From Camp Kid to Community Connector: Meet Alex   

She remembers being eight years old, scrambling up the rock-climbing wall at summer camp. Back then, Parkgate was a place to play. Now, it’s a place of purpose, both for Alex and the seniors she supports in her role as Parkgate Society’s Community Connector. Growing up on the North Shore, Alex’s childhood was shaped by nature, team sports, and a love for the outdoors. Whether it was field hockey games or hiking local trails, she learned early on about the value of connection.

For Alex, it was a personal journey that led her into community work. “I always knew I wanted to be in a helping profession,” she says. “But it wasn’t until I faced some health challenges of my own that I realized how complicated and frustrating navigating our systems can be.” That experience sparked something. She wanted to be someone who could help others find their way, someone who could take a daunting system and make it feel a little more human.

While studying at Simon Fraser University, Alex was introduced to the concept of social prescribing, a growing strategy in healthcare that recognizes how vital connection and community are to our well-being. She was drawn to the idea of working with seniors, inspired in part by her close relationship with her grandmother. “She has four kids, and still, even with all that support, it was hard. It opened my eyes to just how tough it can be to age well without the right services in place.”

That insight turned into action. Alex joined Parkgate as a practicum student, shadowing staff, building relationships, and sitting with seniors in their homes, listening to their stories. “I think listening is the most important first step,” she says. “It helps ensure each participant feels cared for and that their individual needs are understood and supported.”

Now, as Parkgate Society’s Community Connector, Alexandra is doing just that. Sitting down with seniors and caregivers, hearing their stories, and helping them connect with programs, resources, and services that support their well-being. That might mean helping with a tricky form or finding that right person to talk to at an organization. What makes her work different? It’s personal, it’s patient, and it doesn’t end with a referral. “We don’t just hand someone a list of services and walk away,” Alex says. “We follow up. We check in. We help them take those next steps.” And that’s what seniors can expect when they connect with her. Not just a one-time meeting, but an ongoing relationship built on trust and care. 

When she’s not working, Alex can be found hiking forest trails with her dog, a Shepherd-Poodle mix named Luna. So, if you’re a senior and you’re feeling stuck, isolated, or unsure of what’s out there, Alex and Parkgate Society are here to help.

You can contact Alex at:
604.735.3625
[email protected] 

Or visit Social Prescribing to learn more.