonzalo Silva is CONNECT Parksville’s Service Access and Transitions Leader. Starting as a Life Redesign Life Coach, he then moved into the role of Service Resource Coach. Now he takes on a leadership role in Parkville.

05/06/2026

Life Redesign Coach Colin Wiehe went from Langley to Saanich Peninsula to help people redesign their lives after brain injury and stroke.

Life Redesign Coach Colin has a new outlook on life because of the people he supports at CONNECT Saanich Peninsula.

05/05/2026

An inspired group of people living at CONNECT Saanich Peninsula joined Mental Wellness Coach Jacob and Active Living Coach Joseph for a wellness session on Thursday.

01/14/2026

Michael from CONNECT Langley is excited to share that he'll be taking part in the Stair Climb for Lung Health, the Climb the Wall Event on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, where he will take on all 739 stairs (48 storeys) to raise funds for the BC Lung Foundation.

Michael says "As a TBI survivor, this climb is personal. It's a way to celebrate progress, push my limits, and hopefully inspire others facing their own challenges.

Our team, Neurons in Motion, has set a fundraising goal of $5,000 to support lung health research, education, and community programs across BC. Whether you choose to climb with us, donate, or help spread the word, your support truly makes a difference.

If you'd like to join our team, you can sign up here:
https://secure3.convio.net/bclung/site/TR?fr_id=1150&pg=entry
(One the page opens, the bottom of the screen, click on "join an existing team, and enter the team name Neurons in Motion. Each participant is encouraged to raise $225 for the BC Lung Foundation, and there is a $5 registration fee.)

If you're unable to participate, you can support our team, Neurons in Motion, by donating through the link above, and clicking on donate and entering our team name.

I've also included a short video that gives a great overview of the event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR1OEfqNo7s

Thank you for your support and encouragement.

Your friend,
Michael

11/12/2025

A little look back at some festive activities from October. From our annual trip to Davison's Orchard to pumpkin carving and our Halloween lunch. A lot of fun has been had this fall.