Imagine entering a room filled with conversation and laughter. There are pockets of people at tables, sharing snacks and playing another game of cribbage. Others are in the throes of conversation as a master storyteller is providing a breakdown of the latest adventure, they’ve been a part of. Still others are scurrying in the spirit of hospitality to make sure everyone has what they need to enjoy this time and space. As you enter and immediately wonder where your place is or if you will be invited into one of these pockets of connection, one of the greatest sounds of all interrupts your thoughts and anxiousness. That sound is someone calling your name and waving arms of welcome into their space, their conversation, into community. We long for that feeling of being welcomed, valued, and loved and we all have an opportunity to be people who allow others to experience it.

What does it mean to truly belong? At Good Samaritan, we believe that every person deserves to feel welcomed, valued, and loved. This belief is at the heart of our vision: “Being and belonging – every person, every home”. This vision has hands and feet, coming alive in the care we provide and in the lives of those on the receiving end of that care. It shapes the way we care for residents and clients, support families, and empower staff. This vision recently inspired a facility administrative assistant at Victoria Heights in New Westminster, BC, to take their break to lead a hymn sing and prayer for residents while the Chaplain was away on bereavement leave. The overflow of that choice was the sound of conversation and laughter overflowing from the chapel, symbolizing the meaning and power of this connection.

For over 76 years, Good Samaritan has been more than a provider of health – it has been a place of belonging. Whether in a long-term care home in Delta, assisted living community in Medicine Hat, or a PPDD home in Edmonton, we strive foster environments where people feel seen and known. While this is supported and driven by leadership, organizational policies & procedures, and accreditation standards, a culture of belonging is truly cultivated in the day-to-day interactions and actions and how Good Samaritan values are reflected in them. It is staff rallying around a 99-year-old resident who has no living family support. I heard recently of a coordinated effort from team members to ensure this individual felt cared for by regularly watering her plants, planning birthday celebrations for her, and making sure she has access to her favourite chocolate. This is the essence of being welcomed, valued, and loved – not mere grand gestures, but small, intentional moments that communicate dignity and care.

This culture of belonging doesn’t happen by chance; it is cultivated through these intentional actions from us all. One team member put it best: “We’re not just providing care; we’re creating a home.” This means honouring each person’s story, respecting their dignity, and ensuring that they feel truly seen.

This vision is not just for those who live and work within our homes—it’s for all of us. Families, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners all play a role in shaping an environment where every person is welcomed, valued, and loved. Whether through a kind word, a helping hand, or an ongoing commitment to compassionate care, we each have an opportunity to live out this vision.
As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our mission. Because when people feel a sense of belonging, lives are transformed. This is what it means to be part of Good Samaritan.

Forward. Together.