Board of Directors

Carol Dickson is the Manager of Senior Community Support Services at RCRG. She brings a strong background in Volunteer Management and Community Programming, with 28 years of experience in outreach programs for older adults, including 16 years at RCRG. 

Carol is dedicated to fostering volunteer-driven initiatives that not only support seniors but also enrich the lives of volunteers, creating meaningful and lasting community connections.

Grace Hann has over 20 years of experience supporting seniors through advocacy, education, and peer counselling. For more than 11 years, she has served as the lead trainer for the Community Support Services programs at The Jewish Seniors Alliance, where she develops and leads impactful training initiatives.

She has also created senior peer counselling programs across the Lower Mainland and facilitated training for immigrant seniors at the Immigrant Senior Services Society. A former President of Senior Peer Counselling of BC (SPCBC), Grace continues to contribute as past President

Lorna Harding serves as Treasurer for the Regional Seniors Peer Counselling of BC and is the Senior Peer Support Coordinator for North Shore Vancouver. In her role, Lorna screens and supports volunteers who receive comprehensive training to provide emotional support, resource information, and guidance to clients navigating life changes and challenges.

She oversees a free, confidential, one-on-one support service available in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for a diverse community. Lorna is committed to fostering meaningful connections and enhancing the well-being of seniors through compassionate peer support.

Charles Leibovitch, originally from Montreal, comes from a family of social workers and artists. Inspired by his mother, he pursued a career in social work, and like his father, he has a passion for art and music. Charles enjoys sharing his father’s legacy of original oil paintings and performs jazz standards and pop tunes at community events.

In 2011, Charles founded the current Community Support Services at Jewish Seniors Alliance. He takes great pride in the growth of peer support and friendly visiting programs, which have positively impacted the lives of many seniors.

Meeka Marsolais is the Manager of Community Services at the West End Seniors’ Network. She holds a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Gerontology from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Communication.

With a deep passion for addressing social isolation and loneliness among older adults, Meeka is dedicated to fostering community connections and celebrating aging. She also hosts “Talking Aging,” a monthly radio show and podcast on Vancouver Coop Radio.

Miguel Méndez holds a Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology, a Master’s in Family Therapy, and recently completed a two-year psychology program at Langara College. He is committed to supporting older adults and vulnerable communities in Canada.

As Senior Peer Support Coordinator and Trainer for The Jewish Seniors Alliance, Miguel leads volunteer training and develops effective support networks. He also coordinates the Peer Support program at the West End Seniors’ Network (WESN). In addition, he facilitates bi-weekly mental health discussions at The Gathering Place and offers online therapy through Psycolocity, a platform he founded to provide accessible mental health support across Latin America.

Larry Shapiro, originally from Montreal, has built a career defined by leadership and community service. After completing his education at Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University), he pursued roles in accounting, entrepreneurship, and real estate. He co-founded a coin-operated photocopying business and later established Larry Shapiro Realties, a successful real estate brokerage, before retiring in 2013 and moving to Vancouver.

In Vancouver, Larry has been actively involved in various organizations, serving as president of the Jewish Seniors Alliance (JSA) and Senior Peer Counselling of British Columbia (SPCBC), vice president of Maple Crest Housing Society, and president and chair of the Abbeyfield Houses of Vancouver Society. His leadership and dedication continue to enrich the communities he serves.