Our Mission



North Shore Volunteers for Seniors (NSVS) is a non-profit society.  Established in 1961, it promotes the independence and well-being of elderly and isolated seniors.


Since its inception, the organization has grown and changed, adapting to different financial and societal conditions.


However, throughout this time it has maintained its original mandate of promoting the independence and well-being of the elderly, in particular isolated seniors on the North Shore.


 
 

Volunteers


North Shore Volunteers for Seniors could not exist without its volunteers. We have approximately 100 volunteers working countless hours in our various programs and for the organization in general. Approximately 75% of the volunteers dedicate about two hours a week to our programs, and as many as half of the volunteers are concentrated in our one-on-one visiting program. Others help out with small maintenance jobs, gardening, and many other things. And, of course, our drop-in centre volunteers are essential for our

programs. The volunteers are truly the lifeblood of the organization which is run by a Board of Directors, also all volunteers.


Board of Directors


The Board of Directors includes a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and about 10 Directors at large. As mentioned previously, all of these are unpaid positions and Board members donate their time for monthly Board meetings and several special events throughout the year. The Board members have been instrumental in keeping the organization running since 1961.


Staff


Two part-time employees (the Executive Director and the Volunteer Coordinator) make up the permanent staff of North Shore Volunteers for Seniors.  With funding from the federal government, we usually employ a student through the summer months.


Fundraising


The Executive Director is in charge of fundraising, among other things, to ensure the continued existence of the organization. This is becoming more and more difficult as more people compete for less and less resources. Our main sponsors are Vancouver Coastal Health and the Provincial Government’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch. Other funders include the three municipalities on the North Shore, a number of service organizations, businesses, and individual donors.


As a registered charity, NSVS is able to issue tax receipts for qualifying donations.


Collaborative Activities


NSVS regularly participates in network meetings around the North Shore in order to stay informed on current issues and challenges and to find new and better ways to collaborate in the quest of providing a better quality of life for our seniors.


NSVS & HomeCare West are community partners working together to improve the care & lives of Seniors on the North Shore.