Transit System: Fort St. John
Seniors have been one of the most severely impacted groups throughout the pandemic, due not only to their vulnerable health, but the isolation most have experienced. But in Fort St. John, the Peace Country Transit team did everything they could to support area seniors and lift their spirits in the face of COVID-19.
Like every transit team across the province, Peace Country Transit employees have shouldered a heavy load for the past 18 months – managing their work schedules, balancing their own health with the need to support their community and adapting to shifting strategies throughout the pandemic. But their efforts didn’t stop there, as they also participated in a community service group called the COVID-19 Seniors Task Force.
This group, comprised of community leaders from a variety of industries, carried out a number of initiatives to support seniors in Fort St. John. Their efforts ranged from delivering prescriptions, preparing meals, arranging transportation to even calling and checking in with seniors over the holidays. The Peace Country Transit team played a major role in much of this work, even organizing city tour trips so seniors could still get out and safely see and experience their communities.
“With senior’s centres closing and no activities happening for older members of our community, the task force really worked together to brainstorm ways we could help improve their lives,” said Denis Litvinov, General Manager, Peace Country Transit. “One of the most rewarding things our transit team took part in is something called ‘Forever Flowers’ where we delivered flowers to seniors to brighten their days.”
The local schools got involved, with students spending time making cards to be given with the flowers, and the Peace Country Transit team took part in delivering the gifts to seniors and spent time talking with them. Some of the flowers were delivered to Peace Villa, which is a long-term care facility attached to the Fort St. John hospital.
The personal connection the transit team has made with these vulnerable members of their community has not only impacted the seniors, but has also enriched their lives with a dose of positivity at a time when it was hard to come by.
“We received a phone call from one of the seniors who had flowers delivered by one of our drivers,” said Denis Litvinov. “She wanted to tell us how touched she was that someone had thought of her and spent time with her, and said if she was a little richer she would take the driver out for ice cream. It was really nice.”
While the COVID-19 Seniors Task Force and the Peace Country Transit team weren’t looking for accolades, they received the Mayor’s Citizen of the Year Award as part of the Fort St. John Community Awards in April. Their work hasn’t stopped, as they continue to look for ways to support seniors and vulnerable community members through COVID-19 and beyond.
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