From Data to Dignity: How Project Impact Healthy Aging is Transforming Support for Older Adults in BC. 

On June 4th, the Collingwood Neighbourhood House Annex in Vancouver buzzed with energy and inspiration as non-profit community leaders, government representatives, seniors, and seniors-serving agency partners gathered for this year’s Project Impact Healthy Aging Showcase. Held during BC Seniors Week, the event featured eight Community-Based Seniors’ Services (CBSS) sector agencies from across British Columbia, each sharing the outcomes of their participation in United Way BC’s Project Impact Healthy Aging initiative. 

After months of evaluation and reflection, these dedicated teams presented insights that will help them improve their programs and better serve older adults in their communities. The Showcase wasn’t just a presentation – it was a celebration of collaboration, innovation, and the unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of BC’s aging population. 

What is Project Impact Healthy Aging? 

At the heart of the Showcase is Project Impact Healthy Aging (PIHA) – a transformative, 8-month developmental evaluation course offered annually by United Way BC. Tailored to members of the CBSS sector, the program equips teams within organizations with the tools, training, and coaching needed to evaluate and enhance their impact on older adults. 

_{^{Teams taking part in a session at this year’s Project Impact Healthy Aging.}} 

Through a blend of in-person and virtual sessions, each team selects a program or service area to evaluate. With expert coaching and support from Dialogues in Action, teams learn to collect meaningful data, determine findings, and communicate impact that can lead to innovative, data-informed program changes. The course not only strengthens individual programs—it builds long-term evaluation capacity within organizations. 

Why Participate? 

For CBSS sector agencies, PIHA presents a valuable opportunity to invest in staff development – at no cost. The program enhances team capacity through accessible, high-quality professional training. It also strengthens an agency’s ability to collect and use data effectively – supporting reporting to funders, engaging with community, and demonstrating meaningful impact. 

For agency team members, PIHA offers more than just training. It’s a chance to build connections across the sector and grow professionally. The program is designed to be inclusive and practical, welcoming participants with both lived and learned experience – no formal prerequisites required. Plus, it’s a strong addition to any resume, helping individuals stand out in the CBSS sector. 

2024/2025 Participating Organizations and Programs 

^{A group photo of the 2025 Project Impact Healthy Aging 2025 participants at this year’s Showcase.} 

• BC Alliance for Arts + Culture – Arts on Prescription BC (ARTx) 
• Castlegar Community Services – The West Kootenay Volunteer Driver Program 
• Cedar Grove Church – Generational Ministries 
• COSCO Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of B.C. – Senior’s Health and Wellness Institute Society 
• Dignity Seniors Society – We are Familee 
• Lower Similkameen Community Services Society – The Seniors’ Supportive Housing Program 
• Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society – Health Urgent Guide Services (H.U.G.S.) 
• Sunshine Coast Resource Centre – Community Information Hub 

Building Connection Through Support: A Project Impact Story 

^{The Sunshine Coast Resource Centre team at a Project Impact Healthy Aging session.} 

Karla Shields, Operations Team Lead at Sunshine Coast Resource Centre, joined Project Impact with a goal: to better understand how their Community Information Hub could empower seniors to navigate essential services independently. But what she and her team discovered went far beyond their expectations.  

“We thought we were going to prove that we were giving seniors resources so that they could go out and navigate the systems of programs, services and resources in the community with autonomy, increasing their stability and security,” Karla shared. 
“What we found out is that the work that we do with our clients is deeply relational… we were creating a support system for our clients that created a connection to their community through us.” 

This insight reshaped their understanding of impact. Rather than simply providing information, the Community Information Hub became a trusted bridge—connecting seniors not just to services, but to a sense of belonging and community. 

Karla believes this learning holds valuable lessons for other non-profits: “Not all seniors have great support systems behind them and that seniors themselves don’t want to necessarily spend their resources learning to navigate systems on their own. In fact, what they want is to have somebody that they can have to help support them side by side, moving through the process together with them. 

Human Connection at the Heart of Impact 

Other Project Impact participants echoed similar insights: that human connection is central to meaningful service. 

^{Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society program.} 

Laura Wong, Guide with Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society, reflected: 

“Project Impact helped us to prove that we are establishing really positive relationships and positive outcomes with our clients… It’s that human connection element that it reinforces, that is so necessary in any seniors’ outreach’. 

Her team now hopes to expand their reach to more Japanese Canadian seniors, building on the trust and relationships they’ve cultivated. 

Carolyn Clare, Research Manager at the BC Alliance for Arts and Culture, shared how Project Impact broadened their perspective: 

“We are now thinking about arts and culture in a more holistic way… not only about the programs that we’re offering, but also about hunger, about food accessibility, accessibility in terms of disabilities, language barriers, transportation—just the broader barriers that bring isolated seniors into isolation in the first place.”  

Lisa Flex, Manager of Operations at the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society, emphasized a shift in how they measure success: 

“We always learn that you want to have your numbers – how many people participated, how many people rate your program. But analyzing that shift in people and how they feel was a big eye opener for us.”  

Advice for Future Participants

^{Dignity Seniors Society presenting at this year’s Showcase event.}  

For organizations considering Project Impact, Karla Shields offers this encouragement: 

“I’d say its definitely worth it. It’s a large scope project that’s done in a condensed amount of time, but the results happen immediately… It gives you the insight into what you actually need to focus on to create the biggest impact—which is what we’re all here to do… create impact with our clients and the people that we serve.” 

Looking Ahead: United for Seniors in Need 

With BC’s senior population steadily rising, the need for responsive, community-based support has never been more urgent. Initiatives like Project Impact Healthy Aging—made possible through the partnership of United Way BC, the Province of BC, and the CBSS sector—are vital. They don’t just support programs; they empower organizations to evolve, adapt, and lead with impact. 

^{Susie Chant, MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long-Term Care, visitng with Project Impact Healthy Aging teams at this year’s Showcase event.}  

A heartfelt thank you to our 2024/2025 Project Impact Healthy Aging cohort for their dedication to improving the lives of seniors across BC. Your commitment to reflection, learning, and innovation is helping shape a stronger, more connected future for older adults. 

To learn more about Project Impact Healthy Aging: Healthy Aging Programs for Seniors | United Way BC 

Interested in participating in Project Impact Healthy Aging? Contact us at: learn@uwbc.ca