KAY’S PLACE
The Community Hub For West End Seniors

The West End Seniors’ Network (WESN) offers many programs, activities, and services, but none so indispensable to the elders in our community than Kay’s Place in Denman Mall.

Named for Kay Stovold (1911-2001) who was a longtime West End advocate for seniors and people with disabilities, and co-founder and former president of WESN, Kay’s Place is a storefront portal to those many programs, and a comfortable place for seniors to drop-in, chat with peers, and learn more about the services available to them.

Kay’s Place co-manager Alan Stamp with administrative assistant Brittanny Dzioba and volunteer Indira Riadi.

Information and referral through WESN help match individuals with the resources they need, and trained volunteers work with older adults to address their needs.

Housing is a major concern as we age, and Kay’s Place staff can provide information on housing options and support to assist with finding and maintaining appropriate housing. From subsidized rental housing, support with landlord and property manager issues, accessing the Vancouver Rent Bank, dealing with various government departmental paperwork, providing information about companion housing and residential care, as well as other housing related matters, Kay’s Place is where to find help.

Seniors needing peer support in coping with life stressors such as illness, mild depression, isolation, and loss can find experienced and trained adult volunteers who offer confidential emotional support. The donor-based Seniors In Need Fund can provide financial aid in times of trouble.

Kay’s Place offers a safe and comfortable space for all these and other services, and a central location to pick up a copy of WESN’s information-rich monthly newsletter, make a donation, become a member of WESN, or renew your annual membership.

Kay’s place is co-managed by Alan Stamp and Susan Paré. Susan focusses on housing issues and services, a particularly hot topic these days. Alan, with a degree in psychology and a forty-year background in family therapy, has been a peer support volunteer at WESN for the past nine years, and has co-managed Kay’s Place for the past two.

Responding to concerns around plans to close St. Paul’s Advocacy Office in March, Alan points out that “we don’t really do advocacy work here, but we will be able to help refer seniors in need to other advocacy services and provide them with some of the information they need to navigate the system.”

In a neighborhood with a large and often long-time resident senior population, Kay’s Place is, as noted above, indispensable. If you’re a senior (55+) drop by and check it out. If you aren’t a senior, but care about the needs of our elders, make a donation or volunteer. Or both!

Kay’s Place
Denman Place Mall
604.669.7339