News

On November 14th, 2024, business leader Annette Verschuren and VON President and CEO Jo-Anne Poirier co-hosted a special reception in support of VON Connect, powered by AlayaCare, VON’s digital health transformation project. The event, held at the Verity Women’s Club in Toronto, was also made possible by the generous support of sponsor Desjardins.

Last year, Ms. Verschuren accepted the role of VON Connect ambassador, recognizing the need for increased home and community care supports to enable the growing population of Canadian seniors to age in place.

“As Canadians age, they are requiring home care supports to enable independent living, and done well, this approach reduces healthcare costs per capita,” says Ms. Verschuren, who has also made a personal commitment to the fundraising campaign. “We need to look beyond solutions such as hospitals and long-term care homes and transform how we can live safely at home for longer.”

VON Connect, powered by AlayaCare, has been developed specifically for home and community care and customized to suit VON’s unique needs. It has a range of innovative features that will transform the way we provide care. With its client record, scheduling and education functions, it will help our teams work more efficiently and communicate more effectively.

 “As a charity, VON relies on donors to bring care to more people in need. With the help of donors and volunteers, they are able to deliver nourishing meals to vulnerable neighbours, provide transportation services so people can get to essential appointments, offer companionship to the lonely and give caregivers much-need respite opportunities,” says Ms. Verschuren, an Officer of The Order of Canada and Chancellor of Cape Breton University. She hopes to encourage more people to become “VON Connectors,” supporting this critical transformation project.

“I can’t thank Annette enough for her belief in VON’s mission and for her work and influence to inform others about the need for increased technology in the home and community care sector,” says Ms. Poirier. “Her commitment has gone a long way to helping us continue this very important journey to serve more Canadians in their homes and communities.”

For more information, or to donate, please visit the VON Connect campaign page on our website.

Pictured above (left to right): Lancelot Lambert, Regional Vice President, Business Development, Desjardins; Valerie Carter, VON Vice President, Engagement & Philanthropy; Darran Frisby, Director, Transversal Business Development, Desjardins; Annette Verschuren, Chair and CEO of NRStor Inc.; Jo-Anne Poirier, VON President & CEO; Monique Porlier, Board Chair, VON Canada Board of Directors.