Seniors
Did you know?
More than 100 young leaders have graduated from the Youth Now program.
Each year, over 100 non-profit professionals attend our training opportunities.
Over two dozen non-profit organizations have participated in the Youth Now program.
The CCRR provides nearly 400 child care referrals per year.
On average, the CCRR hosts 30 workshops and training courses each year.
Every year, over 500 child care providers and parents attend CCRR training opportunities.
Every year, RCRG completes over 3,000 grocery orders for local seniors.
Nearly 300 seniors make use of our Better at Home services.
Our volunteer drivers complete more than 1,200 trips annually.
At least 350 people per year find a volunteer position using our Volunteer Match program.
Close to 500 volunteers support RCRG’s programs and services.
Volunteers contribute nearly 23,000 hours to our organization each year.
Each holiday season, the Richmond Christmas Fund helps more than 2,200 low-income residents.
Every year, the Christmas Fund provides over 600 children with toys, books, and sports equipment.
The Richmond Christmas Fund was first started by Ethel Tibbits, in the 1930s.
The number of Neighbourhood Small Grants we’ve awarded has increased every year since 2014.
Block parties are the most popular type of Neighbourhood Small Grant project.
Every year, the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre serves over 7,300 local women.
The Richmond Women’s Resource Centre currently offers 16 programs and services.
Nearly 60 volunteers support the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre, contributing nearly 2,500 hours per year.
Richmond is home to over 350 registered charities, all of which rely on volunteer support.
There are nearly 13 million volunteers across Canada.
International Volunteer Day is celebrated throughout the world on December 5.
There are 35 volunteer centres in British Columbia.
In 2016, the Foundation awarded 10 grants to non-profit organizations, worth a combined $59,000.
The Foundation manages $6 million in 60 Forever Funds, returning, on average, CPI plus 4%.
Between 2020 and 2022, the Foundation distributed $656,000 in grants, scholarships, charitable disbursements, and Emergency Community Support Funds.
Foundation activities result in the enhancement of our community and residents’ sense of belonging.
ROCA has raised over $21,000 for local charities.
ROCA has performed its Elementary School Concert Series to over 8,000 students.
ROCA provides mentoring and life changing opportunities for aspiring musicians.
The Richmond Arts Coalition was founded in November of 2005.
RAC co-produces the ArtRich exhibition every two years!
RAC highlights Richmond's arts events in a monthly email.
The Richmond Music School is the oldest not-for-profit music school in Richmond.
The Richmond Music School offers affordable music lessons through its diverse programming.
Our students performed 40 hours of music to welcome the Olympic athletes to the 2010 Olympic Games.
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Seniors Community Support Services

Helping Seniors Stay Independent Longer

It’s estimated that, by 2030, more than 85,000 Richmond residents will be over the age of 55. To ensure that their needs are met—that they have the necessary support to live independently, with dignity—we need to start today.

At Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives, we already have. In fact, we started over 30 years ago. That’s how long we’ve been providing Seniors Community Support Services. Our goal has been, and always will be, to help seniors remain independent for as long as possible, while keeping them connected to the community.

To access our services, clients must be 60 or older and reside in Richmond, though exceptions may be made for clients as young as 55 who are living with a chronic health condition. 

Clients can refer themselves to our services, or be referred by a health care professional, friend, or family member.

To register for services or request more information, call 604-279-7020.

Seniors Community Connections

For older adults and their families, we offer a free, multilingual information & referral service, called Seniors Community Connections. Our trained volunteers can help clients access a wide range of community resources, whether related to housing, healthcare, transportation, government benefits, or another area where clients have questions or need support. 

Beyond providing information, volunteers can assist with completing government forms and filing basic tax returns.

Information & referral sessions are held at our office in the Richmond Caring Place, located at 190 - 7000 Minoru Boulevard. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at 604-279-7020 or email info@rcrg.org.

SHINE Program

Available to adults aged 60+, the Seniors Housing Information and Navigation Ease program - known as SHINE - is a provincial initiative that addresses one of the biggest growing social problems: lack of secure and affordable housing.

With assistance from our Seniors Community Connections volunteers, the SHINE Housing Navigator helps clients to find and access housing supports and resources; complete housing forms and applications; and better understand topics like tenancy rights and the continuum of housing options in Richmond.

Funding for the Housing Navigator is provided by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, while the SHINE program is led by the Seniors Services Society of BC.

Social Prescribing

Social Prescribing helps older adults explore community services and activities that can improve their health, well-being, and independence.

By listening to you and understanding your situation, our Social Prescribing Community Connector can help you find the right supports, which may include:

• Guidance and encouragement on making positive life changes
• Help with housing, benefits, and financial issues
• Assistance accessing exercise and nutrition programs
• Connections to professional and peer support services
• Opportunities for community involvement

Our Social Prescribing service is available to older adults aged 60+ who are living in Richmond. Exceptions may be made for clients as young as 55 who have a chronic health condition.

If you think our Social Prescribing service can help you or someone you care for, talk to your Health Care Provider or contact our Community Connector:

Rojan Nasiri
604-242-7444
communityconnector@rcrg.org

Our Social Prescribing service is funded by the Government of BC and managed by United Way British Columbia.

Grocery Shopping and Delivery

Clients, or friends/family members on their behalf, can provide their grocery order through phone, e-mail, or fax to an RCRG staff member or Volunteer Phoner.

Groceries are shopped at:

- Seafair Safeway 8671 No 1 Road – every Tuesday and Thursday

- PriceSmart Foods 8200 Ackroyd Road – every Wednesday

- Delivery Time: 11:00am onwards

Clients must provide their grocery order at least 1-2 days in advance and before 2:00pm, with detailed information about the brand name, size, flavour, etc. Ice cream is not included for food safe reasons.

Clients must provide credit card information or store gift card for payment of groceries.

Our shopping service is co-funded by Vancouver Coastal Health—Richmond and the Province of BC, through the Better at Home program.

Senior Peer Counselling

When seniors are experiencing anxiety, frustration, or loneliness, they’re often most comfortable speaking with someone to whom they can relate. That’s why the volunteer counsellors in our Senior Peer Counselling program are all older adults themselves.

Counsellors complete a 44-hour training program before they're affiliated with Senior Peer Counselling of BC and begin seeing clients. During weekly one-one-one sessions, volunteers offer clients emotional support and help them cope with the sometimes difficult changes that come with the senior years.

All meetings are free and confidential, and can take place on the phone or in the client's home. To learn more, call 604-279-7020.

The Senior Peer Counselling program is funded by Gilmore and Courtyard Gardens.

Prescription Pick-Up and Delivery

This service is for clients whose pharmacy does not provide delivery. Clients need to have ordered and paid for their prescription before pick-up/delivery. Advanced notice of 4-5 days is required.

Richmond Family & Friend Caregiver Hub

Funded by the Province of BC and TD Bank Group, with support from the United Way and Family Caregivers of BC, our Family & Friend Caregiver Hub promotes the health and well-being of those who provide unpaid care to an older adult, whether a family member, friend, or neighbour.

Through the Hub, caregivers can access peer support, recreational and educational workshops, a resource library, and many other services.

To learn more, visit rcrg.org/caregivers.

Richmond Seniors Directory

The 2023-24 edition of the Richmond Seniors Directory is here! Published by RCRG in partnership with the Richmond News, this free resource for older adults lists hundreds of community programs and services, covering health, recreation, transportation, and more.

Printed copies are available at our office in the Richmond Caring Place, at the Minoru Centre for Active Living, and at many other locations throughout the community. You can also read the entire Directory online!

Elder Abuse Tip Sheet

Elder abuse takes many forms, and often happens out of public view. Victims seldom report it, for reasons that are entirely understandable. In cases of physical abuse, they might be scared. If they've been targeted by a financial scam, they might be embarrassed. Above all, they simply might not know where to turn, or that support even exists.

With funding from the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program, we've taken an important step in shedding light on elder abuse. Working with a team of volunteers - all older adults themselves - we've developed an Elder Abuse Tip Sheet, available in both English and Chinese.

The document identifies different types of elder abuse, and lists phone numbers that seniors can call if they need support. There's also a section on safety, outlining what seniors can do to avoid identify theft, financial fraud, and other crimes.

A digital version of the Tip Sheet can be downloaded below, while printed copies are available at our office.

Elder Abuse Tip Sheet (English) | Elder Abuse Tip Sheet (Chinese)

Richmond Better at Home

Funded by the Province of BC and managed by the United Way, the Better at Home program reduces isolation, enhances mobility, and supports independence among BC’s diverse seniors population. RCRG runs the program in Richmond.

Transportation

Our Transportation service, supported by volunteer drivers, is for medical and selected non-medical appointments within and outside Richmond. Rides are subject to volunteer’s availability. The fee is a sliding scale based on a client’s annual household income.

Friendly Visiting

free one-on-one service for seniors available in multiple languages. Designed to mitigate social isolation and promote community connection. Friendly visits occur once a week in the client’s home or over the phone. Duration of the call/visit depends on client and volunteer. 

Light Housekeeping

This service, offered in partnership with professional contractors, helps seniors maintain safe and healthy homes. The fee is a sliding scale based on a client’s annual household income. There is currently a waiting list for subsidized services. Clients must provide their own cleaning supplies and use environmentally friendly cleaning solutions.

 

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Better at Home is funded by the Government of British Columbia and managed by the United Way.

Become a Volunteer

Our Seniors Community Support Services are themselves supported by an incredible team of volunteers—a team we’d love for you to join! Opportunities are available as volunteer grocery shoppers, drivers, and friendly visitors, just to name a few.

Visit our online database for a list of current postings, or call 604-279-7020 for more information.